SUMMER PLEDGE DRIVE. God s Work, Our Hands

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1 Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas Phone Hours Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Volume No God s Work, Our Hands June 2015 Edition Inside this issue: Message from Pr. Skip 1 Global Initiatives 2 Prayer List 2 Sunday Readings 2 Sunday Education 2 Summer Worship 2 Baptism Festivals 2 Birthdays/Anniversaries 2 VBS/Day Camp Graduation Sunday 4 Summer of Service 4 Round Rock Express 4 Men s Fellowship 4 Sunday Fellowship 4 Baby Carlyn Anderson 5 Father s Day 5 Education Opportunities 5 Property Help 5 Sunday Ed. Continues 5 Council Nominations 6 Polka Sunday 6 Peace Lutheran 6 Did you know...library 6 Confirmation 7 Kindred Sisters 7 SE Texas Synod Report 8 Are we missing you? 9 Choir 9 Pentecost Sunday 9 May Council Highlights 10 Save the Dates 10 State of the Church 10 Worship Assistants 11 Calendar 12 SUMMER PLEDGE DRIVE I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail! Stewardship is a year-round effort! Wait, wait! Don t stop reading because you re thinking this will be an appeal to make certain you continue to respond to God s goodness via your weekly tithe and offering. As far as I m concerned, that s a given! This is a summer only pledge drive! And, it s about your spiritual journey and your commitment of time. Everyone realizes summer is a time when the routine of daily living changes dramatically and a certain cultural mindset seems to take over. Easily understood by households that include school-aged children! However, the argument can be made that the mentality concerning the months of summer often impacts us all. Summer is a time of rest and relaxation. It s a time of escape and vacations, weekend excursions and stay-cations. Summer is me time and my chance to do a lot of things that you just can t do in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. No one really knows why it just happens that way. Several years ago I read in a church newsletter (a seminary classmate pastors that church) about their Summer Pledge Drive. It was one sentence in length and quite to the point: If I m in town, I m in church each Sunday. No gimmicks. No formulas. No card to fill out and place on the altar. Just an invitation to take the pledge! There you have it the Summer Pledge Drive at Lord of Life Lutheran Church: If I m in town, I m in church each Sunday. I invite each and every member/disciple of our faith community to get on board and spiritually sign-up. Make the commitment to God that you will intentionally be present in worship throughout the summer months. Build your summer activities around God rather than trying to fit God into your summer activities. Hopefully everyone knows by now that starting Sunday, June 7 we move into a summer schedule of only one worship service on Sunday mornings 9:30 a.m. Weather permitting, we will continue meeting for coffee, tea, cookies, and fellowship on the deck beginning at 9:00 a.m. This provides a great opportunity to share Godsighting stories with one another and the joys of God s never-ending presence in our lives throughout the week. MAKE THE SUMMER PLEDGE, IF I M IN TOWN, I M IN CHURCH EACH SUNDAY. In the name of Jesus, Pr. Skip

