MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH. The Fruit of the Spirit Show the Beauty of God Pastor Bruce A. Peffer

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1 June 2017 Volume 55 Issue 6 Rev. Dr. Bruce Peffer Pastor brucepeffer@sbcglobal.net Cell: Gail Weinrich Secretary messiahdowney@gmail.com Office Phone: Sunday Worship 9:00 am Youth & Adult Bible Study 10:30 am Toddler Praise & Play 10:30 am Web Site: MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH The Fruit of the Spirit Show the Beauty of God Pastor Bruce A. Peffer PASTOR S CORNER God created us in His image, to reflect His loving nature. We lost that image by our rebellious, sinful nature, which chooses to live life for self only. God sent His Son to become a human in order to redeem us through His life, death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus we are forgiven. God the Holy Spirit is now in the process of sanctifying us, restoring us into the perfect image of His Son. As you and I grow in our Christian faith we are renewed and further equipped to reflect the beauty of God. This is our purpose now: to reflect the beauty of God as seen in Jesus Christ. As Jesus puts it: In the same way, let your light shine before people, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). When we grow up into Christ we start reflecting His characteristics and we show forth His beauty. This beauty attracts unbelievers who live in a world of ugliness and self-centeredness. When they see the beauty of Jesus in us they will ask us about the hope that is within us. Then we can share the good news with them of forgiveness and salvation through Christ. What is this beauty of Christ that you and I are to reflect? It is summarized well by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When we practice these qualities, which reflect God s nature, people will see the beauty of Jesus in us and will want what we have. The chief gift, of course, is love. Jesus said: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35). If Messiah Lutheran Church is going to take seriously the command of Christ to Go and make disciples of all peoples (Matthew 28:20), we will need to grow in our faith continually through regular worship, Bible study, prayer and Christian fellowship. We will also seek to put into practice the fruit of the Spirit. And as our non-christian friends see the love of Jesus in us and experience the peace and joy we have in Him, they will ask us where it all comes from. Then we can tell them about the one who makes us beautiful: the Lord Jesus Christ who went the way of the cross for us to replace the ugly, soiled rags of our sin with the beautiful garment of His righteousness. May you show forth the beauty of Jesus by cultivating the fruit of the Spirit.

2 VBS Meeting June June Meeting None None this month 7 am Pop s 8 am meeting June 18 Wednesdays at 6 pm Parish Hall Fridays at 3pm Parish Hall. June pm Hygiene Help June 9 Bag items 10 am June 10 Distribution 9:30am June 25 After the service The new budget for will be available at the June 18 service. All voters are asked to review the and then be sure to attend the June 25 service to vote on the budget. VBS 2017 MESSIAH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH PARAMOUNT DOWNEY JULY 10 TO 14 FROM 5:30 TO 8 PM GRADES K - 5 MUSIC, STORIES, GAMES, CRAFTS AND MORE 2

3 A Letter From Our Stewardship Chairman Dear Messiahites, It s time for Book Bingo! LADIES LUNCHEON Saturday, June 3, 11:30 am Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Clark (Columbia Way), Downey, Please bring a gently used book you are ready to part with. After lunch we will play Bingo and the books will serve as prizes. Invite a friend to enjoy the Christian fellowship. When making your vacation plans be sure you include the nearest church to your vacation destination. If you need help in locating a church you can call the church office for help with church names and addresses. Did you remember Your Mite box? The real essence of a church is what happens inside its buildings, in worship, in fellowship and learning, and in the love shown to others by its members, both inside and outside the church. However, if the buildings look uncared for questions could arise as to the level of caring by the members. Consequently, our parish hall recently had to be repainted at the cost of three thousand dollars. Thus, this letter is a request that you consider making a special donation to help defray the painting cost. Please prayerfully consider this request. If you would like to make a donation you may use a Designated Offering envelope that is include in your offering envelop box. Please be sure to mark the envelope that it is for the painting. If you do not have a Designated Offering envelope please use a regular envelope and mark on the front of the envelope that it is for painting. June Galipeau-Miraya Stewardship Chairman If you are volunteer who ushers, reads, or helps in other ways please let the office know when you will be on vacation so we do not schedule you. 3

