"e Herald! August 2016, vol. 34 no. 8 - Published Monthly by Resurrection Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 R!urrection 1700 NE 132 nd Ave Portland OR !! "e Herald! Sunday Summer Worship: Contemporary 9:30am; Traditional 11:15am Fellowship 10:30am Holy Communion is Celebrated at all Worship O!erings Ministers: All The People Of Resurrection Pastors: The Rev. Michael O Berg, The Rev. Roger Fuchs Minister of Youth and Family Discipleship: Troy Lutz Children s Minister: Kari Jubb Parish Administrator: Kym Tangen Minister of Music: Todd Marston facebook: facebook.com/resurrectionpdx; youtube: youtube.com/resurrectionpdx August 2016, vol. 34 no. 8 - Published Monthly by Resurrection Lutheran Church A Good Bye For Pastor Mike! Pastor Mike s last Sunday with us will be August 14th. Please plan to attend the celebration to remember his time here at RLC. We will start with one Worship service at 10:30am, followed by a potluck and program. Here are the details: -Sunday, August 14th - One Worship service at 10:30am -Potluck to follow the service (If your last name starts with A-M, bring a main dish. If your last name starts with N-Z, bring a salad). Cake, coffee and lemonade will be provided. -Program to follow the potluck. If you would like to participate in the program, please contact Sue Hiersche (shiersche@aol.com) ( ). -There will be a basket available for your cards and/or gifts for the O Bergs. C & M Publications is the printer of the Herald. The business relationship is very simple and convenient. The Herald is prepared as we always have. However, after our final proof is confirmed our print file is sent electronically to C & M for printing. The Herald will be returned ready for mailing with mailing labels 48 hours later. All at no cost to Resurrection Church, made possible through the support of our local sponsors found on page eleven. We encourage you to read the businesses listed and use them for your personal needs whenever possible. Let them know where you saw their ad. Should you have a business and desire to reach your congregation with your ad message, please call Chris McAdams directly at: Thank you.

2 Pastor Mike s Musings Growing up as a child, my mother and I loved to go to the community pool. It was the olympic sized pool of the local community college. It also had a 14 foot deep end to accommodate the three meter diving board. The high dive represented the pinnacle of bravery. Only the bravest of kids dared climb 20 steps to the top of the platform and then cast themselves off into the vast expanse of space, splashing down into the 14 feet of crystal clear water. For three years I had been going to the pool during the summer months. For $1.50 I could swim for the entire afternoon. Mom would sometimes swim with me or read a book on the pool deck, either way, I was having fun and it got us both out of the house. I would spend hours in the water, holding my breath for as long as I could, swimming the length of the pool as fast as I could, pretending I was a killer whale diving to the depths of the deep end of the pool in search of - anything I could find. But there was one thing that eluded me the high dive. Several times I had actually tried to get myself to jump off the high dive, a couple of times I actually climbed the ladder and walked to the end of the board and peered over the edge. Every time, however, I couldn t get myself to take the leap. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know that I would love the feeling of flying, rather should I say falling, through the air. I knew that once I got myself off that three meter high dive, I would want to do it again and again and again. There was one thing that was keeping me from stepping off and enjoying the ride into the 14 feet of clear water fear. The dictionary defines fear as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. What was I afraid of as I looked down into the water? I don t know. All that I do know is when I stood at the end of that board, my heart pounded, I couldn t catch my breath and all that I wanted to do was get off that platform and back onto the safety of the pool deck. Fear is a powerful emotion. Fear can motivate us to do a lot of things that we would never believe that we are capable of doing and fear can keep up from doing things that we have always longed to do. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of change, fear of disappointing others or the fear of not living up to the expectations of others can keep us from living our lives to the fullest potential that I believe God has placed in each one of us. What is so dangerous about living a life dominated by fear is that it paralyzes [us] and places [us] in a comfort zone that safe and predictable, but causes [us] to waste precious time in [our lives] on things [we] really don t want. (Dr. Phil McGraw, Ladies Home Journal vol. CXXV no.9 pg. 27) I knew that I really, really wanted to leap off the high dive. I thought about it all the time. When my mom and I would walk into the pool area, I started thinking about it summoning up the courage to climb the ladder one more time. But the fear of the unknown what might happen on the way down to the water? What if I breath too soon or too late? What if I hit my head on the bottom? All these thoughts entered my mind and the fear of that unknown kept me from taking the leap. My Bible tells me that we can live life not being dominated by fear. That is not because God has somehow blessed some in a special way that God has not blessed other people. It is not because the teaching of Christianity equip its followers to be better than anyone else that does not share the faith. What I learn from my faith with respect to living my life in a fearless fashion is that my life is not defined by my personal success or failure. My life is defined by my relationship with God and God is well pleased. I believe that God created us to live our lives full of abundance and not burdened by fear. God s desire for all people is that we live our lives directing our energies into endeavors that are more fulfilling than living a life of fear. In the we rods of Elphaba from the musical Wicked, it time to leap! The future is uncertain, but it is in God s hands. Let us be bold and be brave for the Lord, our God is with us! Peace!

