Community of Joy Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 6 JUNE 2016 Community of Joy Lutheran Church 110 Balboa Road Hot Springs Village, AR Church cofjoy@sbcglobal.net Office office.cofjoy@sbcglobal.net Stewardship is - taking care of God s creation! Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Living in God s amazing grace From the Pastor The Lutheran Church plans to celebrate the 500 th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation that began on October 31, 1517, with the posting of 95 Thesis on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. As we consider the importance of the teachings that are the foundation of our faith, remember The Augsburg Confession. It is central to the Lutheran understanding of Christianity. The historical setting for this important document is the turmoil of the years after the Pastor Bill Sappenfield Reformation began. The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, wanted to end the conflict between Luther s followers and the established church. He called for a summary of what Luther s followers believed to be presented to him and to representatives of the established church in the town of Augsburg, Germany. The task fell to Luther s fellow professor, Philip Melanchthon, who prepared an understanding of a church based on grace. It was called The Augsburg Confession. (A confession is a statement of belief.) It was presented on June 25, 1530 and is considered the foundational document of Lutheran understanding of Scriptures, church, and faith. Our church constitution names The Augsburg Confession in Article C2.05 (as do other churches in the ELCA). Augustana, the Latin word for Augsburg, has been prominent in Lutheran history; we have had nationwide-synods, church colleges, and publishing houses all bearing the name Augustana. This month, on June 25, remember the anniversary of an important document that has meant so much to our faith. Pastor Sappenfield Inquirer s Conversation As friends consider joining the membership of Community of Joy, it is helpful to have a conversation about our ministry, organization, history, and priorities. Of course, it is also helpful for members of the church to get to know our friends who are considering joining. Let s do both with an Inquirer s Conversation, Saturday, June 4, at 10:00. Everyone is encouraged to come!

2 Page 2 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 6 Worship & Music Donna Wright COMMUNION CARE VOLUNTEERS Please see the bulletin board in the Narthex for a complete list of Saturday and Sunday Worship Leaders and Communion Care Volunteers. Please remember to find a replacement if you are unable to serve on an assigned date. COMMUNION CARE There s room for more assistants to help in preparing the communion elements and vessels. We are always seeking volunteers women and men. Consider making a husband and wife team for Communion Care. Please consider this as part of your ministry to the congregation on either Saturday or Sunday. Contact Patty Ninke (Coordinator) if you are willing to serve in this way. ALTAR FLOWERS The cost of altar flowers is $44.00 for two (2) vases or, if you are sharing the date with another member, each vase is $ Remember: Check the Flower Folder (in Narthex by the front doors) for the number of vases you are donating before placing your contribution in one of the special envelopes which are in the sign-up folder. If you prefer to have both vases in honor or memory of a loved one, sign your name in both columns. Direct any special flower orders to Barbara Woodman or her at bswoodman@sbcglobal.net Please take your flowers home after the Sunday Service. You may also pick them up on Monday. WORSHIP NUMBERS WE RE COUNTING ON YOU The Monthly Attendance averages for weekends in April 2016 are: 2016 Weekend Averages 110 Kings Korner WOW! It s June, and summer is upon us. Didn t we all look wonderful in red for Pentecost weekend? Many of our members are up north and others are vacationing, and the out-of-town side of the name tags is as big or bigger than the in-town side! We have many things still going on, such as Joyful Dining, the golf events, as well as. Council meets each second Thursday at 8:30a. and many standing committees still meet each month. You are welcome to attend any time, as each meeting is open to all members. Call process is moving forward. Welcome our new part-time organist and choir accompanist Barbara Greenman, who will be here several weekends this summer while Eileen and Lance are away. We so appreciate the many musical talents of both Eileen and Barbara! Don t forget to put out your flag for Flag Day, June 14. Thank you to our many members who have served our country so well, whether it s been as a service member, a public employee, or a volunteer around your community. You are part of what makes this country great!! Don t forget to sign up to help with worship services and to bring treats for fellowship before services. See you in church! Anne King Men s Breakfast The combined Men s Groups of Community of Joy and Christ Lutheran meet for breakfast on the 4 th Tuesday of every month. Join us at 8:00 am on June 28, at Deborah s restaurant here in Hot Springs Village for food, fellowship, and good conversation.

