Christ s Messenger May 2017 THE SEASON OF EASTER 2017: Does faith matter? Does theology matter?

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1 Christ s Messenger May 2017 THE SEASON OF EASTER 2017: Does faith matter? Does theology matter? Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, As I look around the Church in the present time, I often see two extremes that are taking place now in the body of Christ. The first extreme is the Church looks no different than the Circle K/Kiwanis Club I participated in college; where we are committed to taking on a specific cause in the name of social justice, advocacy and service. Or we go to the other extreme where we stay caught in our faith; but we never take it beyond the worship service we participate in on Sunday mornings. If we are truly being honest with ourselves as the Church of the western world; most of the time, the Church is busy trying to find ways to stay alive and relevant to whatever is going on in the culture. Many times the Church looks no different than the Kiwanis or Rotary Club. (Do not get me wrong, many secular organizations are doing amazing things in the local communities and greater world.) As the Church, are we grounded in the faith as we go into the world to serve in the kingdom? Does theology matter? Does what we confess with our hearts and minds on Sunday mornings underpin what we say and do as the body of Christ in the world? Or do we become invisible into the background like every other institution or organization? Is the Church throughout the world living in survival mode, trying to hang onto institutional identities that we all know will eventually end in death? Or are we called to something greater as the body of Christ known as the Church? Does faith matter? Does theology matter? And if both of these things are important, then why? What makes the Church different say from the Kiwanis Club or other organizations and institutions that continue to do good in the communities, caring for the neighbor? What is distinctive about being the Church or being a Christian in our present day world? I would argue that what makes the Church distinctive is that we have a theology of the cross that lives and proclaims Christ crucified and risen. The Church is not about perfect and good people having their all their acts together; rather God chooses to come to us in our brokenness. God meets us in all those ways we separated ourselves from God and one another and those ways other people have separated from us and God. God chooses to come in the flesh and divine in His Son Jesus Christ who is obedient to death; and God forgives us even when we nailed him to the tree. And it is God who will get the final say in the resurrection; as the brokenness of this world is transformed into eternal life. As followers of Jesus Christ in these 50 days of Easter, we do not live as people of fear and despair. In these 50 days of Easter, we live as people of the resurrection; daring to believe and have

2 faith that God is doing something greater in this world than we could ever imagine possible by ourselves in this world. Yes, faith is important when we come together as the body of Christ. And for that matter, theology is important. This theology is not just for the people like me who studied for countless hours in a seminary. When we come together as the Church and we live out the faith that is truly a gift from God; we do not live in isolation of our beliefs. Our beliefs inform our actions and how we respond to this gift of faith given by God in the crucified and risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because when we confess with our hearts and minds that we believe in God, in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit; we witness to God s power and unconditional love and forgiveness that abound in the world. We witness to His unchanging grace and mercy that continue from generation to generation. While we are sinners, God loves and forgives us unconditionally. When we confess that we believe it is only by the grace of God and we let go of our human notions we could ever be in control; we put our trust in God. In faith, we respond to living out the new commandment Jesus gives us (Love God and love thy neighbor). Are we able to see the neighbor that is different from us and still show God s love and forgiveness? Are we able to see each person is created in the image of God; even though they do not have the same perspective or beliefs I/we carry or believe? Do we dare love our enemies? At the end of the day, the faith given to us by God as a gift matters. What we confess we believe matters and how we live into this matters to God. I invite us to continue to wrestle with the question(s) does faith matter (and does theology matter ) as we live and proclaim in these 50 days of Easter: Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Serving with you in Christ, Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, Pastor Pastor s Notes Thank you from Pastor Rowlands to everyone who helped with Holy Week and Easter services! Many hands make the work load lighter! Only by the grace of God are we able to serve together in this ministry. Thanks again for all of your hard work to make the worship services possible here at Christ Lutheran Church. Pastor Rowlands will be attending the Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Meeting as we say thank you and farewell to our Dean of the Conference, Rev. Wanda Childs at St. Luke s, Beckley on May 18 th. We continue to keep Pastor Childs in our prayers as she moves to a new call in the Virginia Synod and for the people of St. Luke s Lutheran Church in Beckley in this time of discernment and transition. Pastor Rowlands will be attending the Clergy Consultation on Substance Abuse at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon on May 25 th. This event is being sponsored by the West Virginia Council of Churches. A PLANNING MEETING FOR THE NEW BUILDING DEDICATION AND CURRENT BUILDING REDEDICATION WILL BE TAKING PLACE ON TUESDAY EVENING MAY 2 nd, 2017 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Anyone who has an interest and desire to plan the worship service/dedication or the luncheon to take place in between the worship service and dedication of the building(s) should attend this meeting. Date for the New Building Dedication and Current Building Rededication will be Sunday June 11, More information to come in June newsletter. Thanks be to God for the following people who are graduating in the class of 2017! High school graduates include: Andrew Miser (Parkersburg High School). College graduates include: Jacob Freeman (Marietta College) and Avery Philips (West Virginia University Parkersburg). Our congratulations and prayers go with our graduates as take next steps to college and work. A RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES DURING the 10:45 SERVICE, followed by a TIME OF FELLOWSHIP after the worship service will take place on SUNDAY MAY 21, DON T FORGET!!!! THE SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINS ON SUNDAY JUNE 4, 2017 with 9:30 AM (outdoor service) and 10:45 (indoor service). The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Assembly is coming to the Grand Pointe Conference Center here in Vienna on June 2-3, 2017! A boat ride with our sister church, First Lutheran and early arrivers to the assembly will take place on June 1 st. Christ Lutheran Church will host morning prayer on June 2 nd. First Lutheran Church will host the evening worship service a 1526 Mass with Holy Communion. Please make every effort to welcome our sisters and brothers in Christ from around our synod here to the Mid-Ohio Valley! See you here!

