God s Work, Our Hands. PRAYER AND VISITATION I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail!

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1 Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas Phone Fax Volume No God s Work, Our Hands September 2013 Edition Inside this issue: Prayer and Visitation 1 Kindred Sisters 2 Game Days 2 Prayer List 2 Lunch Bunch 2 Sunday Readings 2 Global Initiatives 2 Birthdays/Anniversaries 2 Jubilee Sunday 3 Adult Sunday School 3 JSM: New Leader Needed 3 Fond Farewell 3 Memorials 3 Healthy Congregations #3 4 TIFA Meetings 4 Children s Worship Bags 4 Library Notes 4 Memory Garden 4 Beth Moore Simulcast 5 Baptismal Dedication 5 State of the Church 5 Job Search Ministry 5 Worship Leadership 6 Calendar 7 JSM Flyer 8 PRAYER AND VISITATION I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail! The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are rapidly coming to a close and the marker symbolizing the return to so-called normalcy (Labor Day) is just around the corner. From the pastoral perspective, there is no normalcy to which one might return. As the recently installed Pastor, everything is new and what a blessing! I am reminded of the words penned by Thomas O. Chisholm in the refrain of the hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Chisholm writes, Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. As I begin my ministry here with the ministers of Lord of Life (that s right, ministers remember the words of Martin Luther as he talks of the priesthood of all believers ), I want to inform you that I will begin with intentional prayer seeking God s blessing and direction. The Bible tells us in the book of James, chapter 5 verse 16, The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. So here is my plan. Beginning Tuesday, September 3, I will pause for prayer from 5:30 6:00 p.m. and will do so daily throughout the month of September. Each day the focus of prayer will be on a different entity of Lord of Life and our ministry. Once I have prayed for the church, the leadership, the ministry committees, etc., I will pray for the individual family units of our church. My goal is to produce a schedule of my daily prayer focus that will be shared with you. You are invited to come and spend time in prayer any day but especially on those days when prayer will be focused on the particular ministry in which you are involved and/or on the day that your family unit will be prayed for. An unknown author once wrote, When prayers go up, blessings come down. A second goal as I begin my ministry with you is to personally visit each household. This will give me the opportunity to learn more about you and you me. But I also want to hear your vision for this community of faith, your hopes and your dreams. I will arbitrarily pull names out of my cap to schedule these visits. You can assist me in this effort by signing up when might be the best time of day for your visit (morning, afternoon, evening). I believe the words recorded in Isaiah 43:18-19: Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I (God) am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the name of Jesus, Pastor Skip

2 Page 2 GAME DAYS Game Days in September will be on Tuesday the 10th and Thursday the 19th. Come and join us for the fellowship and the fun. Please bring your own lunch. Questions: call Nell or Susan at PRAYER LIST Ann Willman Angie Parr Jeannine North Dee Smith Rudy Lopez Lolly Grunska Linda Vaughn Dot Harrington and the family of David Spilo SUNDAY READINGS September 1 Proverbs 25:6-7 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13: Luke 14:1, 7-14 September 8 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33 September 15 Exodus 32:7-14 Psalm 51: Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 September 22 Amos 8:4-7 Psalm Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 September 29 Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3 Psalm 103:1-5, Revelation 12:7-12 Luke 10:17-20 Birthdays: Deathe, Nikki 09/02 Hafner, Lauren 09/02 Simpson, Dakota 09/03 Krizov, Walter 09/05 Smith, Natalie 09/05 Soiseth, Gladys 09/07 Caldwell, Lynette 09/08 Cearley, Deborah 09/08 Vaughn, Mary 09/08 Smith, Dustin 09/10 Smith, David 09/11 Smith, Madeline 09/11 Penland, Lee 09/12 Kostoff, Kristine 09/13 Deathe, Earl 09/16 Hafner, Sherrie 09/16 Warnsman, Courtney 09/17 Saegert, Diane 09/18 KINDRED SISTERS NEWS Drake, Lindsey 09/19 Eckermann, Ben 09/20 Krejci, Janet 09/21 Schilling, Lee Roy 09/21 Sellers, Jenelle 09/21 Haenel, Kenneth 09/22 Brown, Lauren 09/23 Searcy, Doug 09/24 Prather, Melinda 09/26 Duarte, John 09/28 Klotz, Zackery 09/28 Life-Lines Kindred Sisters met on Tuesday, August 6, at 11:30 a.m. at Luby's Restaurant near Lakeline, for an enjoyable luncheon meeting. Marge Kretschmar led us in a discussion of various suggestions made for future meeting topics. We had some very interesting topics suggested. We had a short devotion and then adjourned with a prayer of gratitude, and for blessings on our church family. We will have our September meeting on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 10:30 a.m. at the Koinonia Cafe. We are looking forward to having a "Get Acquainted" meeting with Pastor Skip as our guest! Please bring a sack lunch for yourself. Refreshments and dessert will be furnished by our hostess for September, Nell Pennington. All women and friends of LOLLC are cordially invited to attend. We hope to see you there! If there are any questions, please call Joanne Thank you! GLOBAL INITIATIVES LUNCH BUNCH We had a great time at Z Tejas! Join us on the last Sunday of each month for food and fellowship after Late Service! Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is available on our website under Giving, so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the world for Christ. Anniversaries: Gilbert & Melinda Prather 09/03/1988 Ed & Becky Thurman 09/09/1978 Keri & Matthew Gold 09/18/2004

