may07

							                                  News Journal
                          New Jerusalem Lutheran Church
                               2120 Startown Road
                                Hickory, NC 28602
                                   828.324.7272
                                    MAY, 2007

                   WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CONFIRMED?
                          FROM PASTOR CAUBLE
Confirmation is that age old rite of passage, when a young person goes from being a
child member of the congregation and Church, as being an adult member. An adult
member can now vote at congregational meetings. Is this all that it means to be
confirmed? Confirmation now falls under the Service or Rite of Affirmation of Baptism.
Affirmation, of course, means yes, or to say yes to something. In this case, confirmation
or Affirmation of Baptism is a young person, around 13 or 14, saying “yes” to their
baptism. When these young people were baptized, their parents or guardians said “yes”
for them. Now, usually after two years of instruction in the Christian Faith, the young
person is able to answer for themselves, “yes” to their baptism, and a life in the Christian
Faith. The young person will say “yes” to their baptismal promises. They will profess
faith in Jesus Christ, renounce the devil and sin. They will also pledge to be a part of the
Christian Community, to live among God’s people, regularly hear God’s Word and
receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion, be a witness for Christ in word and deed,
serve others, and work for justice and peace. Confirmation truly hangs a heavy but
rewarding burden upon those who receive it. Yet, we know that we do not live this life of
faith alone. We know that God has promised to be with us and God’s people will be
present for us. THANKS BE TO GOD!

CONGRATULATIONS to those being confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, May 27;
Katherine Cook, Sarah Lail, Vivian Lail, Corbyn Spurrier, and Stewart Throckmorton. A
reception, in their honor, will be held in the Gathering Room, immediately following the
10:30 Service of Holy Communion.

                       WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
On Sunday, April 22, we received four new members. Joining New Jerusalem on that
date were Jason and Elizabeth (Liz) Sigmon, Ron Sigmon and Nick Helms. A new
member reception was held in their honor in the Gathering Room following the Service
of Worship. We are delighted to have these new members as a part of the New
Jerusalem family!

If you know of anyone who would like to join New Jerusalem please let Pastor Cauble
know.
                               PEOPLE TO SERVE IN MAY
TELLER COMMITTEE
Barbara Lael, Beth Turbyfill, Rodney Throckmorton
GREETERS
Dale Weaver & Raye Lynn Parsons
PASTOR’S ASSISTANT
Terry Turbyfill
ALTAR COMMITTEE
Paula White, Chm., Cathy Sigmon, Connie Bumgarner
COUNCIL DESIGNATE
Terry Turbyfill
ALTAR FLOWERS
 6 Bollinger/Yount S.S. Class
13 WELCA
20 Charles Kanipe
27 Norman & Diana Bumgarner
USHER LEAGUE
Jackie Bell, Chm., Rusty Huffman, W. R. Bumgarner, Robert Hoyle, Brad Lael
YARD MAINTENANCE
 6 Andy Martin
13 Max Boliek, John Goshorn, Alan Cook
20 Elmer Lutz, Ken Temple, Rodney Throckmorton
27 Ed & Thad Kanupp
ACOLYTE
Jonah Temple
NURSERY
 6 Dana Hoyle, Paula White, Sarah Lail
13 Debbie McGee, Ann Kanupp
20 Susan Huffman, Sandra Miller, Emma Temple
27 Paulette Powell, Carolyn Riggs
TAPE MINISTRY
 6 Alan Bolch
13 & 20 Norman & Diana Bumgarner
27 Elmer Lutz
MAY BIRTHDAYS
 1 Andrea Hollar
 2 Libby Hall
 3 Kara Lutz, David Rhodes, Joyce Buffington
 6 Alvin Cline
 7 Jimmy Preslar, Nancy Martin
 9 Wesley Cline
10 Connie Bumgarner
12 George Whitener, Jeff Seitz, Alan Bolch, Quinton Mitchell
13 John Goshorn
14 Alice Martin
15 Lee Bumgarner
16 Michael Seitz
17 Pat Bolch
18 Camellia Barger, Justin Aiken
19 Katie Smith Price
20 Patty Shuford, Violet Hollar
22 Ted Yoder, Madison Lail
23 Jamie Wright
25 Donna Griffin
26 Diana Bumgarner
27 Deron Bumgarner, Elizabeth Smith, Corbyn Spurrier
30 Abbey Lutz, Doris Zube
31 Thad Scronce


                                    PRAYER FELLOWSHIP
You are invited to come and join in prayer for the members of New Jerusalem, our
community, and anyone else in need during our Prayer Fellowship times in May. New
Jerusalem seeks to be a praying and witnessing congregation. Prayer must go along
with witnessing if it is to be effective. Come join us when you can!

