Worship is the heart of all we do

Transcription

1 Hosanna Lutheran Church June 2015 H O R I Z O N o F H O P E Come people of God. Leave the cares of your day and concerns of your life. Come and be filled with the presence of God! WELCOME-WORSHIP-WITNESS SUMMER WORSHIP TIMES 8:30 A.M. Traditional Service 10:00 A.M. Contemporary Service Fellowship & Refreshments 9:30 am & 11:00 am Worship is the heart of all we do There is a Seattle-based caffeinated beverage company that goes to great lengths to provide excellent customer service. Its campaign is to make itself everyone s Third Place. First Place is home, Second Place is work and Third Place is the local coffeehouse. There is meticulous training for employees, relentless market research and creative adaptability employed by the company to retain customers. Employees practice the hand-off plane where they are taught to make eye contact when handing over the vente mocha latte to the customer. This is so the customer will have a transformative experience while sipping a cup of joe. And it works. In a letter to thank the staff a woman wrote: You are the hub of our week, the space of our regrouping, and she went on to describe a multigenerational, multicultural, multi-socioeconomic community where she and her family found comfort and a sense of belonging. This is our competition. We are church. At the heart of what we do is worship, and at the heart of our worship is the crucified and risen Christ. Everything else we do is formed, nourished, sustained and transformed by our life as a faith community gathered around word and sacrament, abiding in the love of God. Without this intentional, regular communion with God and each other it s not possible for us to speak an authentic word of hope to a broken world the world God so loves. When we gather for worship we hear God s word of promise; we confess our helplessness; receive forgiveness; we pray; and we welcome new brothers and sisters through baptism, promising to support them in their walk in faith. We are fed with the bread of life and receive our Lord poured out for us. And then we are sent back into the world. Worship is essential for the church s life and service. But how much attention do we pay to the preparation and execution of our corporate worship? Is it the hub of our week, the space of our regrouping? Do we expect to have a transformative experience? The Third Commandment (Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy) and Martin Luther s explanation (We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect his word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it) remind us that worship is central in the life of faith. Worship is not just another item on the list of programs and activities in a congregation. It is the heart. Sometimes worship can become a sort of lived-in room everything has become so familiar that we don t notice the frayed furniture. What if we entered worship as if it were our first experience of it? What if we saw the congregation and the liturgy through the eyes of a guest? Is the building clean? Where is the real front door? Does anyone greet us? Is the bulletin easy to navigate? Where are the nursery and the restrooms? Are instructions for communion clear? And what about the worship service itself? We are a liturgical church. There is a certain humility and beautiful communion in not trying to reinvent the service each time, but to join with brothers and sisters throughout the world and across the centuries. And please, please do not rewrite the creeds. It took the church a couple of centuries to come up with the Nicene Creed. Why do we think we can do better knocking it out on our laptop? This has nothing to do with styles of music there is a breadth of hymnody in Evangelical Lutheran Worship and related resources. Gospel, Bach, contemporary and world music are all powerful ways of hearing God s word and singing praise. It s good to be fluent in the musical vernacular of our communities and to try those of others. Most of all we should come to worship expecting to be changed. We are touching, tasting, feeling, hearing and seeing the one who knows us and loves us completely. Our lives are restored. We are set free. Fed for the journey we are set loose to go in peace and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. A monthly message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Her address: bishop@elca.org. This column first appeared in The Lutheran s May issue. Reprinted with permission.

2 June 2015 Page 2 SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING May 3, 2015 Congregation Council Members elected: Laurie Voss, Vicki Weber, Grace Weisz, and Nancy Young Dear Mary Fabian, Larry Deaver, Doug Lyons, and Dan Young Hosanna Lutheran congregation would like to thank and commend you for faithfully serving on the Council. We have appreciated your dedication and commitment in serving Christ and the congregation through your positions and leadership. And to Laurie Voss, Vicki Weber, Grace Weisz and Nancy Young Welcome on board! We look forward to benefiting from the gifts that God has given you and sharing ministry together. We appreciate your willingness to serve. May God bless you all on this journey together Congratulations & Blessings to: Baptisms: Nicole Faith Roeder, infant daughter of Erin and Travis Roeder and granddaughter of Pr. Jim and Linda, was baptized on Sunday, May 24th at the 8:30 am service. AND Our Members in the Hospital Claudia Wylie Mary Braatz Please remember them in your prayers as they and their families need God s strength and comfort at this time Nebraska Synod Assembly: We Are Children of God Pr. Jim, and delegates, Vicki Weber and Colleen Kenan will be attending the meetings held at Younce Conf. Center at Kearney, NE, May COUNCIL MEETING Our next council meeting is scheduled for: Thursday, June 18th, :00 p.m. Officers and Congregational ministries reps. Will be elected/appointed at the June meeting Committees: The three congregational ministries of Hosanna include: 1. Welcome Ministry Council Reps. - Laurie Voss Grace Weisz 2. Worship Ministry Council Reps. Leigh LaRosa Nancy Young 3. Witness Ministry Council Reps. - Vicki Weber Sandy Frye If you would like to become a part of the Welcome, Worship or Witness ministries, please contact any of the council members or the pastor. HOSANNA COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY President Brenda Shafer Vice-President Laurie Voss Secretary Sandy Frye Leigh LaRosa Vicki Weber Grace Weisz Nancy Young Financial Sec. Helen Worthan Treasurer Property & Maintenance Dave Steinkruger Bill Wylie