2 Page 2 GLOBAL INITIATIVES 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. PRAYER LIST Ann Willman, Angie Parr, John Duarte, Marge Robison, Alan Sisco, Lolly Grunska, Linda Vaughn, Connie Timko, Ann Bender, Bill Hoffman, Stephen Welhausen, Harry & Martha Bengston, Crystal Dyer Allbritton, Peggy Suggs, Jesse Mitchell, Paul Marsh, People of Nepal SUNDAY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Life-Lines THANK YOU to everyone who made Sunday Christian Education a huge success this year. We enjoyed a variety of people facilitating a variety of topics and a record number of people exploring God s Word and building relationships at Lord of Life. How exciting it is to see so many people gathered here, learning, living and loving Gods word! Thank you to everyone who participated or taught. A huge thank you to Dave Smith, Heather Simpson, Kori Weston, Laura & Tony Lopez, Tealithia Oliver, Shari Lagerstrom, Mindy Penland, Lloyd Haskins, Marilee Parsons, Pastor Skip, Felicia Wachsmann, Marge Robison, Jim & Cindy Tarsi, Barb Ferriola, Rob Northcutt, Denise Sheehan, and guest teacher Rabbi Baesh for giving your time and devotion to education here at Lord of Life! SUMMER WORSHIP Beginning June 7 and until August 30, we will go to one service at 9:30am on Sunday mornings. Please mark your calendar!! BAPTISM FESTIVALS The next celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be on Sunday nearest Holy Cross Day, September 13. Anyone who has not been baptized is invited to come and wade in the waters of eternal life. Please contact Pr. Skip for a pre-baptism appointment. The remaining Baptism Festival for 2015 is: All Saints Day, November 1 Contact Pr. Skip as soon as possible concerning which festival day works best for you. SUNDAY READINGS June 7 Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 June 14 Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92:1-4, Corinthians 5:6-17 Mark 4:26-34 June 21 Job 38:1-11 Psalm 107:1-3, Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41 June 28 Lamentations 3:22-33 Psalm 30 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43 Birthdays: Simpson, Dustin 06/02 Grunska, Christopher 06/03 Hart, Amy 06/03 Scott, Jennifer 06/04 Prather, Lindsey 06/05 Niedert, Kira 06/07 Smith, Timothy 06/07 Brown, Michael 06/14 Redus, Tracey 06/16 Willenborg, Avery 06/21 Estes, William 06/23 Oliver, Manuel 06/24 Fink, Richard 06/25 Duarte, Nathaniel 06/26 Duarte, Nicolas 06/26 Kaloustian, Eugene 06/26 Smith, Chapin 06/27 Crawford, Dorothy 06/28 Rohne, Jr., Paul 06/28 Anniversaries: Gregory & Kori Weston 06/06 David & Amy Hart 06/10 Gary & Marilee Parsons 06/11 Robert & Linda Lane 06/22 Jim & Cindy Tarsi 06/24 Patrick Egan 06/25 Carol Bender 06/26 Russell Parr & Angie Parr 06/30

3 Volume No Page 3 DON T MISS IT! VBS IS ALMOST HERE! REGISTER NOW AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS! JUNE 22-26, 9AM-12PM KIDS 4 YEARS 7 TH GRADE GAMES SCIENCE MOVIES MUSIC FUN REGISTER ONLINE NOW AT LUTHERHILL DAYCAMP RIGHT HERE AT LORD OF LIFE JULY 13-17, 8:30AM 3:30PM COME ENJOY THE FUN AS WE EXPLORE THE THEME ACT JUSTLY LOVE MERCY WALK HUMBLY WE WILL PLAY, SING, WORSHIP AND WORK TOGETHER! JOIN US FOR A WEEK OF CAMPING FUN! IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF A LATER PICKUP TIME FOR YOUR CHILD, JUST LET US KNOW AND WE WILL TRY TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR NEEDS! REGISTER ONLINE NOW! CAN YOU HELP? LORD OF LIFE VBS and DAYCAMP are in need of volunteers to make these programs a success! Please prayerfully consider lending your gifts to these awesome programs. There are many different opportunities available and we need you to step up and volunteer NOW! Wondering how you can help? Just call or talk to Wendy Waggoner ( ) or Barb Ferriola ( ) and we will get you plugged in to help! For VBS, you can sign up to volunteer online too! Don t wait for us to search for you, let s leave the adventure for the kids, so please SIGN UP NOW!