3 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 5 Page 3 Everyday Evangelism Eileen Miller-Evangelism Chairperson What is Evangelism? Taken from ELCA-Living Lutheran/Seeds Look beyond what will attract new people to attend our church. Instead, look to where the culture and the gospel intersect in meaningful ways. NEW MEMBERS Adult Bible Study The Atonement We believe the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are essential for our relationship with God, but theologians, church leaders, and all Christians have been discussing for two thousand years exactly why this is so. Was Jesus death on the cross a punishment for people s sinfulness? Why did God have to punish anyone? Does punishment accomplish anything or is it an end in itself? If Jesus redeemed everyone, why are some people outside the faith? Do people have a relationship with God because of Jesus death or because of Jesus resurrection? These perplexing questions are all on the subject of The Atonement, and there are more views of this essential subject than you might think. Come discuss The Atonement at Adult Bible Study in June. We will meet on the first and the FOURTH Thursday this month. (Not the first and the third as usual.) Come at 9:00 am on June 2 and June 23 and continue the discussion that has been going on for centuries. NEW MEMBERS AT COMMUNITY OF JOY On Sunday, May 8, 2016, the congregation of Community of Joy Lutheran Church welcomed John T. and Judy Brothis as the church's newest members. The couple moved to the Village recently, the latest stop in a busy life that has taken them all around the country including Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Arizona. John worked as a printer. He was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church and has also been a member in the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches. Judy, a life-long Lutheran, has been a laboratory medical technician and has also worked in management and information services. John is a golfer and is active in the Masons and Shriners. Judy enjoys reading and gardening. They live at 4 Sayago Ln. can be reached at is jrbrothis@aol.com. SINGLES GROUP The Singles Group met at Sheryl Pierce s home on Wednesday, May 11 th. Sheryl cooked hamburgers and provided beverages of choice for her guests. Eleven people showed up. Thank you to everyone that brought appetizers, side dishes and dessert to go with the meal. A great time was had by all! On June 8th we will meet at Way Point restaurant at Lake DeSoto Marina. Call Sally Johnson if you will be attending at Thank you, Sheryl Pierce Golfing in the Village Our May scramble was held at Coronado Golf Course. The winners were Dave Harder, Mel Teska & Don Fisher shooting 2 under par. Second place was Sheryl Pierce, Philip Webber, Bob & Janice Dean finishing with 1 over par. Third place was Lee & Mary Cordes and Tom & Neala Gunderson shooting 2 over par. After golf we had dinner at Last Chance restaurant on Lake Balboa. The next COJ Golf Scramble will be on Sunday, June 26 at Cortez Golf Course. Tee times will start at 2:00 pm. A sign up sheet is in the narthex. Non-golfers are always invited!

4 Page 4 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 6 Treasurer s Report Through APRIL 2016 General Fund Budgeted Expense $ 15,075 Actual Expense $ 19,779 Actual Income $ 14,909 Difference $ (4,870) YTD Offerings for Debt Retirement $ 10,539 Net Debt (including LOJ) $ 13,862 Rob Kasten - Treasurer General Fund Contributions APRIL $ 16, $ 14,862 Change in 2016: ($2010) Dates JUNE ~ JULY ~ AUGUST The plan is: Keep playing all Tuesdays during the summer - 9:30 AM - at CJoy Also - Mark the 1st and 3rd Fridays ~ 9:30 AM at HOME HOSTED Days Home Host: Friday June 3 and August 5 At Neala Gunderson s ( ) Watch your E-Blast and for HOSTdetails. Those wanting to host, please Contact Marcia Underwood or marcia2465@yahoo.com Many people travel during the summer months, but this has been a very active group, remember inviting a friend or neighbor to join in the fun will help keep full tables!! Neala Newsworthy Did you see any photos of church members in the Village Voice or other local publication that have not been posted on the bulletin board? If you do, please place them in Eileen Miller s Evangelism mailbox which is located just outside the conference room. Thanks! Call Committee Update The Call Committee met the second week in May to get an update about what is happening with the call process. Our sight profile is out on the ELCA website, and there have been some inquiries. Carl Hoffman, who is the staff person who has been working on call processes, has taken a position as the interim at Joy Lutheran Church in Tulsa, so the majority of the call process work has again fallen on Bishop Mike s shoulders. We are truly blessed to have Pastor Bill here with us; we enjoy his preaching, teaching and interacting with us, and he will continue as long as the call process takes. As we said from the start, this all takes time, and will come to a conclusion in God s time. Thanks for being patient with the process. Call Committee Thanks for Your Support The Living God s Abundance Fundraising Task Force would like to thank the members of Community of Joy for their generous support of our fundraising efforts, starting with the first breakfast in March to the BBQ on May 6 th. With your backing, we were able to reach our $3000 goal in 2 months. Our efforts were helped along with Action Grants from Thrivent Financial, which provided $250 to purchase supplies for the breakfasts and another $250 to purchase the supplies for the BBQ. We hope you enjoyed all that good food, and thank you again.