3 Volume No Page 3 JUBILEE SUNDAY We return to our 8:15 and 10:45 worship schedule on September 8th, as we kick off a new year of Sunday School. Also, a special meeting will be held after Late Service for Middle/High School Youth and parents. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL The adults class will continue to study Honoring Our Neighbor s Faith, for several weeks. The following three churches: SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH, THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY, will be presented for exploration of their faith and practices and how it connects to our Lutheran heritage and faith. The adult class meets in the sanctuary following the early service and begins at 9:30 a.m. ALL ARE WELCOME. COME AND LEARN SOME INTERESING THINGS. JOB SEARCH MINISTRY: NEW LEADER NEEDED Patti Kassel founded and has lead the Job Search Ministry at Lord of Life for the last few years. JSM has developed into a valuable resource for our community, even reaching as far away as Korea. As Patti will be leaving the community in the near future, we are looking for someone to take on this ministry. Please contact Patti Kassel, Pastor Skip or any council member if you are interested. It would be wonderful to continue this ministry. Thanks for the Memories! FOND FAREWELL John, Bob, Dade, and I would like to thank the members of Lord of Life for all the many years of blessings, through your love and friendship, which has been given to our family. This new adventure in front of us is bitter sweet. We have so many wonderful memories and lifelong friendships that we have established over the past 10 years. We are always amazed how this congregation steps up to the call of duty. What a reflection of Christ! But on the other hand, we have a wonderful opportunity to be close to family in our latter years. We hope to get many visitors in New Braunfels as you come through town in the future. Our doors will always be open with the coffee on and John might even have a cookie or two to share. We pray that the love of our Lord and Savior continues to shower this community with His blessings. He has already started by bringing Pastor Skip to the altar. We will always have you in our prayers. Thank you again for your love and friendship. John and Patti Kassel, Bob Welch, and Dade Goode Philippians 1.3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God. MEMORIALS In memory of Jeannie Jones Donna & Bill Estes

4 Volume No Page 4 HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS WORKSHOP #3 Leadership in Healthy Congregations September 7th at First, San Marcos or September 28th at Gethsemane, Austin. This workshop builds on Workshops 1 and 2. It equips leaders to: - Promote health through their presence and functioning. - Challenge people for the sake of mission. - Build resilience in their congregation for the sake of mission. Cost is $25 per person, which includes workshop materials and lunch. Workshop goes from 9 am to 3 pm. Experience with Workshops 1 and 2 is desired but not required. Register online at It is led by Pastor Sue Briner. Questions? Contact the synod office at or talk with Dick Fink. TIFA MEETINGS The Lord of Life Council has approved a facilities use request by the Texas Inmate Families Association (TIFA, to meet at Lord of Life once a month, on the evening of the 3rd Monday of every month. TIFA currently meets at a location in South Austin (Sunrise Community Church) and was in need of a location in North Austin to better serve the community. The mission of TIFA is breaking the cycle of crime by strengthening families through support, education, and advocacy. Patti Kassel is serving this organization as a member of the Board of TIFA. CHILDREN S WORSHIP BAGS New gently-used books have been added to the CHILDREN'S WORSHIP BAGS for the children to use during Sunday Service. Please return the little bags to the basket in the Narthex before you leave church. Sometimes these little bags are accidently taken home, if so please return it the next time you come to church. ~ Thank You ~ LIBRARY NOTES by: Donna Estes Summer is coming to a close and school will soon begin. Check out the great selection of books in the LOL library. PLEASE REMEMBER---TO CHECK OUT A BOOK - use the binder on the top shelf to the left of the door as you enter. In it, put the title of the book, the date you check it out, and your name. When you RETURN A BOOK - mark your name out of the book and put the book in the designated basket beside the children's book shelf at the rear of the library. Please DO NOT RESHELF BOOKS. COMING SOON - books on CDs. These books would be great to take on a car trip or perhaps check out for an elderly relative who has a problem seeing to read. Watch for more to come on the CDs! Be sure and check out the suggested reading on the shelf beneath the window. Thanks for using your church library. WE LOVE BOOKS!!! MEMORY GARGEN The memory garden looks very nice & a big thank you to everyone who helps mow, trim and weed eat. Due to the extreme heat the plants and animal life are suffering from a lack of water. The garden is watered every Sunday morning but right now that is just not enough. If anyone is at the church during the week, and has a few minutes, we would appreciate it if you could help us out. Please water the lantanas, fill the water sack around the little oak tree, and fill the birdbath and animal drinking tub. It only takes about 10 minutes of your time. Thanks so much. Donna & Rea Memory Garden Committee