4 Page 4 GRADUATION SUNDAY We will celebrate our graduates (high school and college) with a reception on June 7. HS Graduates include: Callie Prather, Madeline Smith, Connor Sellers College Graduates: Blake Traywick (A&M) Life-Lines SUMMER OF SERVICE DRIVES This summer LOL will continue a new tradition of monthly collection drives for those in need. June 7 - Socks & Undies Sunday (new socks/underwear for Hill Country Ministries) July 5 - Gimme Shelter Sunday (new sheet sets/toiletry items) August 2 - Food for Though Sunday (benefits Bread for All Food Pantry) You can donate any Sunday during the month, but the 1st Sunday will also include a noisy offering to benefit that designated charity. Bring all your loose change/dollars for a special offering collected in pie pans just to be noisy in our giving! For more information see an Evangelism/Outreach ministry member (Denise Sheehan, Mindy Penland, Dick Fink, Erica Smith or Felicia Wachsmann). Take me out to the ball game!! ROUND ROCK EXPRESS game ROUND ROCK EXPRESS GAME July 7:05 Tickets are $7.00 each. 1/2 price Reserved Seats in the shade! Best of all. $1.00 Hot Dogs and Cokes! & Great fellowship Sign up in the welcome center or send an or text Nick MEN S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST Attention men of LOL!! Men s breakfast, June No fellowship experience required! Bring a good appetite as the food is great! FELLOWSHIP If we ENJOY coffee and cookies on Sunday Mornings we need YOUR assistance. We need people to sign up to serve, and host coffee and treats (cookies) Sunday mornings. These people will need to put coffee in pump carafes, and cookies on a plate. Also they will need to greet people, look for visitors etc... Another option is bringing cookies or similar treats (4 to 5 dozen) or donating ($20). Before leaving for the morning the coffee pots carafes and plates need to be emptied rinsed and or washed. So on a Sunday morning we could have one two or three volunteers. Find a partner to work with and volunteer once a month or every other month.

5 Volume No Page 5 ANNOUNCING BABY CARLYN SUE ANDERSON Precious Baby Carlyn Sue Anderson was born April 25, She weighed 7lbs. 13oz! Congratulations to Erik, Korey and big brother Crosby!!! CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES continuing through the summer. Feeling like you have a little more time for delving into God's word this summer? Then Join with Pastor Skip on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm in the cafe for a study of the book of Matthew. This study continues to stretch the way we study and live God's word! Another opportunity (for ladies) is led by Marge Kretschmar on Thursday mornings at 9:30 am at LaMadeleine Lakeline location. The current study is on Perseverance by Eugene Peterson but changes every six weeks so come anytime! Call the church office if you have questions about either of these great opportunities, or just stop by and join in, you'll be glad you did!! Thank you to Pastor Skip and Marge Kretschmar for their commitment and passion to leading these study groups!! PROPERTY HELP Your church wants you!!!!! The church wants people to help maintain the property on an ongoing basis (weekly, every 2 weeks, monthly, etc.). We are looking for people to mow, trim, help maintain flowers and shrubs, etc. We have the big equipment needed (riding mowers, push mowers, a gas trimmer and a gas blower). Please contact the office or Mike Brown if you are available and willing to assist. SUNDAY EDUCATION CONTINUES SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION CONTINUES ON STARTING SUNDAY, JUNE 14TH AT 8:30AM! Look for topic details in the news and leaflet coming soon.

