Being Lutheran and Celebrating the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation

Transcription

1 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER GRACE AND PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH SEPTEMBER 2017 Being Lutheran and Celebrating the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation Being a Lutheran today is a role I am proud to say is mine. As Lutherans, we believe in the power of the of God. We cannot do anything to earn our salvation, but because of God s love through Jesus Christ we are God s children and are heirs to God s Kingdom. Here is how the ELCA Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, tells the story of what it means to be a Lutheran: Lutherans have a very particular way of understanding the Jesus story. It s not a movement from unbridled freedom to submission. Rather, it s the story of God redeeming us from sin, death and the devil, setting us free from our bondage to sin so that, liberated and alive, we may serve God by serving the neighbor. And it s not about our effort or goodness or hard work. It s about God s gracious will to be merciful. This is a shattering reversal of the way things have always worked. We don t have a transactional relationship with God if I do this then God will do that. It is a transformational relationship. We who were dead in sin have now been made alive. We are free to respond to that deep abiding love. What we eat, what hymns we sing, what jokes we tell, what counties we hail from, what color we are, what we wear none of this binds us together or makes us Lutheran. It is God s grace. And that is good news in any language. Eaton (2016, elca.org) The celebration of the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation is coming up. Our community will be having a worship celebration on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Evansville National Guard Armory at 3:00 pm. There will be a worship service sponsored by the six ELCA Lutheran churches in Evansville. Bishop William Gafkjen will be presiding. The theme of the National Celebration in Washington DC on October 31 (which will be livestreamed on the ELCA website) is Looking Back, Called Forward. And that is the idea behind our service, too. This service will remember the history that has brought us to this celebration, and then it will focus on the future. A future where we are called to join together across denominations and religions to share and learn from each other, making us stronger in serving all God s children. In closing, I am quoting Bishop Eaton as she reflects on work of the church and looks to future priorities: "Some of the most important words that are spoken in a liturgy are: Go in peace, serve the Lord. So we're sent out each worship time to be engaged in the world, understanding that we're nurtured by the sacraments and the word but that we are called to serve this world and not to see people as problems to be solved."(eaton, 2016, elca.org) Bishop Eaton s four emphases for the church are: We are church. We are Lutheran. We are church together. We are church for the sake of the world. As we plan for out celebration here in Evansville, let s remember these four emphases and claim them as who we are. May God s and Peace be with you, Pastor Roberta

2 Community Garden This gardening year started out like most: what should we plant and when. Indiana weather can play havoc with plans for planting. Most of the plants were bought from the Southwest Indiana Master Gardeners plant sale. They have some of the best plants in the area. Other plants were bought from local box stores. The soil was problematic so about 80 lbs of cow manure was added to each of the existing beds. That was to prove to be inadequate, and a greater effort to improve the soil will be a priority for future efforts. Vicki Oshodi wanted to expand the number of raised beds. We purchased an aluminum bed we planned to use it for beans only. But then Glen Ballard came to our rescue. He gave us two horse troughs, one quite large and one smaller one, plus a tire for additional beds. He also gave us some horse manure which we used in the last three beds. What we finally planted included 12 tomato plants (3 Early Girl, 3 Jet Star, 3 Better Boy and 3 Lemon Boys). This combination was to provide one early tomato, the Early Girl, a medium sized tomato with the Jet star, a large slicer with the Better Boy, and yellow tomatoes which we had not grown before. More and more people need a less acidic tomato and the yellow Lemon Boys fits the bill. We also had eight peppers plants: red, yellow, and green color. We also grew zucchini, yellow squash and cucumber. While there is only one of each plant, we have harvested a lot. The large horse trough has sweet potatoes planted. They will not be ready to harvest for at least a month and a half. We also planted a few herbs. If we continue to grow herbs, we need some basic recipes that can be given with the herbs. We also have planted a baby watermelon. And growing in the compost pile are small pumpkins. Hopefully, at least one will be harvested. Our one failure was green beans. Three separate plantings failed to generate plants. We will try something different next time. No garden is successful without the help of many. has been a real trooper. She has helped with every aspect of the garden, and without her it would not have happened. Two of our Fresh Air partners have also been pivotal: Glenn with his troughs and manure and Angela Huffman with her daughter Emerson, granddaughter Nova and step kids Jasmin, Phoenix and Isis. They have done over half of the watering/weeding. We could not have made it without her and the kids. Also kudos go to Larry Johnson. While & I were gone, Larry kept the garden going. Several have helped with watering: Tom Anderson, Jeff Byrne and Pat Nalin. Kudos also go to the 3 saints from the Men s Outreach at Bluegrass United Methodist. As a service project for their church they came and erected the shed. This was not without several challenges, but they really came through for us. All produce was given to the Mission of to be given to clients of the food pantry. Fresh produce is hard to find in the area around the mission and our hope is to provide a healthy option. We are thankful for all the help in making the garden work. We are hopeful that clients receiving the fresh food will be the big winners.