3 Horizon of Hope Page 3 From Pastor Jim... Welcome Holy Spirit!!! As we begin the season of Pentecost a time to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and Fire. We have been reminded of all that God has given us: Forgiveness, Love, Adoption, Power and Authority. Why would God do that? Jesus said something in John 16 verse 33 about this. He said In this world you will have trouble. Trouble? Yes it seems we do have troubles how do you feel about the troubles in your life? Often they seem real big and scary. Paul wrote to us and said this For God did not give a spirit of timidity, but of power, of love and of selfdiscipline (2 Tim 1:7). God knew we would have trouble and prepared us for it. To the Roman Church Paul said We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. It doesn t always seem we are conquerors, but In 2 Corinthians 11:24-33 Paul talked about all the struggles, whippings, beatings, shipwrecks and tough travel conditions he had. He even asked the Lord to take away a mysterious pain that he had hear what God said to him My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness Paul responded, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:8b-10) What an attitude Paul had. When I am weak, then I am strong. God s Spirit with us, how amazing is that. Paul reminds us that if we learn to live in the Spirit live God s way. God brings gifts into our lives Paul called those gifts the fruit of the Spirit. Paul described that fruit in Galatians 5:22-23, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What wonderful gifts God gives. We are going to think and talk about Jesus statement that God so loved the world. What does that mean to us in Cass County? As the Body of Christ what should we be thinking about and doing? Lots to think about lots to learn and do in this season of Pentecost. Come Holy Spirit Come. I d like us all to welcome Brenda Shafer as President and Laurie Voss as Vice President of our council in our journey together with God. Other members Nancy Young, Sandy Frye, Leigh LaRosa, Grace Weisz and Vicki Weber stand ready for our journey too. What a team God has assembled for us. Thank you all. God is Blessing Us Pastor Jim

4 June 2015 Page 4 HELPING OUR COMMUNITY Please remember our on-going collections Cass County Food Bank: 1st Sunday of every month. Non perishable food, paper goods, soap, detergent and cleaning products. NO JUNK FOOD, PLEASE! Please check the expiration dates on the food. The food bank will not accept food with expired dates. Under His Wings Baby Pantry: Needed: Size 3 in Luvs Disposable Diapers Under His Wings Baby Thrift Shop 511 Central - Open Mondays - Saturday PM Donations accepted during business hours My Neighbors Closet: Clean, wearable clothing, toys, children s books in good condition Prevent Blindness Nebraska: Used eyeglasses no sunglasses Campbell Soup Labels and General Mills Box Tops For Education: Please save both labels for our schools. The labels are redeemed for classroom items to enhance our children s education. ADULT STUDY OPPORTUNITIEs BOOK GROUP Please join the Book Group at on Wednesday, June 10th at 11:30 am at Bay Hills Golf Course - Restaurant. We ll be discussing the book Wish You Well by David Baldacci. For July we will have a Readers Choice on a book by Bess Streeter Aldrich. This summer take some time to read a good book and think about joining our Book Group for a great discussion and great food.. WHEN THE STS. GO MARCHING OUT TO EAT! Meet at the Church at 6:00 PM to Share rides Friday, May 29 th - Jason Deli. Friday, June 26 th - The Bangkok Café. Friday, July 31 st - Charleston s, West Omaha Friday, Aug 28 th - The Lil Burro in Bellevue. HOLY STITCHER S Sewing Session Will not be meeting this month WOMEN S GROUP Meets on Monday, June 15th at 7:00 pm. Garage Sale Week - June 21st - 28th Needed: Large Boxes Hosanna s Numbers Weekly Income Weekly Income May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 General $1,269. $1,321 $2,148. $3,376. Benevolence $25 $0 $0 $0. Combined Worship Sunday May 3 May 10 May 17 May May 31 NA NA May 31 NA Your Financial Gifts Please be mindful that Hosanna s monthly financial obligations continue throughout the year. If you are unable to attend Sunday Worship Services, please consider mailing your commitment to the church at P.O. Box 301 Plattsmouth, NE Thank You! Our Church continues to be grateful for all who faithfully support the ongoing life and ministry operating costs of Hosanna. You make a difference! Thank you Members and Friends Of Hosanna! When on Vacation When on vacation, be with us in spirit. The rest of the summer, be with us in person.