3 CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH HOSTS Bishop Matthew Lynn Riegel/Director of Evangelical Mission, Rev. Dr. Gil Waldkoenig and Members of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Council on Thursday May 11, 2017 (7:00PM) in the Fellowship Hall. In an effort to get to know the congregations and hear what is going on in the life of the congregations and communities around our synod; Synod Council members are coming to listen to folks in our churches. While Church Council members are strongly encouraged to attend; this meeting is open to all of our folks in the congregation. This is an opportunity for you to be heard and listened to by the leadership of the synod and to ask questions. It s also an opportunity for our congregation to share ministry ideas and areas where we might learn from each other. Often we get stuck on what s wrong in our congregations, that we miss what God is doing right in our lives and faith community with the good news of our Jesus Christ. Because Christ Lutheran is the host church, I expect us to have a strong showing and participation in this gathering. Those who are able, please make every effort to be here on May 11 th at 7PM. Pastor Rowlands I. Current status of your congregation -What good things are happening in your congregation? (Do not negate the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Gospel.) -What are your top three blessings / gifts for your congregation to celebrate, and how can you communicate these blessings to your members? -What are the two biggest challenges facing your congregation right now? -What ideas do you have to address these challenges as you move forward? II. Looking to the future for your congregation -What are your hopes for the future of this, your congregation? -What important things should this congregation do in the future - in your own congregation and your community? -What might you do or need to carry out this work? III. Further considerations -Where do you see the Holy Spirit at work in your congregation and your people? -What drew you to this congregation and what makes you feel connected? IV. Synod -What role can the synod play to assist your congregation as you live out God's mission for you? -Is there anything else on your mind you would like to discuss or hear from Bishop Riegel and the Synod Council? RELATIONAL MINISTRY By Delores Steege ELDERBERRIES Elderberries met for lunch on Thursday, April 20, at House of Wines, in Devola, OH. This was a new venue for us. We enjoyed the ride along the river and the nice weather. We were missing some of our regulars, but thoroughly enjoyed the food and the company. Those attending were Kay Rowan, Gene Harman, Delores and Jerry Steege, and Judi and Ron Clampitt (back from Florida after just celebrating their 53rd Anniversary.) On May 18, we will meet at Napoli's in Belpre. Please sign up on the Bulletin Board or call Delores at (304) Hope to see you then. ********************************************************************************* MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!! FOR THE WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND SYNOD VALLEY GEM BOAT RIDE CRUISE June 1, 2017 (Must be on the Boat by 5:30 PM) at Williamstown Landing On Thursday. June 1, there will be a sternwheeler cruise departing from Williamstown boat landing. This will kick off the 2017 WV-WMD Synod Assembly being held at Grand Pointe on June 2-3. We will have people from other churches throughout our Synod arriving on Thursday who will be joining us on this boat ride. The cost for the boat ride is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. We will provide fried chicken, baked beans, green beans, and green salads (Caesar and tossed). We are also asking our members to bring a covered dish to share. Suggestions are macaroni or potato salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, and desserts. The Committee will also provide the paper products, table service, and drinks, Please sign up as soon as possible. At First Lutheran, contact Cindy Lockney or Mary Parrish. Delores Steege is taking sign-ups at Christ Lutheran. If writing a check, please make it payable to First Lutheran Church. You will get a ticket and directions to the boarding location. You must be on the boat by 5:30 pm. (NOTE: Please get your money to Delores as soon as possible and let her know if you are planning to attend. There will not be a separate sign up sheet.)