5 Volume No Page 5 BAPTISMAL DEDICATION We were so blessed to have Bishop Ray Tiemann join us on July 28th to preach and dedicate our baptismal font. Designed by Hugo Bazan, the funds for the font were donated by Clair Krizov in honor of Walter and Maxine Krizov. Max Kretschmar and members of the Property Committee built and installed the movable platform that the baptismal rests on. Thanks to everyone who contributed in making this event possible! Income for July: $20,074 Income YTD: $166,845 Expenses for July: $22,721 Expenses YTD: $156,885 Net Loss for July: ($2,647) Net Gain YTD: $9,960 Worship Attendance 7/7/ /14/ /21/ /28/ Weekly Average 81 YTD Total 3209 Weekly Average 97

6 Volume No Page 5 Worship Leaders for September 2013 SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 Time After Pentecost Color: Green Assisting Minister: Diane Smith Lector/Petitioner: Chuck Neeley Communion Assistant: Mike Kamensky Media Assistant: Raina Parsons Ushers: Doug Searcy, Dustin Simpson, Ben Eckermann, Alan Breyer, Shane Willenborg Altar Guild: Diane Smith Bread: The Sheehan Family Tellers: Dick Fink & Barb Petry Flowers: Frank & Gayle Covington, to God s glory and in thankfulness for His many blessing. SEPTEMBER 8, 2013 Time After Pentecost Color: Green Assisting Minister: Mindy Penland Lector/Petitioner: Mike Petry Communion Assistant: Gayle Covington Media Assistant: Alan Breyer; Chuck Neeley Ushers: Doug Searcy; Gary Parsons, Shawn Simon, Eric Warnsman, Max Kretschmar Altar Guild: Chuck & Julia Neeley (setup); Lyn Caldwell & Jim Tarsi; Deanna & Lauren Brown Bread: The Penland Family Tellers: Julia Neeley & Barb Haskins Flowers: SEPTEMBER 15, 2013 Time After Pentecost Color: Green Assisting Minister: Marilee Parsons Lector/Petitioner: Dick Fink Communion Assistant: Dorothy Crawford Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Rex Schroeder Ushers: Doug Searcy; Gary Parsons, Shawn Simon, Eric Warnsman, Max Kretschmar Altar Guild: Brenda Searcy & Barbara Snook (setup); Deb Grunska Bread: Brenda Searcy Tellers: Julia Neeley & Barb Haskins Flowers: Dick Fink, in celebration of his grandmother s 100th birthday. SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 Time After Pentecost Color: Green Assisting Minister: Rex Schroeder Lector/Petitioner: Deb Grunska Communion Assistant: Nell Pennington Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Connor Sheehan Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Rachel Brown, Madeline & Natalie Smith, Maddy Penland, Callie Prather Altar Guild: Cindy Wilks & Dee Smith (setup); Heather Simpson & Avery Willenborg Bread: Cindy Wilks Tellers: Julia Neeley & Barb Haskins Flowers: Anonymous, to celebrate being grandchildren, and to praise God for them all. SEPTEMBER 29, 2013 Michael and All Angels Color: White Assisting Minister: John Paul Crawford Lector/Petitioner: Chuck Neeley Communion Assistant: Shari Lagerstrom Media Assistant: Doug Searcy; Dick Fink Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Rachel Brown, Madeline & Natalie Smith, Maddy Penland, Callie Prather Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell & Jim Tarsi; Tim & Diane Smith (setup) Bread: Tim & Diane Smith Tellers: Julia Neeley & Barb Haskins Flowers: The Wachsmanns, with thanksgiving to God.

7 Page 6 Life-Lines S e p t e m b e r Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:00 Coffee on the Deck 9:30 Summer Service: Baptism of Lucas Hart 5:00 Emmanuel Indian Fellowship Gathering :30am Kindred Sisters 4 5 7:00pm Finance Committee Meeting JUBILEE! 8:15 Early Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Late Service :00am Game Day BETH MOORE SIMULCAST 6:30pm Confirmation Info Meeting 7:00pm Church Council Meeting 15 8:15 Early Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Late Service :00am Game Day :00 Emmanuel Indian Fellowship Gathering 7:30pm Stephen Ministers Meeting 22 8:15 Early Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Late Service Healthy Congregations Workshop #3 (@ Gethsemane Lutheran) 29 8:15 Early Service 9:30 Sunday School 10:45 Late Service 12:00 Lunch Bunch 30

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