4 Item List Please bring the following list with you next time you shop and drop off the items in the green tubs in the narthex: 1. Toothpaste and Toothbrushes 2. Shampoo - In order to make sure we are receiving all of the really essential items, we are not requesting conditioner at this time. 3. Deodorant 4. Bar Soap - Multi-packs or individual bars are both fine. 5. Razors and Shaving Cream - Especially looking for the multipacks of inexpensive razors and simple shaving cream. (We open the multipacks and distribute according to family size.) 6. Feminine Hygiene - tampons, Pads, etc. 7. Nail Clippers and Combs - They usually sell combs in large, inexpensive packs; those are helpful because of the low price and large quantity. 4 Distribution Dates for 2017 June 10 (date change) July 15 August 26 September 30 October None November 11 December 16 We will meet the Friday before each date at 10 am to pack the bags that will be handed out at the distribution. Please continue to bring toilet articles and/or cash donations to Messiah. We fill about 60 bags every month with shampoo, soap, toothbrush and paste, deodorant, comb and disposable razors. Other items such as shaving cream are "extras." We need a lot of toilet articles and must buy what is not donated. Please be generous. Any questions please see Eric or Beth. Distribution day is at 9:00 am at: First Christian Church of Downey 4th and New Street For sale 2 Rose Hills plots located on flat land in The Garden of Love. The price is now $ 5, each and you must buy both plots. Any questions or for more information call Jerry Higginbotham at Ushers are needed to help in our services. If you would like to volunteer please call Gail in the church office and let her know. We can really use your help. Please make the following corrections to your church directory. Rev. Bruce Peffer Leffingwell Rd. #202 Whittier, Ca Same phone number

5 The following are the new officers for the year. Chairman of the Congregation: Vice Chairman of the Congregation: Secretary: Treasurer: Board of Elders: Trustee: Board of Education/ Youth: Board of Evangelism/ Publicity: Stewardship: Women s Ministry: Financial Secretary: Boys Scout Awards Presented to Robert Benavides and Desirey Benavides Ray Miraya John Southward Sidney Gomez Gerry Castellanos Mark Shocklee Richard Schmieg Larry Brown Barbara Hunter Ana Perez June GalipeauMiraya Beth Hauser Cindy Hem Beth Hauser presented a check from Thrivent to help with the cost of the youth groups Mission Trip in June. 5

6 Youth Retreat News Planning a summer trip? Take along a Scripture passage befitting your vacation to use for devotions and prayer time (all NIV below): In the mountains: The mountains and hills will burst into song before you (Isaiah 55:12). At a lake, perhaps on a fishing trip: They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people (Matthew 4:18-19). Near an ocean or river: Let the sea resound let the rivers clap their hands (Psalm 98:7-8). In the desert: They looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud (Exodus 16:10). In the woods: Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the LORD. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season (Psalm 1:1-3). In the flatlands: My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me. I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest (John 4:34-35). On a staycation close to home: Love the LORD your God. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:5-9). 9 youth, from Middle School through College, attended Messiah s Spring Retreat to El Camino Pines Camp in Frazier Park, April The Retreat was led by Pastor Bruce, and Richard and Becky Schmieg. The youth participants were: Emily, Kenia and Litzy Flores; Melissa Flores; Nicole and Natalie Edmonds; Kevin Gutierrez; Yasmine Sterling and Kathya Ulloa. The theme of the Retreat was My Identity in Christ. We spent several small group Bible Study sessions discussing false identities based on achievements, popularity and other things and contrasted them with our true identity as one who is fully loved by Christ (who has justified us, reconciled us to Himself and accepts completely, just as we are!). The group also went on a challenging hike, sang songs and made smores around a campfire, played group building games and other fun games, worshipped together, built one another up in love, listened to Pastor s corny puns (and tried to outdo him) and enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery. One of the highlights for Pastor Bruce was coming from behind to beat Kevin in a game of Frisbee golf on the 9 th hole! A big thank you to Messiah s LWML for their $400 donation towards the Retreat and to all of our members who graciously gave offerings at the Lenten Soup Suppers to help our Youth. Please let the office know if you have anyone in your family graduating. 6

7 Mark Mathew Born into life October 18, 1956 Received into everlasting life April 16, 2017 Some members and friends of Messiah Lutheran Church may remember Mark Mathew, who led the music at the contemporary service in the mid-2000 s, during the final years of Pastor Norm s ministry here. Mark was a man of deep Christian faith, a supremely gifted guitarist, and a prolific songwriter who shared his musical gifts generously with this church for many years. For the past decade, Mark continued to share his ministry of music at his home church in Hesperia, CA. Mark suffered an apparent heart attack on March 4, followed by several weeks of hospitalization and physical therapy. On Good Friday, Mark s pastor visited to give him communion, and the following day he was visited by many members of his immediate family throughout the day and well into the night. Mark passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday morning, just before sunrise. A man of unwavering faith throughout a variety of adversities, Mark also faithfully shared his music ministry for many years through Lutheran Cursillo of Southern California, Via de Cristo of Southern California and the Central Valley, as well as numerous Lutheran churches across Southern California. Mark is survived by 7 children and step-children, all of whom he loved and called his own, and 16 grandchildren (with one more on the way). Mark s legacy also includes an extensive archive of songs written and recorded as a musical witness to his deep faith in Christ. Mark s memorial service was held on May 13, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Hesperia, which was Mark s home church. Mark Rosenau attended the service, and expressed condolences to the family on behalf of Messiah Lutheran Church. There is no specific memorial fund established in Mark s memory, but the family would be grateful for our continued prayers for comfort and peace as they give thanks to God for Mark s unshakable Christian faith, his deep love for his family, and his profound Christian witness throughout his lifetime of music ministry. 7