4 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY Midweek Bible Study for this month will be held on Monday May 15, 2017 (11am-12pm). ********************************************************************************* Midweek Evening Bible Study Leaders of the Reformation is POSTPONED UNTIL TUESDAY June 6, In celebration and commemoration of the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation, participants in the midweek evening class studied Martin Luther during the month of February. In May, we will continue our study with John Hus, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli. We invite you to join us for this informative study that provides historical and biblical context for the events that led up to and after the Reformation. We look forward to seeing you here! ********************************************************************************* MEETING REMINDERS Church Council Meeting May 7, 2017 (NOTE: THE CHANGE OF DATE DUE TO MOTHER S DAY) (immediately following the 10:45 am service) Any questions? Contact Nick Read or Pastor Rowlands. MISSION AND MINISTRY GOOD SAMARITAN FOOD PANTRY NEWS MONTHLY ITEM(S) FOR GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER: MAY = CANNED FRUIT JUNE = CRACKERS (SALTINE, OYSTER) Please take a look at the items listed by month. Thank you in advance for your support of the Good Samaritan Center; which provides food to many in our community. Place all items in the narthex and these will be delivered to the Good Samaritan Center. If you have any questions regarding the Good Samaritan Center, please contact Jenny Knotts. *********************************************************************************** U.S. POSTAL FOOD DRIVE: FILL A BAG! HELP FEED FAMILIES Saturday May 13, Collect and bag healthy NONPERISHABLE food items. (Please do not donate items that have expired or are in glass containers.) 2. Place by the mailbox for letter carrier to deliver to a local food bank or pantry. *Items collected here in Vienna will go to the Good Samaritan Center located at Wayside United Methodist Church! Thanks for your support!

5 COMMUNITY BANK-PARKERSBURG: STOCK THE SHELVES for local food pantries! (Get more details and follow our progress on Facebook at Community Bank-Parkersburg) Community Bank was founded 100 years ago with the mission to serve the financial needs of working men and women in Parkersburg, Vienna and surrounding communities. That mission still guides us today, which is why we re making our 100 th year a year of service. WHAT? Bring non perishable food items to any of our locations. Community Bank will match your contributions up to 500 pounds for each of our partnering food pantries. WHO? We ll be partnering with: 1. The Good Samaritan Center (located at Wayside UM Church) 2. The Friendship Kitchen and 3. Old Man Rivers WHY? Over 12,000 Wood County residents are food insecure. (Source: But together we can make a change. WHEN? We ll be collecting items for the food pantries from March 6-May 31, See bulletin board in narthex for Wish List items. Thanks again for your support. Christ Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA 2017 Rummage Sale is a Success! Thank you! Thank you to everyone who helped with the 2017 Annual Rummage Sale! From the folks who helped setup prior to the sale on April 7-8, 2017 to the folks who worked throughout the sale, to the cleanup and take down after the sale was over A MAJOR THANK YOU! Without your help, this event would not be made possible! A breakdown of proceeds from the 2017 Rummage Sale include: Basement sale: $ Bake sale: $ Kitchen sale: $ Grand total: $ All proceeds raised from the 2017 Rummage Sale will be donated to ministries and organizations here in the local Mid-Ohio Valley and in the greater world. More information of where these monies will be donated will be determined at the next CLC Women s Group meeting. We will keep you informed of where the monies are donated. Thanks again for all of your support in making the 2017 Rummage Sale a success!

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