The problem surfaced at a council meeting last November at the church I was serving in Daytona Beach.  As we were going over every line item in the budget, we noticed that giving was down from the previous year and we would be facing a shortfall for 2010.  Several members on council stressed the need for us as a church to get serious about evangelism and bring more people into church.  I assumed that the reason for increased attendance at church was so that the new members could help us meet our expenses.  We needed to get more warm bodies in the pews on Sunday morning so that they could help us pay our bills.  I believe I may have been on target in making that assumption because that is what I believed myself for far too many years.

Often the distinction between evangelism and membership recruitment is blurred.  It is implied at times that evangelism is successful only when it results in membership growth.  It is even suggested that the chief purpose of the church is to get bigger.  If it does, then it has good evangelism.  If it doesn’t, then something is lacking in its evangelism.  But that simply is not true.  Evangelism does not always mean adding new members to the roll, nor does adding members make a church faithful to its evangelistic task.

In case that sounds a bit confusing, let me put it another way.  Evangelism is the effort to bring all people into harmony with God and neighbor.  People can be restored to that harmony without belonging to a church, without even being Christian.  The church is one way God is getting the restorative work of evangelism done.  The church recruits members in order to do that work better.  Membership recruitment is not a goal but a means for achieving a goal.

So don’t get down on yourself if Nativity Lutheran is not growing by leaps and bounds.  Evangelism is simply proclaiming to all people the good news of God’s loving presence.  People respond to it in different ways.  But how they respond in no way determines whether or not good news has been preached to them.  The good news is preached.  The response is up to them.  Preaching the good news about God’s closeness to the world and his love for all people through his son Jesus Christ is the task of every baptized Christian.  This is most certainly true.

Blessings,

Interim Pastor Jim

Thank you for responding to our request for donations for the Food Pantry at St. John’s Lutheran in Lake Park.  The shelves are getting bare as more and more families are asking to be fed.  Please bring your donations of non-perishable food items for the food cart (St. John’s) in the Loggia.  Suggested food items are 100% juice drink boxes, jars of baby food, granola bars, trail mix, spaghetti sauces and pastas, rice, beans, macaroni & cheese, canned or jarred fruit, canned meat & vegetables.

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach

This organization began in 2003 and is dedicated to providing monthly “We Care” packages & letters to our U.S. Troops deployed around the world.  The Alzheimer’s Community Care Center in our Fellowship Hall has become an official drop off site for donations.  Items that are needed are:  phone cards, sample size toiletries, powdered drink mix (individual size), non-perishable food items, snack food, gum, hard candy, energy bars, beef jerky, AA & AAA batteries, sun block and lip protection, nuts, trail mixes, bug repellent, disposable cameras and body wipes.  Letters and cards are welcomed.

Donations can be dropped off in the Fellowship Hall Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm.  If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may go to www.forgottensoldiers.org or mail your check to :

        Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc.

       3550 23rd Ave. South, Suite 7

        Lake Worth, FL  33461

Women’s LOVE CIRCLE

Love Circle will meet Monday, September 13 at 9:30 am in the loggia.  All women are welcome.

Band of Brothers

Watch for updates on the men’s group, Band of Brothers. 

Sandwich Making

Meet in Nativity’s Fellowship Hall to make sandwiches and bag cookies for homeless ministry the third Saturday of each month.  Next get together, September 18 at 9am.

Tabitha’s Hand

Meets in loggia on Fridays at 10 am to share fellowship while crocheting or knitting lap blankets for nursing home patients.

Bible & Bagels

Thursday 9 am, meet in the loggia for coffee, bagels and fellowship as we read together the coming Sunday’s scripture lessons and pray for each other’s needs.

GoodSearch/GoodShop

Supporting Nativity can be as simple as using GoodSearch as your search engine on your computer.  List Nativity Lutheran Church and School as your charity of choice and the school receives a check each time you use it.  Purchase items online through the GoodShop site and Nativity receives a percentage of most items.  For more details and/or a toolbar download for easier use, please contact Kari at nativitypbg@bellsouth.net or 622-4998.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in becoming a member of Nativity, you are invited to join Pastor Jim on two Sundays for an hour long orientation.  The first part will be held on September 12 at 9:15 a.m. in the sanctuary and the second part will be October 3 at the same time.  On Sunday, October 10, if you choose to join the Nativity Family, you will be received during either service. 

Please come and bring a friend!

Ministry Fair & Brunch

Our annual Ministry Fair is a special time to learn of all our Ministries to serve God and others and will be held September 19 & 26.  Please consider how you would be able to give of your time and talents and fill out the blue “Opportunity” sheet with those positions. 