                     Thursday – May 3 at 7:00 pm – Gathering Room
                     Thursday – May 24 at 7:00 pm – Gathering Room


                              LUKE BIBLE STUDY IN MAY
               Wednesday, May 2 – 9:00 am (Bollinger/Yount Classroom)
               Wednesday, May 9 – 9:00 am (Bollinger/Yount Classroom)
                    Tuesday, May 22 – 7:00 pm (Gathering Room)
               Wednesday, May 23 – 9:00 am (Bollinger/Yount Classroom)
               Wednesday, May 30 – 9:00 am (Bollinger/Yount Classroom)
                  (This will be the last meeting class until September)

                            A NOTE FROM SENIOR FRIENDS
SENIOR FRIENDS will be gong to Camp Dogwood, in Sherrills Ford, for their meeting on
                     th
Wednesday, May 16 . Hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings, plus a selection of drinks
and two desserts will be on the menu. This will be inside the main building – no steps. We will
car pool and leave the church parking lot promptly at 11:10 a.m. Those who plan to attend need
                                            th
to pay Shirley Robinson by Monday, May 7 . Cost is $7.00 per person.
                                      EXTRA! EXTRA!
Senior Friends’ members are sponsoring an auction on Wednesday, June 20th at 11:30
am in the Fellowship Hall. Auctioneer is W. R. Lutz. Bring sandwiches/finger foods or a
2-liter drink. All proceeds go toward reaching the $7,000.00 challenge presented to our
congregation in helping to purchase a mini bus. Congregational members can donate
ONE item to be auctioned. Come early if you have an item so that it can be labeled and
properly identified. Invite your friends, neighbors or relatives to come. Please plan to
attend and help our congregation meet our goal. Everyone is welcome.


                            PASTOR CAUBLE ON VACATION
Pastor Cauble will be on vacation, May 15-20. Pastor Boyce Whitener will be on
standby for Pastor Cauble. If there is a pastoral emergency you can reach him at his
home, 465-3604. You may also call Dorothy Johnson at home, 328-1679, at work 428-
8769, or call the church office, 324-7272. If no one is there, please leave a message.
Pastor Whitener will also lead worship and preach on Sunday, May 20. Pastor Cauble
will return to work on Tuesday, May 22.

                            GRADUATES
WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF OUR GRADUATES ON SUNDAY, JUNE 3,
AND IN THE JUNE NEWSLETTER. PLEASE LET THE CHURCH OFFICE KNOW IF
YOU ARE GRADUATING FROM ANY INSTITUTION, HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, ETC.
WE ARE PROUD OF ALL OF OUR 2007 GRADUATES!


                               A BIG NOTE OF THANKS
The Youth of the congregation would like to say a great big THANK YOU to everyone
who has come out and supported them in their fund-raisers recently. Your support of the
youth will help them to meet their expenses of going to Loris, SC this summer and will
also help them do their share for the Mini-bus fund. FROM ALL THE YOUTH AND
ADVISORS – THANKS A BUNCH!!!


                            CONGREGATIONAL SYMPATHY
The sympathy of the congregation is extended to Allen Cook and his family upon the
death of his father, Mr. Eugene Cook, on April 27. “REST ETERNAL, GRANT HIM, O
LORD, AND LET LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON HIM.”
                                MINI-BUS CHALLENGE
Please don’t’ forget our Mini-Bus challenge to raise $7,000 by June. We are more than
half way there. The youth have been working. The Senior Friends have been working,
and people have been contributing. YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US IN MEETING
THIS CHALLENGE. ANY AND ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MOST APPRECIATED!

