Gethsemane Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 August 2018 Volume 51,, Issue 8 The Leaf a monthly publication of GLC Gethsemane Lutheran Church The Leaf 35 East Stanton Avenue Columbus OH Pastor Rev. June A. Wilkins pastorjune@gethsemane.org Bring your backpack to church for a blessing Music Ministries Dr. Timothy E. Guenther tguenther@gethsemane.org Mission Developer Rev. Ipyana Mwakabonga ipibonga@hotmail.com Child Care Center Brenda Weilbacher bweilbacher@gethsemane.org Children s Ministry istry Assistant Joel Wildermuth jwildermuth@gethsemane.org Parish Secretary Diane Gutgesell glcoffice@gethsemane.org Custodian Brian McLean In this Issue I From the Pastor P. 2 Adult Education P. 3 Small Groups P. 4 Play & Learn P. 5 Prayer Concerns P. 6 Council Highlights P. 7-8 Serving Schedule P. 9 Calendar P.10 Sunday, August 19, This year we are asking Gethsemane members to support NBC Channel 4 s Stuff the Backpack. Here is a link for information.

2 FROM THE PASTOR Immigration But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 There seems to be one crisis or another in the news which takes our attention. But one thing that keeps coming back is the question of immigrants in our country. Immigration has been an issue for years (mostly for the last 50 years) but the confusing policies and laws of this country, new tactics of enforcement, and the hateful rhetoric coming not only from individuals but from our elected leaders, join to make this a scary time for immigrants that are here with proper papers and without, and a concern for Christians. Recently two churches in Columbus, Columbus Mennonite and First English (whose pastor Sally Padgett was confirmed at Gethsemane) have both taken families in sanctuary at the church. Immigration and other officials have customarily not come into churches to apprehend someone, so churches have long been places where people can live without the threat of arrest. These families feel as if they would be separated from their children, and that their lives might be in danger if they returned home (former Americans in Central America are particularly vulnerable to violence). All of these issues are complicated. The laws are complicated, the way they re enforced and not enforced are complicated. The feelings around this are complicated. And that is because at the end of each of these laws and enforcements are people. Mostly good people who just want to live safely with their families. When it was found that families crossing into the US were being separated and children sent to detention alone, our United States Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, used a quote from Romans 13 to tell people to let every person be subject to the governing authorities (which sent many pastors of all sorts into a tailspin). This line has been used to defend many laws including slavery, Jim Crow laws, it was used by Nazis in WWII, it was used against the protests of Martin Luther King Jr. It is also important to remember that the man who wrote this piece of scripture, Paul, was arrested many times and spent an awful lot of time in prisons for his preaching of the gospel. And it is also important to remember, that our own Savior was killed because he violated specific laws of the church and the state. In response to this, many people of faith quoted Leviticus 19, or Deuteronomy 10, or Jeremiah 7, or Hebrews 23, or Matthew 25, or any of the many passages which say things similar to Exodus 23, You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. These scriptures do not mean that faithful Christians should be against immigration laws and for open borders, but they do require that people of faith demand that immigration laws be clear, executed fairly, and enforced mercifully and without cruelty, always remembering the humanity of the people that are on the other side of them. And we are asked to remember that, unless we are completely descended from Native Americans, our ancestors were once aliens in this country too. These are confusing times for Americans and scary times for immigrants. We welcome immigrants into our community and we have many friends and members who are vulnerable. We are asked to treat everyone as a child of God and everyone with compassion no matter who they are or where they ve come from. Rev. June Wilkins Miriam Vargas (left), who is taking refuge in First English Lutheran Church. To support Miriam and her family, you can go to First English Lutheran Church Columbus Web site and click on the button that says Support Miriam 2

3 LEARN Meets in the library at 12:00 noon every Wednesday for lunch and study. The group is currently studying the Book of Acts. SUMMERTIME LEARNING HOUR Christian Education about life, for life, and for a lifetime SUNDAYS at 10:45 AM meets if the Library to discuss Bible Stories August 5 King David Joel Wildermuth August 12 The Story of Jonah Violet Meek August 19 Jesus Raises the Widow s Son of Nain Nancy and Howard Feole Meets in the library the last Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm to discuss a book. A new list of readings has been chosen for the year. The book chosen for August is Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. All are welcome. August 26 The Story of Cornelius Andrea Mayer and Tim Mayer Meets every Monday at 8:00am at La Chatelaine-Worthington to discuss the lessons for the coming Sunday. 3