5 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 6 Page 5 June Scripture and Prayer Take time to meditate on the words of Psalm 67. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon the earth, your saving power among the nations. Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the people praise you. The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere Him. Heavenly Father, We do thank and praise you for the countless blessings you have bestowed upon us here at Community of Joy in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. May we feel your face shining on us, infusing us with your saving power, so that we may be your people in this time and place. Continue to be with our call committee as they patiently seek the pastor you have chosen as our next spiritual leader. Remind us daily to uphold them in prayer as they wait for word from the Synod. Bless the ministry of Pastor Bill as he works among us. Guide our council and committees as they continue the work of ministry and mission. Send your Holy Spirit upon each of us, to stir us in faith and devotion, so our actions will reflect your love for all the world. Grant us, as your people, to sing for joy and praise your name so that all will know you and your grace and peace. In Jesus name, Amen. Cost in Altar Flowers At the last council meeting it was decided to make the cost of each vase an even dollar amount. Updated Member and Friends Phone Directory We are in the process of publishing a new Members and Friends Directory which will include the new photos of all of us. The pictures will be IN COLOR from our very own color copier/printer in the church office. Technology is Wonderful!! I want to thank all of you who came in to pose for me for your picture. It seems that most of us do not enjoy this process but once in a while it is nice to do. I got lots of really great pictures again this time. I think that we are a good looking bunch here at Community of Joy and I always have fun taking the pictures. If by chance you would like a copy of your picture, just let me know and I will it to you. Jan Folstad OUR MISSION TO BE A FAMILY OF LOVING, CARING DISCIPLES - BOLDLY SERVING GOD WITH JOY (2) vases - $44.00 (1) vase - $22.00

6 Page 6 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 6 WOMEN OF JOY We all enjoyed our lunch and exchange. Thanks a million to Glenda Baker, Ann King, Pat Sievert, MJ Herrig and Neala Gunderson for planning this FUN event! We installed new officers for They are: Char Maeda, Joyce Hochreiter as co-leaders, secretary, Laurel Gunderson and Glenda Baker, treasurer. My thanks to all these past 2 yrs. Board members, Deb Baker, MJ and the lovely Laurel. I feel blessed with so many of you ladies becoming my friends, thru our monthly meeting. My hope is that we have bigger turn-outs for meetings. If you are new, join us! The ladies of Community of Joy and some guests enjoy conversation and anxiously await to try their special salad lunch. Women of Joy 3 Salad Luncheon and Boutique Exchange May 17, 2016 was our last meeting for this season. Ann King had a devotional about cleaning out the clutter in our homes and hearts. A short business meeting followed. My last thought is the Good Sam's Way. "Joy is knowing that God loves you, and joy is the delight you feel each time you give God's love away." The many gifts we share are a sign of Christ's love. By sharing these gifts, we provide joy to others and give our lives meaning and value. Amen, Sue Fisher We decided to split the up-coming garage sales monies 3 ways: Hillcrest Orphanage/Compact, Safe Haven, and Project Hope Food Bank. Cedar Mt Boys and Girls club has been given $350 from this years offering. Next year, offerings for a charity will be voted on at the September meeting. Forms can be filled out and are in Women of Joy mailbox. Remember they must benefit women and children, within a 50 mi. radius, and have volunteer opportunities. We only have 3 going to help at Safe Haven Thrift Shop in HS. It is a 3 hour shift, one day a month. Neala Gunderson, Angela Nickols, and I are the 3. More help is needed. Call me if you can spare a day! Ladies shopping at the Boutique Exchange. Lots of great items were donated for the exchange.