8 Birthdays June 6 June 3 June 5 June 9 June 10 June 17 June 18 June 20 June 22 June 30 Roberto Flores Carol Kuttim Katie Castellanos Lucille Tylenda Ciara Benavides Eric Hauser Jessica Aceves Barbara Brown Alenia Gutierrez Jonathan Lee Southward Baptismal Birthdays June 1 Jax Jones June 3 Zacharis Gerges June 5 Mark Shocklee June 20 Barbara Brown David Lopez June 22 June Galipeau-Miraya Alenia Gutierrez June 24 Katie Castellanos June 30 Aaron Castellanos Anniversary June 6 Cliff & Dixie Jensen June 22 Leonard & Lucille Tylenda If we missed your birthday or anniversary, or if it is incorrect, please accept our apologies. Please contact the church office so we can update our records. Church Directory: The new directory is available, be sure to pick up a copy in the narthex. 6/4/17 Cindy Hem for son Michael 6/11/17 Betty Curl for brother in law Daniel 6/18/17 Larry Brown for Barbara s birthday 6/25/17 John Southward for son Jonathan s 24th birthday If you would like to put flowers on the altar in memory of a loved one, to celebrate an occasion, or to thank God for His blessings please print your name and the occasion on the chart. Ardith Chandler Pauline Fergson Louis Force Thelma Hawkins Gus Ibanez Cliff & Dixie Jensen Carol Kelly Carol Kuttim Judith & Richard Manis Joan Munyon Leroy Pabst David Renegarbe Lenora Schuricht Elizabeth Ulloa s mother Why not take a moment to send a card, make a phone call, or visit someone on our prayer list. They certainly would appreciate and enjoy knowing that someone is thinking of them and praying for them. 8

9 SERVING JUNE 9:00 AM Elders Schedule 6/4/17 Mark Shocklee 6/11/17 Mark Shocklee 6/18/17 Mark Shocklee 6/25/17 Richard Schmieg Lectors Schedule 6/4/17 Sidney Perez-Gomez 6/11/17 Sue Carlson 6/18/17 June Galipeau-Miraya 6/25/17 Jennifer Genovez Ushers Schedule 6/4/17 Ana Perez & Sidney Perez-Gomez 6/11/17 Ed Horton & Neil Ohman 6/18/17 Beth Hauser & Steven Krause 6/25/17 Jennifer Genovez & Dave Lopez Greeters Schedule 6/4/17 Jean Forsse 6/11/17 Sue Carlson 6/18/17 Barbara Mayson 6/25/17 Lorena Genovez Also Serving 6/4/17 Beth Hauser & JoAnn Dennis 6/11/17 Lore Page & Barbara Brown 6/18/17 Jo Ann Dennis & Elyse Hetland 6/25/17 Larry Brown & Neil Ohman Coffee Hosts Elyse Hetland Altar Care Betty Curl Thank you for your dedicated service. If you are unable to serve on your assigned date, pleas find a replacement and then call the church office and give them the name(s) of your replacement. Scripture Readings For June First Reading Second Reading Gospel 6/4/17 Numbers 11:24-30 Acts 2:1-21 John 7: /11/17 Genesis 1:1-2:4a Acts 2:14a, Matthew 28: /18/17 Exodus 19:2-8 Romans 5:6-15 Matthew 9:35-10:8 6/25/17 Jeremiah 20:7-13 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:5a,

10 JUNE 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 Ladies Good Shepherd 11:30 am 2 Bible Study 3pm 1 Nursery NO CHURCH 10 Hygiene Help 9:30 am 9 Bag Hygiene Help 10 am Nursery NO CHURCH Prayer Group 6pm Nursery NO CHURCH 4 9 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Bible Study Church 4:30-7:30pm Nursery Parish Hall 7:30-8:30 pm Bible Study 3pm Nursery NO CHURCH 12 Bible Study 3pm 15 Nursery NO CHURCH Prayer Group 6pm 11 9 am Worship 10:30 am Bible Study Church 4:30-7:30pm Nursery Parish Hall 7:30-8:30 pm Game Night 5 8 pm Nursery NO Prayer Group 6pm Bible Study 3pm Nursery NO CHURCH 18 9 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Bible Study Church 4:30-7:30pm Nursery Parish Hall 7:30-8:30 pm am Worship 10:30 am Bible Study Voter s Meeting Bible Study 3pm Nursery NO CHURCH Prayer Group 6pm Nursery NO CHURCH Church 4:30-7:30pm Nursery Parish Hall 7:30-8:30 pm

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12 Messiah Lutheran Church Paramount Blvd. Downey, CA (562) Time Dated Material Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Bell Gardens, CA Permit #5406 Return Service Requested 12