5 June 2015 Page 5 WOMEN S GROUP Annual Rummage Sale 2015 Rummage Sale FYI Schedule: *Need volunteers to sit in pairs and collect drop off item leftovers from Beaver Lake's garage sales. Saturday, June 6th 5-7pm and Sunday June 7th 10-12pm and 12-2pm Please let me know which time works for you :) *We will be on the Beaver Lake map and Buccaneer Bay map letting people know we are accepting drop off donations * Sign up sheets will go out soon *Sunday June 21st after services: tables need to be set up throughout the church, chairs stacked and put in the nursery, high chairs and other miscellaneous items put into nursery *Monday-Wednesday June : starting at 9:00 am we will need all hands on deck to bring in, sort, and set up rummage sale items. *Thursday-Friday-Saturday Sale days: We have two cash tables and need two people at each table. Also need help keeping things neat. *It worked really well to have one person in charge each sale day *Sunday June 28 clean up: Everything needs to be boxed and stacked in the fellowship hall for pick up, tables and chairs will need to be replaced *we will have a dumpster *advertise in Cassgram, Community newsletters, craigslist *hang flyers *Guys will be doing the BBQ FUNDS this year will be going towards the Heating an AC fund! PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS Chase Barker Norm Becker Black Family Mary Braatz Julie Bradshaw Sandra Brehmer Eva Brown Patricia Chase Beverly Clark Riley Coburn Collier family Claudia Burton- Conley Jan Conley Bo Duffy Mason Durow Jim Fabian Judy Gillette Tara Gowing Bill Grunewald Isaac Hart Michelle Hart Connie Heller Kelly Hill Houchin Family Evie Hunt Carolyn Kelley Julie Kenan Teresa Knudson Jean Koppold Kunkel Family Brayden Lee Gretchen Lee Karla Lockland Pat Lucas Majors Family Evelyn Maynard Carol McKinley Tara McMaster Donna Merrill Andy Miller Jan Monroe Fred Neemeyer Bob Nickels Lynn Olson Laura Paige Ryan Palacek Shelly Penke Dean Poyter Prince Family Amphai Ranslem Lori Rase Lori Reed Annie Rehmeier Darlene Selser Bettye Senne April Shoney Maddie Shumaker Brad Sitzman Dennis Smith Alexis Stanley Barb Valenti Grant Vampola Rhonda Walters Claudia Wylie Grace Zimmerer Norbert Zimmerer Carol Cleo Crystal Dale Peg Terry Tim PRAYERS FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY... Justin Bartlett, Marines (Nephew of Brian & Robin Brown) Meshack Casey, Army (Grandson of Dave & Jan Conley) Cory Clines, Air Force (Grandson of Dave and Jan Conley) Col. Mona Dolson, (Sister of Mitch Houchin) Chaz Jensvy, (Nephew of Jim Voss) Serving in Afganistan Calvin Johnson, Air Force (Nephew of Kermit & Fiorenza Reisdorph) Caleb Morehead, Army Reserves (Grandson of Ralph & Bertha Black) Shane Newman, Army Reserves (friend of Ralph & Bertha Black) Kay Rhodes, Army (Daughter of Jean Burkman) Travis Roeder, Air Force (Son-in-law of Pastor Jim & Linda Spanjers) Gloria Vander Wyth, Navy (Granddaughter-in-law of Jean Burkman ) Brent Wiese, Army If you would like to add a name to our Prayer list. Please contact the office at or leave a note on Debbie s desk in the office. Please keep this list current by informing us when a name can be removed. Thank You.

6 Horizon of Hope Page 6 General Health Tip Is Mindfulness Important for Health? Mindfulness is a way of thinking that brings thoughts not to the future or to the past, but instead to the present moment. It encourages us to pay a en on to the here and now instead of what might have been or what could be. Studies have shown that mindfulness has a variety of posi ve benefits including decrease in stress, reduced markers for inflamma on (risk factors for cancer and heart disease) and improved sleeping habits. Try these simple ways to add mindfulness to your life: Deep Breathing - A few deep, long breaths a few mes a day may be just enough to help you feel grounded and mindful. Medita on - You don t need formal training or a lot of me to try medita on. Simply close your eyes and bring your a en on to your breath. Try to clear your mind. Stretches - Stretching can also help you bring a en on to the present moment by connec ng you with your breath and your physical body. This health p is brought to you by Tabitha, your answer for Elder Care in 28 southeast Nebraska coun es. Ques ons about aging? Tabitha.org, or call ,

7 June 2015 Page 7 SIGNSIGN-UP SHEET for Mowing the Church lawn is located on a table in the Narthex if you would be interested in volunteering for mowing.

8 Hosanna Lutheran Church P.O. Box 301 Plattsmouth, NE Ministers: All Members Pastor: Jim Spanjers Cell # RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Council President Brenda Shafer Care Ministry Director Grace Weisz Under His Wings Baby Pantry & Thrift Shop Coordinator Claudia Wylie Church Office: Debbie Kendall Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM 3:30 PM We welcome all people to worship God by offering our lives in daily witness to the love of Jesus Christ. Our Special Guests on Sunday, June 14th at the 10:00 AM Worship Service will be The Nebraska City Apple Corp Barbershop Chorus. Hope You Can Come & Enjoy This special addition to Our Service