3 ADULT BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES! Everyone is welcome to join us for any of the following Bible Studies that we currently offer here at RLC. If you have any questions about any of these Bible Studies, please contact Kym in the office at or Men s Monday Morning Manna Meets August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 7:00am in the Luther Lodge Tuesday Morning Bible Study Meets August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 9:45am in the RLC Library MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Wonderful Wednesday Returns! September 21st BBQ & Worship September is a time of new beginnings. The new school year, the new church school year, and a new year of church ministries and activities. All of which are all worth remembering, celebrating, and dedicating in worship. This season after Pentecost is also a season for growth and in fact some churches use the name "Growing Time" for this season as we celebrate our spiritual growth as individual believers and as the body of Christ. Join us on 9/21 for a BBQ and worship, a worship service and blessing for all RLC ministries in the up-coming year. What s New? Dinner at 5:45 - Program at 6:30 - No worship - Homeward bound at 7:30 PM During the season of Advent and Lent we will meet for dinner at 5:45 and participate in a complete worship service using the Holden Evening Prayer service. Grief Share will meet on Thursday s starting September 1st through December 8th from 4:30-6:30pm in the RLC Library!! This faith-based grief recovery support group is open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. The 13 week GRIEF SHARE program is designed to help participants process and heal the deep hurt of loss. Each session will utilize a video presentation, discussion, and workbook exercises. You are welcome to begin attending at any point. Each session is self contained so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will be able to pick up any sessions you missed in the next 13 week cycle. There is a $15 fee for the workbook. If you are interested in learning more about this support group, please contact the co-facilitators, Leslie Sawyer, sawyerle@aol.com or Judy Yudt, judy.yudt@gmail.com.

4 THEOLOGY ON TAP WILL RETURN IN THE FALL! Details coming soon. UPCOMING OUTREACH/FELLOWSHIP EVENTS!!! Next Outreach/Fellowship Meeting - September 6:00pm - You are welcomed and needed!!! Fall Kickoff Event - September 11th 2016 Ministry Fair - September 18th 9:00am RLC Halloween Party - October 28th - MANY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! Please see Jerry Sharpe if you have any questions or want to help with any of these events!! Summer Work Party!! It is time to do more cleaning and maintenance to spiff up our church. Check your calendar and consider signing up to help with the clean up on Saturday, August 27 th from 9:00am until 1:00pm. Bring work gloves and gardening tools if you have any. Let us know your intentions by signing up on the sign up form on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall so we can plan snacks and chores. If you are not available to help that day, consider tackling a chore on your own prior to that day or helping financially to complete a task. See Nanette Sutherland, our Property Chairman, for ideas and for answers to any questions ( ). Thank you in advance for helping out. Many hands make light work!