4 SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES Small Group Ministries First Reflections Monday Bible Study Paula Sauer Every Monday at 8:00am at La Chatelaine-Worthington Second Saturday of the month at 8:00am at TeeJaye s Brown Bag Bible Bunch Dick Lyndes rhlyndes32@outlook.com Connections: Faith at Work Judy Reuning jreuning@lifecrossings.com Every Wednesday at 12:00pm in the church library Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8-3:00pm. Book Group Sharon Walton skrwalton@gmail.com Barbara Ford bandbford@columbus.rr.com Men s Breakfast Bob Davis rjdjr@wowway.com Thrivent Builds Bill Darlage darlage_bill@hotmail.com First Friday of the month at 7:00am at Bob Evans on Olentangy River Road Quilting Saturdays to be announced from 9-12:00pm in Trinity Hall LWR Quilts Terri Siebert tsiebert@columbus.rr.com Prayer Shawls Emilie Hagerdorn rdhekh@att.net Last Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm in the church library. Third Monday of the month at 7:30pm in the church library. 4

5 PLAY & LEARN PLAY & LEARN CHRISTIAN CHILD CARE THE START OF ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR IS QUICKLY APPROACHING! What a fun summer we have had here at Play and Learn! The children have had a nice amount of outdoor pool time and water play. If you have come to the parking lot during the week on any one of our hot summer days, you may have seen and heard the delight in the children s play. The preschool classes have also taken some walking field trips to area parks and eateries. Now we are focused on our fall program with excitement and anticipation. New learning experiences and educational activities await as we start another school year. We still have some openings in our pre-kindergarten class, so if you know of a family looking for a loving safe environment for their child(ren) during the day, please let them know about Play & Learn. Our August calendar includes a teacher work day then Meet the Teacher Night with Ice Cream Social on Monday, August 20 th and the first day of the fall program on Tuesday, August 21 st. The Play and Learn staff, students and committee thank you for your continued prayers and support. 5

6 PEOPLE NEWS August Birthdays 6 Adam Siddall Bonnie Spring 7 Sylvia Bowers Lisa Whitesell 8 Robbie Dunham 9 Donna Roush Jim Siebert 10 Erin Carlile Chris Jessie 13 Sam Walker Bob Spiegel 19 Joyce Geary Brian Lutz 21 Clara Carlile 26 Emily Gardner Gottfried Maeffert 28 Michelle Toops 28 Eric Ndossi Our Prayers and Concern Are With... Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 New concerns: Barbara Haller (sister of Paula Sauer) Erich Von Hitritz (the son of Jan Davis cousin) Melanie Jessie Joe Reilly. Our love and compassion to the family of Dianne Nelson who passed away July 7 the family of Jennifer Arnold (daughter of Patti Nelson s co-worker) who passed away suddenly leaving behind her husband and two sons ages 4 and 2. Members with ongoing concerns: Donna Baer Janice Dunham Elaine Haines David Kibble David Lagerberg Gary Rader Dick Reuning. Friends and family with concerns: Carol Bartley Carder (friend of Bob and Jan Davis) Barbara Christel (cousin of Doug Sand) Monica McLean (daughter of Brian McLean) Steve Zeid (Bob and Jan Davis daughter s brother-in-law). Homebound: Marie Cooper Beryl Cumberland Carolyn Fergus (Wesley Glen) Alice Gerken (Mayfair Village) Sue Jones (Mayfair Village) Phyllis Nelson Becky Oldaker (Bennington Glen) Joanne Vollrath (Worthington Christian Village) Phyllis Wei Reva Woodruff (Columbus Colony). Would you like to add a name to the Sunday prayers? Contact the church office at or glcoffice@gethsemane.org before 10:00 am on Thursday to have the name printed in the bulletin. After that time, you will have the opportunity in worship to name those silently or aloud during the prayers. You may also have the name sent out to the congregation via our E-Prayers ( ). 6

7 COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Congregation Council Highlights of Council Meeting July 9, 2018 Copies of the Council Minutes and Financial Report are posted in Atrium Way. PLEASE READ BUT LEAVE POSTED. OFFICERS: President Mike Siddall Vice-President Paul Feldman Secretary Jane Sieberth Treasurer Jeff Luedke MEMBERS: Pam Hagerdorn Hono Lyatuu Jim Siebert Celia Conlon Bill Darlage Pastor s Report Pr. June has enlisted the Mutual Ministry Committee to work with her in developing ideas for the additional ministries component of the Build Up, Reach Out! campaign. The Worship Committee has identified a design for the bowl portion of the replacement baptismal font. Council asked that safety and durability concerns be reviewed and that the team proceed with the design of the support for the bowl. Officers Reports President s report No report. Vice President s report Paul asked for ideas on how to approach the stewardship season. He expects to pull together a committee/team to work on this. Tentatively, the stewardship emphasis is planned for January. Secretary s report Jane moved approval of the June minutes as distributed; seconded by Jim, the motion passed. Treasurer s report Financial Results The year end reports should be available later in the week. Preliminary results indicate we will end the fiscal year with a deficit of about $9000, similar to the 2015 shortfall. Contributions have been down, with June contributions being particularly low. Liaisons Reports Health Ministry Team Minutes of the June meeting were distributed by . Personnel Committee The staff review process has started and is to be completed by July 31. Youth Ministry Team Those attending the National Youth Gathering returned safely. It was very hot in Houston, and there was lots of walking, but it was a good event, and all had a positive experience. Audit Committee The committee is working on the audit and converting from a calendar year to a fiscal year approach. Build Up, Reach Out! Statements of Intent are due July 31. 7