3 Community Garden

4 A Note From Mary To all my dear friends at and Peace: As you know we came to G & P in 2015 and my husband, Wally, was very ill. I feel we were truly led by the Holy Spirit to your little corner of the world. We felt so welcome and loved from the very start. When I joined your Council as Secretary last fall, I never imagined you would honor me by asking me to lead your Church Council. Just know that I will do my best to serve you, where ever the Lord leads us. Please feel free to bring your ideas and concerns to me at any time. My is maryweimer517@gmail.com, and my cell phone is (509) , (or you can always call the office, and ask Rochelle to have me call you). Mary Reformation 500 Bookstore Our church is having a Reformation 500 Bookstore! The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to learn more about Martin Luther, his writings, and their impact on Christianity? Do you want to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Stop by our Reformation 500 Bookstore October th to shop for engaging books on the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save up to 50% plus receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles. Our Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The books will include bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer as well as an atlas of the European Reformations, a graphic novel for young readers, and primary sources from The Annotated Luther series.

5 I-K Synod

6 I-K Synod (cont.)

7 Scripture Readings for the Sundays in September Sunday Sept 3-13th Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 15:15-21 Psalm 26:1-8 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Sunday Sept 10, th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 33:7-11 Psalm 119:33-40 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 Sunday, Sept 17, th Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 50:15-21 Psalm 103 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35 Sunday Sept 24, th Sunday after Pentecost Jonah 3:10-4:11 Psalm 145:1-8 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-6 Prayer Request Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7 The community of faith at and Peace Lutheran Church is glad for opportunity to pray for you. Please keep these people in your prayers as those we are praying for this week: Those we serve at the Mission of Robert Wallington Lorene Adcock Dereck Blocker Buddy Moore Elaine Musgrave Kevin Stewart Henry Neukam Toryon White Devontae Jones Tom Huddleston Regina Brown Mary Bennett Patty Royer Family of Chris Nalin Eric Long Amber & Joe Family of Tim Moore Ramona Sebree Captain Ryan Marzec, USMC. and wife, Katie, and daughters Eliana and Kyra. Captain Marzec and family is temporarily living in North Carolina near his Marine base. They will return to Evansville just before Christmas. Captain Marzec will deploy to Afghanistan around Jan. 8 th for 10 months. Captain Marzec's wife, Katie, is the daughter of Mary Weimer. Please fill out the form below if you would like to add someone to include in prayer and return to Pastor Roberta. Prayer Request:

8 500th Anniversary od rhw Reformation If anyone would like to be on the refreshment committee for the Reformation Celebration, please contact Donna Ricketts at or

9 Fall Festival Sign Up Brothers and Sisters, Greetings and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you all for being a part of our and Peace family. It s Fall Festival time again. If you were here last year you know that and Peace has a booth at the Fall Festival every year. This year we only have one product to sell, our city wide famous, Donut Bank Burgers. This is the most important fund raiser of the year because the funds we receive from this event keeps the lights on and the doors of this church open to continue God s work. We are always in need of helpers to man the booth. All it takes is just 4 hours out of the week for one shift. You can come as a couple, or a family. You can have friends, relatives, or co-workers to join you if you like. Everyone is welcome! Your participation is needed and greatly appreciated! There is a sign up form on a bulletin board in the Narthex. Please, prayerfully consider signing up for at least 1 shift, and join us in fellowship and fun as we continue to use our hands for God s work. Thank you and God Bless You, Larry Johnson