5 Thank You! We are so fortunate to have members who take on special responsibilities at RLC. We are fortunate to have members who have special gifts that they are willing to share with us. I want to recognize some of the generous people who share their gifts and talents with us. The next time you see them, I hope you will take time to thank them too. They are generous and dedicated and add value to our mission and ministry here at RLC. Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:21. Keith Kunerth: Keith was left off the May 14th work party Thank you list last month. Sorry Keith. We appreciate your help with the hedge trimming. Thank you for spending your Saturday with the team. Terry Armstrong & Brenda Kayser: Terry & Brenda have taken on the task of replenishing the pew racks each week. They are keeping the racks stocked with connection cards & brochures. Terry & Brenda also got an extra workout at cleanup for Day Camp the week of July 11th-15th. Kids can be messy. Thanks Terry & Brenda for pitching in with a smile on your face! Mike Petke: The guy with the paint brush in hand at the church in July was Mike. He was touching up some of the areas around the offices. Thanks Mike. Jerry Sharpe, Orpha Neils, Joan Wussow, Joan Russell & Katie Petke: The Book Sale on June 3 & 4 brought in $320 that will go towards shipping charges for Operation Christmas Child. Stay tuned, boxes will be distributed in September. Thank you to Jerry, Orpha, Joan, Joan and Katie for all your efforts to make the sale a success! Kari Jubb & Troy Lutz: Kari & Troy lead the volunteers who provided a joyful experience to the 85 kids who participated in Day Camp the week of July 11th-15th. Thanks Kari & Troy. Sue Hiersche, Council President God Speed and God Bless!! It s with great sadness that we are losing not one but two of our valued staff at Resurrection. I m inviting all of you to take a moment and thank Kari Jubb for her hard work and dedication in serving Resurrection as the Children s Minister these past couple of years. Her hard work has been evident as she has taken us in new directions - creating and implementing new ministry opportunities for both children and parents. Although Kari s resignation falls on the tale of Pastor Mikes announcement about leaving RLC, Kari s decision to resign is due to personal and family obligations and is not a result of Pastor Mike leaving. There will not be a big party for Kari as she has requested that we do not have a good-bye celebration. Instead, please join me in saying thank-you to Kari and wish her well. Kari, thank-you for a job well done. You are loved and you will be missed! God speed and God bless!

6 Out to Make a Difference - Fi2h and Sixth Grade Youth Day Camp for the fi/h and sixth grade youth this year was less than normal as we set out to do, create and perfect something completely new. This wasn t just day camp this was the Fi/h and Sixth Grade Experience. The intent for this experience was to create a hands on mission experience in local, global, and internal service. Local Mission On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday our local mission emphasis consisted of weeding the community garden at SnowCap. What a job. The group was asked to weed the pathways on rocky ground. This is a hard task for anyone let alone a group of fi/h and sixth graders. But they did it. Check out the photos of before and a/er. This experience was much more than just a work project, this project lent itself to a discussion about how we are the garden and how God tends to us pulling our weeds and making room for the good stuff to grow. While debriefing the youth some said that this job was too hard, some said that it was borrowing, while others said that they wanted to just give up. When it comes to tending our garden, tending to our needs is not boring, nothing is too difficult, and God does not give up on us! Global Mission For millions of people across India, their most basic necessity for life water is also one of their biggest enemies. 128 million people in India lack safe water, and the World Bank essmates that 21 percent of all communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe drinking water. Providing water wells will supply families in rural villages with clean drinking water, prevensng deaths and diseases caused by water borne parasites. On Tuesday July 12th we hosted a car wash at RLC to benefit these families in India that do not have access to clean drinking water. I am happy to say that together we raised over $ This is more than enough money to provide a lifesme of fresh water to 8 families. Again this experience was more than just a project. Some of the best ways to grow ones faith is to make faith experiensal. Water is so plensful in the states. We use it to wash cars, dishes, do laundry, take showers, to play, and more.