There will be a brunch on September 19 at 9:15 to kick off the fair.  Coffee and pastries will be served in the fellowship hall by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  If you would like to bring an egg dish to share, please sign up in the loggia. 

Adult Forum Returns

Pastor Jim will be holding an Adult Forum between services at 9:15 in the sanctuary starting October 17.  He will start by discussing the proposed social statement on genetics.  You can obtain this draft by going to www.elca.org or going to pbnativity.com and clicking on the ELCA link.  Everyone is invited to participate.

If anyone is interested in presenting a particular forum, please speak to Pastor Jim. 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer, or as we call it at Nativity, S.O.A.P. starts the 2010-2011 season on Sunday, October 31 at 9.a.m.  S.O.A.P. is our monthly Sunday morning program for children ages 3 through 5th grade.  Similar to a Vacation Bible School,  S.O.A.P. helps our children discover the wonder of God’s love in lots of fun and exciting ways.   

Come join the fun and bring a friend. 

Nativity’s Seventh Annual Golf Benefit

Saturday, November 13, grab your clubs and your friends and join us at Binks Forest Golf Course.  There will be a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. with a banquet to follow.  All proceeds benefit Nativity Lutheran School.

You may attend the banquet even if you are not a golfer.  Brochures will be in the mail soon with all the details.

We will also be having a silent auction and raffle.  If you have anything to donate, can help collect donations or would like to help with this in any way, please contact Scott Powers at 309-7925 or Kari at the church office, 622-4998.

Mark you calendars!

Tues. 8-31

Wed. 9-1

10am Children’s Chapel

7:00 pm  Worship with Pastor Jim

Thurs. 9-2

9:00 am Bible & Bagels with Pastor Jim

7 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

Fri. 9-3

9:00 am  Bulletin Assembly

Sat. 9-4

Sun. 9-5

8:00 & 10:30 am   Worship

August 15        Parent Orientation/ Teacher Meet & Greet

August 17        First day of School 

September 6    No School – Labor Day

September 9     No School – Teacher Work Day

September 20    Catalog Fund Raiser Kick Off

October 4,         8:45 am  Annual Blessing of the Animals

October TBA       Picture Day J

October 15       No School – Teacher Work Day

October 29       Costume Parade 

November TBA       Annual Thanksgiving Feast

November 2        No School – Teacher Work Day

November 24-26  Thanksgiving Break  

December 6-10      Scholastic Book Fair

December 15     Annual Christmas Program 7 p.m.

December 20 – Jan.3   Christmas Break 

January 6          Burning of the Greens / Epiphany 

January 17         No School – M.L. King’s Birthday  

February 1         VPK Registration beginns

February 21        No School – Teacher Work Day

March1               Fall Registration begins

March 14-21        Spring Break

April 4-8            Scholastic Spring Book Fair

April 18             Summer Camp Registration begins 

April 22-25         Easter (Good Friday and Easter Monday)

May 27            “End Of The Year” Ceremony  Last Day of School 

Have a great 2010-2011 school term

Backpack                         1

Pencil Box                       1

Lunchbox                        1 (if staying past noon)

Smock                               1 paint shirt (old t-shirts work great)

Change of Clothes         (1) in Ziploc Bag labeled

Disposable Camera        1

Stickers Any

Craft Supplies Construction paper, cloth, buttons, poster board

Elmer’s or Crayola Glue Sticks (PreK 2) Fat Sticks 2

(PreK3)  Fat Sticks 8 – 12

(VPK)    Fat Sticks 8 – 12

Elmer’s white school glue -2 bottles

Crayola Crayons (PreK 2) Fat, 8 Count 2 boxes,

(PreK 3) Standard 12 count, 2 boxes

(VPK)     Standard 12-24 count, 2 boxes

Markers Crayola 8 Count, 2 boxes

Water-color set 1

#2 Pencils (PreK 2 & 3)  Fat, 2 – (VPK) Standard 6 pack

Blunt-tip child’s scissors -1

Pad of Paper Beginner Ruled (dotted middle line)

Notebook/Journal Beginner Ruled (dotted middle line)

2-pocket folders 2 (VPK Only)

Classroom Supplies and ongoing WISH LIST !!

Anti-Bacterial Hand Sanitizer-1 bottle

Cleaning Wipes        boxes – Lysol or Clorox

Band-Aids                 1 box

Tissues                       1 box

Baby Wipes              2 boxes

Lysol Spray             1 can

Paper Towels          2 rolls

We are always in need of all items listed above.  If you can help out with extra items….we would appreciate it very much!!!!       

Thank you.

The Nativity Staff

 Your child’s first day of school is Tuesday, August 17, 2010.