                                CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES
The Congregation Council held it’s April meeting on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:00 pm in the
Fellowship Hall. Chairman Garret Turbyfill called the meeting to order. Ed Kanupp was
absent from the meeting. Paula White gave the devotions. The minutes were approved
as presented and the treasurer’s reports were received as information as follows:
Current - $3,874.94 (available $1,409.66) (Earmarked $1685 to Good Samaritan Fund
and Food Lion $71.28 for Thanksgiving meal.)
Benevolence - $1,874.36 (Available $162.42; Mo. -$520.34, Yr. -$1,338.21)
Building - $13,357.79
Mini Bus CD - $19,050.61 (Additional collections $2,313.00)
Cemetery - $8,658.89
WELCA – Paid in Full
Phillips – Checkbook $2,649.41 and CD $32,000.00
Mauser – CD $60,000.00
Boy Scout CD – Checkbook $198.43 an CD $1,400.00
*Renewed domain for website for nine years at a cost of $135.00 (Register.com)
The Pastor’s report was received as information for March. Recognized passing of Lent
and approaching Easter and thanked everyone who helped with the preparations for
both. Will begin using new Evangelical Lutheran Worship Books on Sunday, April 15,
2007. Dedication will take place on the 15th.
“I feel compelled to address a rather serious issue, the lack of attendance of our council
members at evening services during Lent and Holy Week. Please be aware that you are
to be examples to the rest of the congregation, especially concerning worship.”
Motions were made and approved for the following: to approved for membership Ron
Sigmon by letter of transfer from Concordia Lutheran, Conover and Nicholas Helms by
Affirmation of Faith from First Baptist Church, Claremont. They, along with Jason and
Elizabeth Sigmon, will be joining on April 22. Received letter of request for transfer for
Ron and Rosemary Lutz to join Zion Lutheran. Motion made and carried to grant
request. Motion made and carried to approve Dennis and Sandra Bollinger as our
Synod Assembly Delegates.
CONGREGATIONAL CONCERNS
     1.Update on sick and shut-ins. 2. President Turbyfill reported results of council vote
     survey with results being 10 – 1 to proceed with a deposit for the bus, since the
     company had only 2-3 buses still available at that time, even though we had not met
     the challenge goal at this point in time. He reported that the company had received
     deposits from three other churches as we did not get a 2006 model. Motion made
   and carried that we accept the $1,000 extra in cost for the 2007 model. It will take
   approximately 12 weeks to receive. 3. Motion made and carried that the $1,600 from
   Thrivent Matching Funds ’07 go to the mini-bus fund.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
  1. David Hefner, Cemetery Fund Treasurer, reported that Women of the ELCA,
      Group #1 had paid off the loan they received from the Cemetery fund. A letter
      had been received from Camellia Barger, Cookbook Treasurer, that on April 8,
      2007, they gave the final payment of $2,550.00 to the Cemetery Fund Treasurer
      and the total repaid was $5,631.69. They asked that we continue to stress that
      Group 1 has more cookbooks to sell. Council stated their appreciation and
      stated the congregation needed to be made aware that the loan had been paid
      off and books are still available.
  2. Thank you letter received from Judy Fincannon expressing appreciation for
      allowing St. Stephens to use our Fellowship Hall to interview a prospective
      candidate.
  3. Thank you letter , on behalf of Bishop Hanson, for gift to World Hunger.
  4. Thank you for Apportioned Benevolence paid in full – we’re 1 or 25% that pay
      their benevolence in full. Our 2006 Apportionment was $32,461.08. Letter to be
      displayed.

MINISTRY REPORTS
WORSHIP – Meeting held March 29, 2007 with six members present. Topics discussed;
(1) Addressed the length of Christmas Eve Service. (We will come back to this issue
later in the year.) (2) Question asked – “Where have the council members been for the
Lenten Services?” (3) MOTION: “To have a totally traditional service on the Fifth
Sunday of April”. Motion was seconded so as to bring it to the floor for discussion.
Motion made to strike “totally” from the motion. Seconded, the change was approved
and carried as modified. It was noted that the worship leader is Pastor Cauble and he
has final say.
FELLOWSHIP – Meeting held March 18, prepared 9 CARE packages, expressed
appreciation to Phillips Fund for $100 donation to purchase CARE package items. (3)
Birthday Bash planned for April 21 and New Member Sunday Reception for April 22.
Jason Sigmon has agreed to be our homecoming guest speaker/pastor.
COMMUNICATIONS – Rodney Throckmorton had talked to Dale Weaver regarding our
web site – it’s up and ready, just need to get information to Dale. Council was asked for
next meeting to consider the newsletter and council minutes’ length (and/or other means
to disperse information to congregation.)
CEMETERY – Needs leveled off, one unmarked grave, information missing on one
grave.
NEW BUSINESS
Confirmation on May 27; designated loose offerings through May; assigned following
individuals to Contact Groups – Nick Helms to Sandra Bollinger’s group; Ron Sigmon to
Etta Mae Bollinger’s group and Jason & Elizabeth Sigmon to John Lutz’ group. Then
removed Ron Lutz and family from John’s group.
COUNCIL DESIGNATE’S REPORT – Paula White reported that the month found her up
stairs serving as a teller.
The next Council meeting will be on Thursday, May 10 at 6:30 pm. Executive meeting
on Tuesday, May 8 at 6:00.
The meeting closed with everyone joining together for the Lord’s Prayer.