7 Water is the source of life for all living organisms, plants and creatures. Through this acsvity we discussed the importance of water in our lives, how Jesus is represented as the life giving water and why water is the earthly element used in bapssm. Internal Mission One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debasng. NoScing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:28-31 This was our core scripture for the week and one of the quessons that came out of this was who is your neighbor? Boeom line everyone, even those you live with! God has called us to care for everyone in the same way that we care for ourselves. In the same way that we clothe ourselves, feed ourselves and care for our basic needs we too as believers in Jesus Christ have the responsibility to see that all people are gegng the same basic needs met. Tucked into the middle of it all were lots of games, a water day, and a trip to Oaks Park but finishing up this jam packed week was a Sme of internal mission. On Friday the youth came together one last Sme to set the fellowship hall up for the daycamp lunch. The youth grilled over 200 hot dogs, prepared the remaining items for lunch, and set up the fellowship hall to serve hunger needs of 90 children and their parents. Final Thoughts Before the dust had even seeled with the evacuason of the masses, we received an from one of the parents that brought several children to the 2016 daycamp experience. So touched and moved by the children s experience this past week she wrote: The kids in the 5-6 grade program felt valued, were able to give back to Snow-Cap, a program their parents have had to depend upon in the past. They thrived in a program that allowed them to give back rather than always feeling they are on the receiving end. Both also want consnued contact with the church and are asking quessons about how God works! For my group full of early childhood abuse/trauma kids, this was an incredible experience, one they won t soon forget. Thank you so much for allowing them to come, to experience, to know God s love through your acsons!

8 A Note from Sue.. August is here and September is just around the corner. September will bring us Fall Kickoff on September 11th. The Kickoff will promote our fall programs. Stay tuned for more information. The fall will also bring about some changes for RLC with Pastor Mike and his family moving to a new congregation in Fargo, North Dakota. What a great opportunity for Pastor Mike to be Senior Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo. I suspect RLC will seem like a very tiny church compared to the membership size of Faith Lutheran Church. We will miss Pastor Mike who has shared ministry with us here for the last 5 ½ years. I will especially miss his sermons and his teaching. There have been many times I have left church thinking he was speaking directly to me (my need) today or I really needed to hear that message today. I m sure many of you have felt the same. Pastor Mike has a way of delivering God s Word in a way that speaks to us directly. We will miss that. Fortunately for us, Pastor Mike brought his family with him to RLC when he came 5 ½ years ago. Michelle, Michael and Marissa have been our partners in ministry and we are so grateful for the gifts they have shared with us and for their time with us. Michelle has been an integral part of our children s program besides volunteering to assist with worship and communion, and sing and even play bass guitar with the Praise Band. Pastor Mike has also been an integral part of the Praise Band. Even Michael has gifted us with his drumming with the Praise Band. They are a very talented family. They will be missed. And who cannot forget 4 year old Marissa dancing joyfully in the aisles during worship when they first came to RLC. What a lesson we need to take from her! We should all sing and dance so joyfully! So obviously, we will miss the O Bergs but we are also happy and excited for them as they start this new journey. Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Thessalonians 1:3) We will be celebrating our time with the O Bergs over the next few weeks as we say goodbye. Plan to worship with us on their last Sunday, August 14th and stay for the party. Details are on the front page and will be announced at church and via Mail Chimp. I hope you are signed up for Mail Chimp. If not, send your information to Sally Ritchie at mlritchie@frontier.com. She will add you to the distribution list. While we are saying our good-byes to the O Berg, the Council will be working on our transition plan and beginning the Call Process for a new Pastor. As I write this in July, there are still many plans to make so stay tuned. It will be important for us to utilize this time of transition to talk about our vision for RLC and discern what God is calling us to be and what He is calling us to do. Pray for the O Bergs as they start their new journey and pray for our congregation as we work on our vision for ministry here at RLC. Sue Hiersche.RLC Council President

9 JUNE COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Summary year-to-date through May 31, 2016: Income was less than expenses by $25, Income of $136, was $22, less than the planned $158,624.56, indicating further losses in membership support than were projected for Financial Recommendations from the Finance Committee were made to cut some costs. The fall kick-off of activities will be September 11, The fellowship and worship committees and staff will be planning the event Jerry Sharpe and Steve Dougherty will be heading up planning. A patriotic theme was decided on. Kari Jubb submitted a childcare policy to the council. Amazon Smile is a program where non-profits can sign-up to earn profits every time a member purchases from Amazon. Kari Jubb asked for permission to sign-up the Children s Ministry program. Members can use Amazon Smile when they shop on Amazon and the Children s Ministry program will get a small donation. The R4 Committee has discussed using some available funds to purchase bark chips that will be blown in to the landscaping around the church. The committee will also purchase a small waterless water heater to replace the water heater in the janitor s closet by the stage. RLC VISITATION TEAM! If you know someone who would appreciate a visit, with or without communion, please let Orpha Neils know. If you would enjoy visiting people at home, let Orpha Neils know. You will be a blessing and you will be blessed. If you are going to the hospital or are in need of prayers or know of someone in need of prayers, let us know! We can t pray for you if we don t know who you are or what to pray for. God Bless You All.

10 AUGUST MISSION OF THE MONTH SNOWCAP!! At Christmas they receive a lot of stuff. Last month only 10% as much Here is a WISH LIST: tuna fish, canned meat, peanut butter, canned fruit, toilet paper, feminine products and travel shampoo. SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Please see the bulletin board for a full list. You know what kids need. Place items in basket in the Fellowship Hall. CLOTHING: New socks and underwear and clothing for school. There are barrels behind the information desk for clothing all year long. Clean, good used clothing is much appreciated as well as new! Thank you for all that you do to make life a little better for those in need. RLC AUGUST BOOK REPORT.. I Dared to Call Him Father An easy read, this book is the true first person account of a wealthy, aristocratic Pakistani Muslim woman who converted to Christianity after a series of puzzling dreams. She procured a Bible and spent much time in searching the scriptures and prayer, and she formed deep friendships with Christian missionaries in her village. Bilquis s devout Muslim relatives shunned her and in at least one time her life was in danger. However, she persevered in spite of the difficult circumstances in which she found herself as a result of her conversion. Her story is fascinating. I Dared to Call Him Father by Bilquis Sheikh can be found in the Heroes of Faith section of the Memorial Collections. Check it out in your RLC Library! AUGUST FAIR TRADE COFFEE NEWS Cocoa from the Philippines Through the auspices of Lutheran World Relief and their Fair Trade partners nearly 2,200 Philippine farmers have received seeds and shears, along with training on how to grow cacao plants and properly ferment and dry cacao for optimum quality. Because of this program Jowen and Lorenda Joromat now run a thriving cacao seedling nursery in the green mountains of Northern Mindanao. Working together, the couple tends seedlings, grafts trees, and fulfills seedling orders. Their income is growing so steadily that they feel confident that they will be able to send all of their three children to college. You can participate in this venture of faith by purchasing cocoa or chocolate bars in our Fellowship Hall the first Sunday of each month. Your support is much appreciated.

11 RESURRECTION LUTH. CHURCH WOULD LIKE TO THANK THESE BUSINESSES FOR MAKING OUR NEWSLETTER POSSIBLE Lawyer James C. Niedermeyer Simple Will $50.00 Injuries Family Law Accidents Inheritances Probate Trusts Social Security Disability Real Estate Bankruptcy Immigration Christian Retirement Community (503) NE 108th Ave. Portland Toll Free SE Sandy Blvd. Portland Seniors our Concern - Christ our Motivation ELECTRIC COMPANY SERVICE & INNOVATION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Since 1955 CCB # S-E. Stark St. Portland, OR Heatisi 110CP CCB# Heating & Cooling Radiant Flooring Ventilation Boilers NE Halsey Portland In Christ's Love, Everyone is Someone Cottages Apartments Skilled Rehab Long Term Care 1280 NE Kane Dr. Gresham, OR Resurrection Luth. Ch. / For advertising information, please call (951)

12 Resurrection 1700 NE 132 nd Ave Portland OR Kym s Korner Betty Palmer has moved again:) Please update your records: 8709 SE Causey Ave., Apt Happy Valley, OR Pat Martin-Jones has a new address & Foxgrove Road - Sun City, CA patthepoet@yahoo.com Just a reminder.we are no longer mailing our Herald newsletter. If you know of someone who is not able to attend church, please check in on them and hand deliver a copy! Thank You RLC Friends!