Our Parent Orientation/ Teacher “Meet and Greet” will be held on

Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 10:30 am.(Worship time)

We will start with the installation of our Teachers during our church service. After the service you have the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and see the classroom in our learning rich environment.  Please join us for this special occasion to celebrate with your child’s teacher the commitment to excellence in early childhood education.

 As you shop for your child, please take a look at the “Supply List” for the School…You can find it online by visiting pbnativity.com or there is an insert at the back of this newsletter.

Uniforms…are mandatory at Nativity.  Please refer to Harris Uniform, located at 4152 Blue Heron Blvd., Suite 118, Riviera Beach, FL 33404/Phone 561-881-8689/Fax 561/881-7585…for all your child’s/children’s uniform needs.  As a reminder, for your child’s safety and, in accordance with licensing standards, please do not send your child in open toe shoes.  Sneakers or other comfortable shoes are great.

All children need to have a current Physical and Immunization Form on file to attend school.

Nativity Lutheran Church and School charges an annual tuition.  For your convenience, it is payable in ten monthly payments.  Tuition is due on the first of each month – starting August 1^st and ending May 1^st.  A delinquency fee of $30 will be added on the 10^th of the month for any remaining balance.  Your child/children can return to school upon reconciliation of your account.  We accept payments in the form of cash, check or money order.  Checks and money orders are made payable to Nativity Lutheran Church & School.

Please do not hesitate to call me at 561-622-4998 or e-mail me at pia@pbnativity.com, if you have any questions. Thank you again for entrusting your child/children into our care.  It is an honor to guide them by the light of Christ.

 Sincerely,

 Pia Heiser

 Director of School

Join Nancy Steffen in Nativity’s Fellowship Hall. Learn how to make 500+ Ham & Cheese or Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches—In one hour or less!

Restocking The Food Pantry at St. John’s Every Day–All Month

Thank you for your donations of at least one cart full of groceries each week.

Quicker cooking items are preferred: Rice; Dry Beans—Red, Black; Mac & Cheese; Rice A Roni, Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Pork & Beans, and Nutritious Breakfast Cereals, etc. Canned vegetables are welcome. However, the “Green Bean Fairy” has overstocked the pantry! So think of collard greens, mustard greens, whole kernel corn, etc.. Granola bars and 100% individual sized juices are a big hit with the kids.

Look for “Buy One, Get one Free”. Keep one for your family & donate the other; or, donate both. If you don’t shop for groceries and want to help, write a check to Nativity, or give cash (designate St. John Food Pantry) and your donation will buy food to restock the pantry shelves. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.

Collecting for Haiti

You may donate dry foods, medical supplies, linens, clothing, shoes (new and used), walkers, canes, crutches and anything else you think they may need.  You may drop supplies off anytime during the week, 8am-5:30pm or on Sunday 8am-12pm.   We will provide you with a gift receipt if requested.

Alzheimer’s Community Care Needs Volunteers

As you know, hurricanes can be devastating and stressful for everyone, especially for individuals with special needs, including people suffering with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. Alzheimer’s Community Care in partnership with Palm Beach County, Emergency Operations Center, Palm Beach County Health Department and others are asking for people to volunteer at the Special Needs Shelter, 8499 Forest Hill Blvd. West Palm Beach (at Palm Beach Central High School.) They will provide training, ID badges and travel passes. If you are interested in helping, please contact Judy Garrison at 561-683-2700 ext. 112 or jgarrison@alzcare.org. Thank you!

Shopping Made Easy

Here’s a suggestion to help you shop quickly yet support a good cause. For over 60 years, Heifer International has helped families achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training in 53 countries and 28 U.S. states. You may remember friends and family members by purchasing an animal in their honor. How excited my grandchildren were when I sponsored a trio of rabbits in their honor!! Other options include: chickens-$20, cows-$500, fish-$20, goats-$120, pigs-$120, llamas-$150, rabbits-$60, sheep-$120, water buffalo-$250 and seedlings-$60. Special envelopes are available in the church office. Make checks out to F.F.W.C. Our state president, Linda Dennis will respond with a thank you. If you have any questions, contact Doris Karlik, Hope Chairman for District 10, 622-4410.&nbs
p; Thank you for your support. Doris

Flower Ministry

Edna Koenig and her group of volunteers have been delivering the altar flowers on Mondays and has had great response to it. Our members who aren’t able to come to church or are ill, love knowing that we are thinking about them. But we need your help. We need to know who you think would like to receive the flowers. Please call the office and tell us so that we can be sure to brighten their day.  If you have vases you would like to donate to this cause, please drop them off at the church.

COME WORSHIP WITH US!