6 Page 6 COUNCIL NOMINATIONS The Lord of Life council nominating committee is searching for nominations to the next Congregational Council. If you are interested, please speak with Rex Schroeder, Marge Kretschmar or Dick Fink. The members of the Congregation Council are expected to set an example to other members by living up to member expectations to: 1) Worship weekly. 2) Grow in understanding God s word, will, and way through scripture study. 3) Actively participate in the ministries of the church. 4) Thank God through financial gifts (strive to tithe). 5) Pray daily. 6) Reach out to others in the church and community. Life-Lines POLKA SUNDAY Mark your calendars for July 19 when we plan to have a special worship service and fellowship. We ve asked a Polka Band from Shiner, TX to come to Lord of Life that day they play all of the music, including the liturgy, in polka music! Weather permitting, we ll hold the service out on our deck. And we ll follow the service with a potluck. We ll provide bratwurst and chicken; we ll ask you to bring a dish to share more information on that will be provided closer to the date. It should be a lot of fun and we encourage you to help us celebrate that day. CELCRATE WITH PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH On Sunday, June 21, 3:00 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church will install its new pastor, The Rev. Carolyn Albert Donovan. All members of Lord of Life are encouraged to attend this joyful celebration as we join with Peace, our Conference sisters and brothers, in welcoming their new Pastor. DID YOU KNOW THAT LOL HAS A LIBRARY??? Here is a little history - there have been two librarians since LOL was started. Erica Smith was the first when we were on Amherst St., and I have been the librarian since our congregation began at our current location on Neenah. The library is located in the Sr. High Sunday School room, and there is a lot of great reading material and there is even a DVD, children s and youth section. Suggested reading material is on the middle shelf directly under the window. It is very easy to check out a book/dvd: Put y our name, date and title of item in the binder that is on the book shelf to the left of the door as you enter the library. When you return your book/dvd, be sure to cross your name out of the binder! PLEASE DO NOT RESHELF BOOKS/DVDs. Put returned items in the return book basket at the back of the library beside the children s book shelf. Donation of books are welcome, and it allows me to offer a change in some of the reading material. Please check your book shelves at home for any LOL books you might have, as sometimes books are taken to be read without siging them out. Thank you for using your church library. WE LOVE BOOKS and reading is a wonderful way to escape from the hustle and bustle of our daily living. By Donna Estes

7 Volume No Page 7 CONFIRMATION Congratulations to the young adult members who affirmed their baptismal vows through the rite of confirmation on Sunday, May 24. We give God thanks for their presence and pray that God bless them in their continuing spiritual journey. Brady Kaloustian, Oscar Lopez, Carter Parsons, Harley Ekrut, Kadyn Weston KINDRED SISTERS Our May meeting was held on Tuesday, May 5th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Koinonia Cafe at LOLLC. Glenace Klinker presented a wonderful presentation on her recent trip to Africa. She showed pictures and told about some very exciting events during her trip. She also had puchased special items during the trip and had them on display. Thank you so much, Glenace! You did a great job! We all would love to take a trip like that! We had devotions, prayer, and then enjoyed fellowship as we ate our sack lunch and enjoyed delicious dessert treats prepared by our May hostess, Virginia Pfluger. Thank you so much, Virginia! Our June meeting will be on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 10:30 a.m. at the Koinonia Cafe. Marge Kretschmar will present a very interesting Bible Study, related to her recent trip to Washington, D.C., and all the history of our country! Please bring your own sack lunch, and dessert and refreshments will be provided by our hostess, Joanne Forseth. We hope you can join us for a special time of friendship and fellowship. All ladies and friends of LOLLC are cordially invited to attend. Hope to see you on June 2nd! Just a reminder - there will be no meeting in July, as many are traveling, vacationing, etc. We will have our August meeting luncheon at a local restaurant.

8 Page SOUTHEST TEXAS SYNOD ASSEMBLY REPORT Life-Lines Wendy Waggoner, Dick Fink and Pastor Skip represented LOLLC at the Synod Assembly, held in McAllen, TX, May 1-3. Chuck Neeley attended as a member of Synod Council. The theme was Welcome the Stranger. Offering: This assembly's offering will be split between the ministries of Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (now Upbring, Resolution in Support of Synodical and Congregational Conversations about Ministering to Same Gender Couples and their Families: Approved. The main relevance of the resolution calls all Synod congregations to engage in study regarding the marriage of couples in life long, monogamous, same gender relationships, recognizing that the legalization of samegender marriage in other states and across the Dick Fink, Chuck Neeley, Wendy Waggoner, Pastor Skip Wachsmann United States poses new opportunities and challenges for the church. While doing so may be challenging, we are called to engage in conversations regarding the hard issues that face us so that we can minister more effectively to our congregations and communities. Resolution to End Immigration Family Detention Practices: Approved. Some of the largest federal immigration detention facilities are located in our Synod, holding many women and children in what many would consider in-humane conditions. This resolution urges action leading to ending these practices. Other resolution and election results can be found in the Vista report. ( assemblyreport2015.pdf) A full text of the resolutions voted on by the Assembly can be found at Resolutions.pdf. The Bishop s Report: Bishop Tiemann focused on the tendency for congregations, and individuals, to get turned-in on themselves. He challenges us to be outwardly focused, to find a way to experiment in your ministry setting, whatever setting that may be, that helps you get out of your church buildings and off of your property and into your community. You can do that by using devotions at meetings to Dwell in the Word and listen to what the Word of God is saying to you. Meet a stranger through a community event or a restaurant and talk faith over coffee. Hold a prayer walk in the neighborhood around your congregation or your home. Take a Sunday to worship with one of the synod s missions or synodically authorized worshipping communities. Talk to a school administrator about how the congregation can help students meet the challenges they face. Go to the courthouse and visit with your Commissioner to discover what the significant issues are that the district faces and how the church might help. And above all, find ways to Welcome the Stranger.