8 COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS -- continued Old Business Build Up, Reach Out! o There have been 30 pledges so far and two additional gifts were made without pledges. o Bill distributed a report via . Bids have been received for the sanctuary AC and the air handlers. With a couple of questions outstanding, they are confident as can be that the kitchen plan will meet all codes. They expect to go out for kitchen bids in another week or so. Cemetery plots Pam reported on the cost Kingwood quoted for the plots. An announcement will be published in the weekly announcements and the newsletter to inform the congregation of availability of the plots. Jane moved, seconded by Paul, on the preliminary reduced price to be offered for congregation members; motion passed. New Business Open Council position Jeff moved, seconded by Jane, that Hugh Geary be appointed to fill the open Council position, which runs through 2019; motion passed. Announcements The next meeting will be Monday, August 13. Bill will lead devotions. Paul moved, seconded by Jim, to adjourn the meeting; meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jane Sieberth, Secretary We have contracted to replace the sanctuary air conditioning system and the multipurpose room furnace and air conditioner. These will be scheduled for the fall when there is limited need for the use of the systems. If either system fails earlier, then the work will be advanced. We are close to completing all design work and specifications for the downstairs kitchen remodel. Our next step will be submitting plans for approval from the appropriate government entities. That submission process should start next week. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jim Sauer and/or Bill Darlage. 8

9 SERVING THIS MONTH AUGUST 2018 August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 September 2 Assisting Minister Brian McLean Brian McLean Brian McLean Brian McLean Don Huiner Projectionist Paul Siebert Brian McLean Mike Siddall Kate Lutz Kreig Spahn Sound Monitor Readers Ushers (*Captain) Nursery Kreig Spahn Rick Langner Jim Sauer Mark Geary Brian McLean Margaret Murphy Michael Murphy Bob Abdou* Kreig Spahn Jim Driver Barb Driver Carol Prigan Scott Prigan Bill Darlage* Howard Feole Rick Langner Diane Langner Brian Murphy Gary Rader Dave Reutter* Scott Conlon Jim Sauer Paula Sauer Dick Reuning Judy Reuning Brian Burdette* Hugh Geary Joyce Geary Mark Geary Joe Reilly Doug Sand Jim Siebert* Brian McLean GottfriedMaeffert Joy McLemore Communion Bread Communion Care Diane Langner Joyce Geary Joanne Leussing Carole Wilkins Brian Lutz Joyce Geary Betty Guenther Paula Sauer Counters Joyce Davis Joanne Leussing Hugh Geary Betty Guenther Cathy Jung Imma Lyatuu Kreig Spahn Betty Guenther Cathy Jung Dave Reutter Brian McLean Betty Guenther Diane Langner Jeff Luedke Wendy Luedke Vision Statement To empower a servant community that overflows with God's grace, justice, and welcome. 9

10 AUGUST 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 Worship 10:45 AM Education 4:00 PM IbadaYaKiswahili 6 8:00 AM Reflections 7:30 PM A.A.&Al Anon 7 10:30 AM Staff Meeting 6:45 PM Swahili Choir 1 12:00 PM Brown Bag Bible Bunch 6:30-8:00 PM Food Pantry 8 12:00 PM Brown Bag Bible Bunch 6:30-8:00 PM Food Pantry :00 AM Men s Breakfast 12 Worship 10:45 AM Education 4:00 PM IbadaYaKiswahili NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 19 Worship BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS 10:45 AM Education 4:00 PM IbadaYaKiswahili 26 Worship 10:45 AM Education 4:00 PM IbadaYaKiswahili 13 8:00 AM Reflections 7:00 PM Council 7:30 PM A.A.&Al Anon 20 DAY CARE CLOSED 8:00 AM Reflections 6:00 PM P&L Ice Cream Social 7:30 PM A.A.&Al Anon 27 8:00 AM Reflections 7:30 PM A.A.&Al Anon 14 10:30 AM Staff Meeting 6:00 PM P&L Staff Mtg. 6:45 PM Swahili Choir 21 10:30 AM Staff Meeting 6:45 PM Swahili Choir 7:00 PM CAC District :30 AM Staff Meeting 6:45 PM Swahili Choir 7:00 PM Worship Ministry Team 15 12:00 PM Brown Bag Bible Bunch 6:30-8:00 PM Food Pantry 22 12:00 PM Brown Bag Bible Bunch 6:30-8:00 PM Food Pantry 29 12:00 PM Brown Bag Bible Bunch 6:30-8:00 PM Food Pantry 7:30 PM Book Group :00 AM Swahili Ministry Team