7 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 6 Page 7 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Jim Gruenewald June 2 Glenda Baker June 4 Tom Nickols June 5 Art Rozema June 6 Bob Geraghty June 7 June Palmquist June 12 Judy Brothis June 16 Judy Schultz June 19 Cindy Schlachtenhaufen June 20 Christine Szathmary June 26 Evangelism Team's Roadside Cleanup Day The Evangelism Team's Roadside Cleanup Day was a success. There were nine of us. We spent just over an hour picking up trash right outside the Glazier Peau Gate. We filled ten trash bags in addition to picking up some car parts and house shingles. Fortunately the rain held off and we had a fairly cool morning. Our 'Gods Work Our Hands' t-shirts stood out, drawing many waves from drivers passing by. Lee Cordes donated some blood to the cause, having tangled with a bramble bush. Karen Sterzik separated recyclables from the trash holding true to the cause. Thanks, Char Village Walk for Cancer Research September 24, 2016, 7:30 a.m. The 15 th annual Village Walk for Cancer Research will begin this year at the Balboa Pavilion, using the Balboa and Hernando Trails to allow participants to walk up to 5 miles that morning. This cancer walk is led by a volunteer organization here in the Village whose mission is to raise awareness and raise funds for cancer research at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS. Their goal this year is to have 450 walkers and raise $50,000. Community of Joy will be helping in this fundraising event by hosting a water table midway through the walk, offering a drink of water to the participants as they pass by. The E Team will be manning this table during the walk. We are also helping by encouraging our members to complete and send in the registration form to participate in the walk on Sept. 24 th. The motto, Imagine a Future Without Cancer, is a wonderful reminder of what cancer research might give us in the future. Please consider being a part of this worthwhile activity. You don t have to walk 5 miles-you don t even have to walk 5 feet. Complete the form, add your check and donation, and mail it in. We hope to have our Community of Joy participants stand out in our bright yellow God s Work Our Hands tee shirts on the day of the walk. Registration forms and a sign-up sheet are available in the narthex. Please consider being a part of this effort. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Jim & Liz Warren June 1 Jeff & Anne King June 5 (45 yrs) Jack & Barb Woodman June 5 (45 yrs) Terry & Denny Bayes June 7 Ray & Joanne Ice June 8 Don & Sandy Lundin June 9 Mike & Jean Anderson June 12 Steve & Carol Legel June 12 Phil & Cindy Schlachtenhaufen June 16 Bob & Debbie Baker June 17 Jim & Sharon Hess June 17 (55 yrs) Dick & Laurel Gunderson June 19 Harvey & Jay McIntyre June 23 (60 yrs) Larry & Nancy Griffin June 26 Duane & Debbie Meagher June 28 Hello: THANK YOU!! I wanted to thank you for the use of your church for our recent Crush Cancer golf sale. Obviously, not having to rent a facility means we are able to contribute that much more to the Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Additionally, the facility works really well for displaying the merchandise. We made about $6500, which was double the amount we made last year! On behalf of the WGA18 golf league and the Social League, thanks again for the very generous gift of the use of your church. Rebecca Huber - Womens Golf Association

8 June 2016 Office Hours Monday - Friday 10:00-2: SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 Adult Bible Study 9:00 am 3 Home Hosted at Neala Gunderson s 4 Inquirers Conversation 10:00 am Coffee 4:30 pm Worship 5:00 pm 5 Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am 6 Property Committee 3:00 pm 7 8 Singles Group at Way Point DeSoto Marina 5:30 pm 9 Council Meeting 8:30 am Coffee 4:30 pm Worship 5:00 pm Home Hosted 18 Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am Coffee 4:30 pm Worship 5:00 pm 19 Father s Day Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am 20 1st Day of Summer Adult Bible Study 9:00 am Coffee 4:30 pm Worship 5:00 pm 26 Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am Golf Scramble Cortez 2:00 pm Men s Breakfast Deborah s 8:00 am cofjoy@sbcglobal.net Community of Joy Lutheran Church 110 Balboa Road Hot Springs Village, AR 71909