9 Volume No Page 9 ARE WE MISSING YOU??? It is easy to get included in the Lord of Life Photo Directory!! You have multiple options to get included: Bring a photo to church and drop it in the photo basket in the Narthex. a photo to Christi at office@lordoflifeaustin.org, or to Nick at nlferriola@netscape.net. Take a selfie and text it to Nick at Check with Barb or Nick after the service, and they will take your picture for you! Follow the link to easily upload your own photo to insert into the church directory. You can even take a selfie now and upload it. And did you know that you can log in online to see the directory? The new feature makes it easy for all members to gain access to our directory for quick and easy access on your PC. Follow the link and log in as member. The directory can also be added as a free app on iphones, Android phones and Kindles. Go to the app store on your device and download the app instantchurchdirectory and install/log on. As a side note, all changes are updated every four hours. CHOIR PENTECOST SUNDAY We want to thank David Pencil, Jim Tarsi, Marsett Freitag, John Duarte, and John Paul Crawford for helping us make Pentecost Sunday so special! We truly experienced the Holy Spirit s presence through the gift of language when the music, readings, and prayers were done in other languages the Kyrie in Latin (David), French (Marsett), Hebrew (Jim), German (John Paul), and Spanish (John). Thank you all for your participation! As the choir season comes to a close, I just want to say thanks to everyone who participated in the special music and cantatas this season. We had some new singers join our ranks for the Easter cantata, and I hope we'll continue to see newcomers joining the choir in the Fall. The second half of this season also saw the formation of our praise singers group, which has steadily grown in confidence and presence as part of the musical element of the late service. This group, as all other music groups at LOL remains open to any who would like to participate. Over the Summer, the praise singers will serve the combined service at points where praise music is performed. Finally, I would particularly like to encourage participation in special music through the Summer, whether as a soloist, group, or instrumentalist. For example, if you or your child plays an instrument, they could play the melody to a hymn as they're accompanied by the piano. Any way in which you can participate adds to the overall richness of the musical experience at LOL, so please don't hesitate to talk with David Pencil about how and when you can contribute in serving the congregation through music!