10

11

12 In Loving Memory Timothy Eric Moore Timothy Eric Moore was born April 2, 1959, to the proud parents, Herman R. Moore, Sr. and Mary A. Mayes-Moore in Evansville, Ind. Timothy departed this life Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at 9:15 a.m. with his mother, family, and fiancé' by his side. Timothy graduated from Central High School and studied Music with an emphasis in Voice at the University of Evansville. He was employed by Red Spot Paint & Varnish Company and later worked in Security at Casino Aztar. Timothy's beautiful voice moved many people. He sang in the Junior Choir at Lutheran Church and then in the famous "Sounds of ". He leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Mary A. Mayes-Moore; brother, Herman R. "Buddy" Moore, Jr. of Evansville; sisters, Cheryl Darlene Lawrence (Phil) of Encino, Calif., Wendy Lorita Moore Horne of Evansville; son, Jeremy Hammerstein of Raleigh, N.C.; uncles, Maurice Mayes (Rachel) of Evansville, Frank W. Mayes of New York; aunt, Doris Moore of Evansville; great-aunt, Corria Mimms of Madisonville; he also leaves to cherish his memories a fiancé, Peggy Pixley of Newburgh; and his loving cat "Lovely"; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

13 This Month at & Peace Lucian & Celestia Snaden Cory & Amy Eads Takiyah Stewart Linda Hudson Larry Johnson Adena Kerney Callie Rogers Kaleah Stewart DeMario Davis Alec Bannister Walker Darla Jones Alijah Stewart Allison Marshall (Walker) Ella Daugherty Joseph Thompson Please contact the church if you or someone in your family is sick, shut-in, hospitalized, or if there is a death in your family. Our Pastor, Roberta Meyer, will be available to come and visit you. Call the church office to set up an appointment (812) Or gracepeacelc1937@gmail.com Friends of Compassion The Vanderburgh County Prosecutors outreach program and the Better Business Bureau will be teaming together for a presentation on Senior Scams. We invite you to join us to raiser your awareness about this problem. Everyone is welcome to attend as this problem is on the increase. Please call (812) or the church office (gracepeacelc1937@gmail.com) by September 1st if you plan to attend. Informational literature will be distributed and they want to have enough. The Friends of Compassion Grief Support Group will meet September 14th at 10:30 am. Thank you, The Friends of Compassion

14 September 2017 and Peace Lutheran Church 200 South Boeke Road Evansville, IN Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 9:30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. 3 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship Communion Council Installation 4 LABOR DAY OFFICE CLOSED 5 6:00 Council Meeting 7:00 Bible Study 6 9:30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 7 6:30 Fresh Air Service 8 9 9:30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. 10 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship Communion Gods Work. Our Hands. 11 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous 6:00 Women s Bible Study 12 7:00 Bible Study 13 9:30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 14 6:30 Fresh Air Service :30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. 3:00-6:00 Gospel Extravaganza St. Johns 17 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship with Communion 18 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous 6:00 Women s Bible Study 19 7:00 Bible Study 6:00 MOG Meal 20 9:30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 21 6:30 Fresh Air Service :30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. Council Retreat 24 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship Communion 25 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous 6:00 Women s Bible Study 26 7:00 Bible Study 27 9:30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 28 6:30 Fresh Air Service Fellowhip Hall Reserved 1-3 Deadline for October 2017 Newsletter: MONDAY, September 25TH

15 Church Council Members Pastor Roberta Meyer President Mary Weimer Secretary Christian Education Congregational Life Larry Johnson Fellowship Our Mission is: To Proclaim God s And Share God s Peace Through Love And Service To All. Finance/Stewardship Team Jeff Byrne Property David Meyer Social Outreach - Vicki Oshodi Treasurer Toni Beumer Worship and Music - Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Church Office: (812) Monday - Friday 9:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. Roberta Meyer (812) Website: gracepeacelc1937@gmail.com and Peace Lutheran Church 200 South Boeke Road Evansville, IN ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED