Latest News

Foyers - The word implies entrance to a building. That is exactly what the Foyers groups do once a month with a delightful twist: Food and fellowship. This is an opportunity to get to better know the people we spend time with: our church family and neighbors. It is an open, welcoming small group of people with only one agenda (maybe two), good food and caring. It sometimes meets in a private home and sometimes at a restaurant. It was started on October 8, 2017. Please contact the church office for times, locations, and to participate.

The current groups are

Denny Goodwin & Linda Apple, Gary & Cathy Bennett,Pastor Bill, Jenny and Lydia Zima, Lee & Nan Melber, Diane Sanderford

Doug & Janice Bradburn, Don & Judy Armbrust, Gail Crawford, Christy Johnson, Elaine & Gerald Fryar

Wray Robertson & Carolyn Harris, Justin, Kristie, Anna Grace & Emily Nicks, Bonnie Loy, JoAnn Allen, Jeff & Karen Storholt

THANK YOU!!!! Friedens would like to extend a very special Thank You to Gloria and Leonard Smith, and Randy Randall for their gift of the Fellowship Altar. We truly appreciate this gift. If you haven't had a chance to see the new altar, below is a picture.

Upcoming Events

Altar Flower Sign Up The Flower Calendar for 2020 has been posted on the bulletin board by the Choir Room in the church. Altar flowers are a wonderful way to say “I love you” or “You will always hold a special place in my heart” to your loved ones. Please begin signing up to provide altar flowers for 2020.

Prayer Shawl
Prayer, Love, Hope
If you have a friend or family member and you want to give them a gift that brings love, prayers, and hope, give them a prayer shawl that will bring warmth and let them know they are loved.

Friedens’ 275th Anniversary
Do you like history? Do you have stories to share? Do you like planning a party? If the answer is YES, come join me in planning for our 275th anniversary! Please contact Kristie Nicks if you would like to help or have stories or memories to share kristienicks@gmail.com or 336-656-9828.

Christmas Is Coming!

Ages nursery to 3rd grade will take part in a nativity program that will be performed during church in December. Rehearsals will be in December during children’s choir practice (we will sing single verses of at least 2 hymns).

Ages 3rd grade and up (that includes high schoolers and adults as well!) will be performing our first Musical for Friedens: A Charlie Brown Christmas. Full rehearsals will be Sunday afternoons from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on December 1, 8, and Dress Rehearsal on December 15.

Contact Melody Rose, rosemc@guilford.edu, with any questions.

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, December 8, at 9:45 a.m. is our Congregational Meeting. We will approve the budget and get updates on changes here at Friedens.

"Here We Come a Caroling"

The congregation is invited to go Christmas caroling to some of Friedens shut-ins on December 16. We will meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. Please contact Sarah at sarahlayton82@gmail.com or (336) 451-0300.

Soup and Chili Cook-off

Who: YOU! You are invited to a …. What: A Kick-off Cook-off When: Saturday, January 18, 5:00 p.m. Where: Friedens Fellowship Hall Why: Let’s start or “kick off” the celebration of our 275th anniversary! How: Cooks - bring your best pot of soup or chili to share. Everyone - bring your appetite and quarters to vote on your favorite pot of soup and chili. The winner gets a prize! Can’t wait to celebrate with everyone!

Welcome

Friedens Lutheran Church is one of the oldest Lutheran churches in North Carolina (established in 1745) but we pride ourselves as being progressive and adaptive to the world around us. Though we're among the oldest, the many ministries of Friedens Lutheran Church are designed to meet today's spiritual needs. A part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, we strongly believe that with our hands we are doing God's work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus' name throughout the world.

Do you want to know more about what a Lutheran is? Come find out how 199 congregations in North Carolina come together to serve Jesus and neighbor by clicking here

For news on the celebration of the 500 years in the Lutheran Church, please go to www.ELCA500.org

WORSHIP WITH US EVERY WEEK!

Sundays, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School — 9:45 a.m.

Special Joint Service Sundays at 10:30 a.m. -

December 15, 2019 - Christmas Cantata 10:30am

December 15 Cantata Sunday (One Service at 10:30 a.m.) (Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.)

A Charlie Brown Christmas Musical at 7:00 p.m. (Cookies and punch will be served in the Fellowship Hall following the musical.)

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2019 Christmas Service 4:00 pm.

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2019 Christmas Service 8:30 pm.

December 22, "Birthday Party for Jesus" at 10:00 a.m. Students should report to their classrooms or Youth Choir at 9:45 a.m. and then go to the party with their class.
The weather is turning cooler and there are several families using our community pantry. The youth are asking for help with dry food donations to help keep our pantry stocked. A food donation box is located behind the sanctuary. Some suggestions are pancake mix, cereal, oatmeal, grits, muffin mix, macaroni and cheese, cornbread mix, ramen noodles, and canned fruit. Thank you for your support!

Additional Announcements

Friendly Reminder: If you order flowers for the altar from Arrangements Florist, please remember to return the vases to the florist so the vases may be used again. This keeps Frieden's cost down for altar flowers.
Adopting Gracie Gracie is a very strong little girl who has endured a lot over the years. Her foster family would love to help her have a permanent home with them but the expenses are outrageous. She requires a lot of assistance. Please click on the link for me info. Thank you for your help. Please help if you can.

Stephen Ministers are people trained to listen and care for those who are enduring a transition or crisis in their lives. A new training session will begin in January. If you would like more information about “some of the best discipleship training,” please contact Pastor Bill (336-693-7000) or Dan Berry (919-812-5505).

Please turn in all January newsletter articles into the Church Office by December 10.

The 2020 Friedens Directory and the September financial report are available in the narthex.

“Angel Trees”
The “Angel Trees” are up and decorated with names of the families for whom we, the Fellowship SS Class, with your help seek to provide Christmas this year.

One family is our own Smith family who you know experienced a tragic loss recently; we seek to ensure that Santa will visit and bless these children this year.

Another family, a working mom with a 2-year old son, is an acquaintance of one of our members who advises this young family is currently experiencing financial difficulties. We seek to provide some financial relief via gift cards for Mom as well as a few toys for her son.

Our last family is a Christmas Cheer family, again a working mother with three children; Mom’s pay does not allow her to cover bills and provide Christmas gifts for her children.

Please take an angel or two from the tree; buy the items noted on the angel; and return the items together with the angel tag to the Christmas Tree in the Fellowship Hall on or before Dec. 15. If you prefer to donate money, that works also….make your check payable to the church with “Christmas Cheer” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity! As Tiny Tim says: “God Bless us, everyone!”