10 Page 10 New members JUNE COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Volume No Constitution Received two new members to Lord of Life. Adoption meeting moved to June 14. Election of new council members on June 28. Land clearing on Lord of Life property Youth Leader St Vincent also clearing their property, so LOLLC will save funds. Property Ministry needs to work on moving the storage shed and putting a fence around it. Current candidate approved. Education Ministry will coordinate with candidate on final job details. Synod Assembly Offering Assembly Offering in support of LSPS (Seminary of the Southwest Lutheran) and LSSS (Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest) in amount of $1000 as part of the special offering collected at the assembly. Capital North Conference Lord of Life will give dues in the amount of $525 to the Capital North Conference (Synod conference for Lord of Life) this amount came from the Conference s suggested $3 per member (based on 175 Lord of Life communicant members). Office Manager maternity leave The office manager will be out for a few months on maternity leave. Suggestion of temporary employees to cover the responsibilities of the position in her absence. Liturgical banners Treasurer Worship Ministry to have a new set of liturgical season colored banners made to hang on sanctuary walls. Search in effect for new Treasurer to be effective August 31, If you would like more information on any of these items, or on any other church matters, please contact a member of Council. Thank you for your prayers and your involvement in Lord of Life. Jim Tarsi Council Secretary SAVE-THE-DATES June 7 - Graduate Sunday & Summer Schedule begins June 14 - Congregational meeting to ratify new Constitution June 21 - Father s Day June 28 - Congregational meeting to elect new council members Income for Apr.: $35, 648 Income YTD: $122,206 Expenses for Apr.: $29, 804 Expenses YTD: $110,063 Net Gain for Apr.: $ 6, 614 Net Gain YTD: $12,143 Worship Attendance 05/03/ /10/ /17/ /24/ /31/ Weekly Average 112 YTD Total 2371 Weekly Average 108

11 Page 11 Worship Leaders for June 2015 June Color: White Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Deb Grunska Lector: Felicia Wachsmann Media Assistant: Lloyd Haskins Communion Assistant: Cindy Wallace, Wendy Waggoner, Dee Smith, TBD Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Wilks, Dustin, Dax, and Dakota Simpson Altar Guild: Dee Smith Acolyte: TBD Tellers: Jennifer Niedert & Mindy Penland Flowers: Wachsmann Family, because we love the Lord! Life-Lines June 14, 2015 Color: White Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Lloyd Haskins Lector: Horace Pennington Media Assistant: Rex Schroeder Communion Assistant: Nell Pennington, Donna Hagens, TBD, TBD Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Wilks, Dustin, Dax, and Dakota Simpson Altar Guild: Cindy Wallace Acolyte: TBD Tellers: Jennifer Niedert & Mindy Penland Flowers: Virginia Pfluger June 21, 2015 Father s Day Color: White Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: TBD Lector: TBD Media Assistant: Connor Sheehan Communion Assistant: TBD Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert & Gary Wilks, Bob & Linda Lane, Clayton Wachsmann Altar Guild: Heather Simpson & Avery Willenborg Acolyte: TBD Tellers: Jennifer Niedert & Mindy Penland Flowers: Cindy & Jim Tarsi, in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary June Color: White Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Lloyd Haskins Lector: Stacey Mathews Media Assistant: Dick Fink Communion Assistant: Stecey Mathews, TBD Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert & Gary Wilks, Bob & Linda Lane, Clayton Wachsmann Altar Guild: Neeleys Acolyte: TBD Tellers: Jennifer Niedert & Mindy Penland Flowers: Bob & Linda Lane, in celebration of their wedding anniversary

12 Volume No Page 12 J u n e Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 11:00am Babywearing Meeting 7:00pm Education Ministry Mtg 2 10:30am Kindred Sisters 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) 3 4 9:30am Ladies Bible Study (La Madeleine) 6:30pm Cub Scouts Pack 150 7:00pm Finance Ministry Mtg :30 Christian Education 9:30 Service 5:00pm Hollis Wedding Rehearsal (sanctuary) pm Set up for wedding 4:00pm Hollis Wedding 9 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) :30am Ladies Bible Study (La Madeleine) 7:00pm Church Council Meeting :00am Men s Fellowship Breakfast 14 8:30 Christian Education 9:30 Service 10:45 Congregational Meeting 15 7:00pm Stephen Ministers Mtg 16 6:30pm TIFA Meeting 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) :30am Ladies Bible Study (La Madeleine) 6:30pm Cub Scouts Pack :30 Christian Education 9:30 Service :30pm Bible Study (Café) Vacation Bible School, 9am-12pm 9:30am Ladies Bible Study (La Madeleine) :30 Christian Education 9:30 Service 10:45 Congregational Meeting :30pm Bible Study (Café)