The news has increasing reports about books being banned in American communities. Librarians are being singled out with threats against their livelihoods and safety. Our Justice Sunday topic on February 12 will examine the history of libraries and their contributions to a free society.
Mount Carmel is privileged to have three professional librarians, Jackie Kinsey, Sharon Haupt, and Sandy Rowland in our congregation. We will learn about librarians’ jobs (it’s not just re-shelving books!), how libraries choose the books in their collections and who is ultimately responsible for decisions that are made about those collections.
Come and be informed. Invite your neighbors to come as well. And don’t worry—you’ll still make the Super Bowl! Questions or comments may be directed to Patti Frey @ 805-235-1938.
On Feb. 6 two powerful earthquakes hit Türkiye and significantly impacted neighboring Syria. The first was a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in south central Türkiye, followed hours later by a magnitude 7.5 quake in the southeastern part of the country. The two quakes devastated Türkiye and Syria, collapsing thousands of buildings and damaging infrastructure. Thousands of people have been killed and thousands more have been injured, yet search-and-rescue efforts are only in the early stages. A cold and snowy weather system now moving through the region complicates response efforts.
Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to supporting ACT Alliance and other partners in responding to these earthquakes. Mere hours after the earthquakes hit, ACT Alliance member organizations began distributing emergency supplies, including medicines, bedding and other relief items. A comprehensive response will be coordinated as the full extent of the impact becomes clearer.
Lutheran Disaster Response has been active in this region for several years, partnering with ACT Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation and the Middle East Council of Churches to accompany Syrian refugees and internally displaced people with food, water, shelter, health services and sanitation support. The epicenter of one earthquake lies near Turkish provinces that host hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, which will only exacerbate the refugee crisis in the region.
Your gifts designated for “Middle East Crisis” will be used entirely (100%) to provide long-lasting support for those whose lives have been impacted by disasters in the region.
Worship at Mt. Carmel
Please click the image to view the bulletin
REMINDER: If you cannot join us in person for any reason, please use the link below to join us on Zoom.
COMMUNION: All are invited to join in communion. If you are on Zoom, please prepare your elements (crackers or bread, and juice or wine) before service begins.
Most of our worship services and activities are held in-person and on Zoom. If you would like to join from home, please use the links listed here. We look forward to seeing you!
Prepare your stomachs for pancakes with syrup, whipped cream and so much more! And don’t forget the bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, and juice. There will also be gluten free and vegan options available.
But most importantly, bring your coffee cup. We will have a “BEST OF” contest in the following categories:
Largest
Most Creative
Best Animal Themed
Best Saying on the cup
Oldest
Best Overall
If you want to help out with cooking or bringing supplies, please contact Carlyn Hinds at carlynhinds@verizon.net or 310-780-2471.
The ELCA lenten Devotion book “Water and Spirit” is on its way for Mt Carmel use soon. The devotions are based on the Gospel of John and will include a scripture reading on a familiar Lenten theme, the Woman at the Well, Nicodemus comes to Jesus by Night, for examples, plus a brief homily and prayer for each day in Lent from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. The books are designed for individual study and may be a topic for Adult Forums in Lent. Books will be available in regular and large print for $5.00 each.
Our Jr. & Sr. High students recently enjoyed a weekend at camp. Please enjoy these video hightlights.
2022 Giving Statements Available Now
Giving Statements have been sent out via email to those with an email address in our database. Please check your email for your statement from Mt. Carmel. Members without an email on file will receive a statement in the mail.
Please contact Carol Grosse at cgrosse@charter.net if you have questions or if you don't receive your statement.
This Sunday, February 12 - Justice Sunday! The Role of Libraries in Society. See note at the top of the page.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the plastic bottle and aluminum can recycling over the years. Your contributions to this youth fundraising program has always been appreciated. HOWEVER - due to the closing of recycle locations in San Luis, and with nobody managing the program, we are no longer accepting recyleables at Mt. Carmel. You are invited to recycle items on your own and donate the funds to one of these programs:
Children & Teens Ministry
Lutheran Campus Ministry
Social Concerns
Facilities
Evangelism
Congregational Life
Iglesia Luterana Santa Cruz
General Fund
Thank you!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Dear friends,
So excited to let you know that our Opening Doors Of Interfaith Understanding Gathering February 13 at 7 P.M. will again be hybrid both on ZOOM and at Nativity Catholic Church 221 Daly St. SLO. I have so appreciated those who have joined us by ZOOM, and it is wonderful to see those of you who choose to come in person. Dr. Hisham Assal of the Mosque of Nasreen will be presenting the book "The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews became a Prophet of the Muslims" by Mustafa Akyol. Fr. Jim Nisbet will share The Pilgrimage to Guadalupe with us. What a dynamic duo! Nativity Church has well-lighted close parking and a huge sanctuary! What a joy it is to be building this community together in these times.
SLO Jazz Federation Concert
Saturday, February 18 at 7:30pm
Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church
The SLO County Jazz Federation is excited to present two time Grammy-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts in a rare duo outing with the extraordinary pianist Bill Cunliffe on Saturday February 18 at 7:30 pm at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in SLO. Ernie Watts has been featured on over 500 recordings with artists ranging from Cannonball Adderley and Marvin Gaye to Frank Zappa and Charlie Haden. In addition to playing with the Johnny Carson band for 20 years, he has toured internationally for over 30 years. He has been described as "one of the best saxophonists in the world today". Bill Cunliffe is also a Grammy award winner and winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. He has played with Frank Sinatra, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson and James Moody among many others. He is an acclaimed arranger and educator and is currently a "distinguished faculty member" at Cal State Fullerton.
The concert starts at 7:30 pm (with doors opening at 7 pm) at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church. The church is located at 1701 Fredericks Street in SLO. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.my805tix.com/e/ernie-watts-bill-cunliffe-duo and at the door for $30 (general), $20 (Jazz Federation & Mt. Carmel members) and $10 (students).
The San Luis Obispo County Jazz Federation is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that supports and encourages the performance and appreciation of jazz since 1983. Visit slojazz.org for more information.
We received this email from Pastor Esteban at Iglesia Santa Cruz. Please pray for the families in their congregation affected by the recent rains, and prayerfully consider his request.
Dear Friends, Family and colleagues,
We hope that this email finds you well. We are sending this urgent email to ask for help for our community. The recent rains have washed away many of the fields and left our community jobless. The devastating rainstorms have turned almost all of the fields into rivers and many others have washed away the crops. We are asking for monetary donations to help our fieldworkers cover some of their urgent needs. We usually don’t ask for a lot but, we see the urgency in our people and know it’s time to go to work. Our families need your help! Please help us help them.
Blessings,
Rev. Esteban Salazar
Iglesia Luterana Santa Cruz
624 E.Camino Colegio
Santa Maria,California 93454
Thank you for your support. Please continue to help those struggling with food insecurity at our sister congregation. Items that are always needed are:
MASA ~~ RICE ~~ FLOUR ~~ OIL
We'll gladly do the shopping if you perfer to make a cash donation on Sunday.
If you're not sure what to bring, or want to add some variety, here is a suggested donation schedule:
