Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter

Transcription

1 Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter 56 Cleveland Drive, Croton NY Phone: MAY/JUNE This Month's Emphases Back to Basics Back to Basics... Page 1 Confirmation... Page 3 This Month's News Free Hot Tub... Page 2 Easter Flower Dedications... Page 2 President s Letter... Page 3 Won t You Help... Page 3 Our Saviour Wish List... Page 3 Alpha... Page 4 Church Retreat Page 4 Organ Fundraiser... Page 4 Blood Drive... Page 4 I Receive the Signal... Page 5 Coffee for Coffee Hour... Page 5 May Sunday Servants... Page 6 June Sunday Servants... Page 6 MayCalendar... Page 7 June Calendar... Page 8 VBS Registration and Form... Pages 9 & 10 BACK TO BASICS Pastor Anthony Stephens ( ) I remember the late Tim Lull, dean of my seminary, well. Doing work study as a seminary driver I used to collect him from Oakland or San Francisco airport after his numerous speaking, teaching or preaching engagements. These included the early, My Coversations with Martin Luther days. Lull preached one day in chapel; lamenting the nouveau cuisine that was being served up on the flights turnip puree sandwiches, apricot preserve glazed chicken and so forth. However, on a recent flight, Southwest I believe, the airline had gone back to basics with something simple. Lull had been overjoyed. That was actually Lull s great forte. He was a creative and very thoughtful professor of systematics and Luther scholar, but having done all the work and thinking he would turn his thoughts out in a simple and clear fashion. One felt that one was learning something basic. Basking in the resurrection joy it is time for Our Saviour to return to basics. Last year Rick Warren s works were almost ubiquitous. Whether you hold Warren in high regard or not, his identification of five New Testament principles or purposes is useful: 1) Evangelism 2) Worship 3) Fellowship 4) Edification 5) Ministry I however think the basic church can be identified by these traits: 1) Evangelism 2) Worship 3) Stewardship 4) Education 5) Fellowship 6) Concern for the World 7) Concern for Each Other Perhaps this may seem to be moving away from the basics, but the following descriptions should make clear that these are very much the basics of being and acting like a church. Evangelism is what distinguishes a church from a chapel or club. At its most basic evangelism is the basic effort of telling or illustrating the hope instilling and life transforming story of God s love to a hitherto un-persuaded or disconsolate audience. While this audience has traditionally been outside of the church, it is not necessarily a sound assumption to believe that such good news is writ large on every pew-dweller s heart, all the time. Worship is clearly a mark of the church. It does not mean service or liturgy, though these are forms of worship. It does mean attitude and action. Worship orients us towards God, so we neither claim glory for success and blessings, nor shoulder the world s or are own cares. 1

2 Stewardship is everything that a believer does in response to the belief. It is a recognition that all things come from God and God s own do we give. How we treat these privileges and responsibility reflects our faith. Education has always put flesh on the bones of the Spirit s whisper to believe and Jesus relentless call to charity through loving, serving, honoring, peacemaking and seeing that the poor have enough. Christian education should be principle up (e.g., the love of God), not conclusion down (e.g., support of political position). Fellowship, or koinonia, is the way that love (care, concern, respect, inclusion) is communicated within the church, as if there is no within. Concern for the world recognizes the empowerment of the Spirit through the Church to change the world and to wear Christ s heart for all. Concern for each other is what Luther refers to as the mutual consolation of the saints. This does not mean pre-occupation with each other, but being there and practically caring in the face of adversity. In the getting back to basics clearly evangelism is at the top of the list. This is not a job to be allocated to an individual or individuals but is the job of every aware soul in the fellowship. This starts with a basic capacity to commend the faith that is in us. If it isn t (in us), consider the possibility that we may need to be evangelized and educated. There are many methods to learn why our story of faith is relevant, transforming and vital but one that has been demanding my attention for a long time, and is being run by many churches of equivalence is the Alpha program of which more later. FREE HOT TUB Eric Golberg ( ) FREE HOT TUB AVAILABLE! If you can carry it out, you are most welcome to it. After many years we have finally decided that we aren t going to use it and so we would like someone who will to please enjoy it. If you or someone you know might be interested in owning a hot tub, please have them give us a call. EASTER FLOWER DEDICATIONS Melanie Mueller ( ) Our beautifully adorned Easter altar was quite uplifting and added to the joy of this glorious day. This was due to the generous donation of many members. Unfortunately, several Easter Flower slips were misplaced and so I would like to restate in entirety the complete Easter Flower Dedications Roster: To the memories of Loved Ones Frya Barnes In memory of parents and brother, William, Minna and Bill Dunn... Ted Dunn To the memory of John Gabrielsen Jr.... Audrey Gabrielsen To the memory of Carl and Dolores Gambino... Gambino family In memory of Deceased Members of the Henninger and Bender Families Cal and Barbara Henninger In memory of Akiwande Weekes and Olive Johnson... Johnson Family To the memory of Loved Ones... Bella Kachnic To the memory of Loved Ones... Kingman Family To the memory of Christine Rogers. Rita Kozlowski To the memory of Marie Husemann and Eleanor Mueller... Mueller Family To the memory of Loved Ones... Anita Mozayeni and David Baumann To the memory of Mrs. F.C. Pardon, Jr.... John F. Pardon To the memory of Loved Ones, Mom, Nana and Aunt Vi... Picucci Family To the memory of Loved Ones... Pointer and Loistl Families To the memory of Dorothea and Walter Kozak... Karen Polacek In memory of parents and daughter, Karen Jeanne Nancy and Bob Riekert To the memory of Dorothy Rondthaler Ed Rondthaler To the memory of Loved Ones... Spacek Family 2

3 PRESIDENT S LETTER Erich Paulsen ( ) Where have all the men gone? The year is years have past. A time when the elders of the church clothed in suits and hats. Pastors always in a black robe entertains my teenage memory. Family and business was the order of the day, but on occasion the pastor of Our Saviour managed to enlist me to volunteer joining numerous men and women to do hands on tasks like painting the parsonage, landscaping, sanding floors, painting the church, the Circle School ceiling, staining decks, roofing or plowing Mr. Dorsch s garden on Grand Street since his age made it all too cumbersome. Most men thought of spending this time as a fraternal way, where as I just wanted the work done. A member named David appeared in his retired Army fatigues, quite a regular and professed every time never to volunteer. Nevertheless, he was there. The year is I stop in the corridor looking into the Dorsch Garden, planted every year anew by Frank Orts. Across at the wall are historical pictorials of the beginnings of Our Saviour. The first gathering places, the ground breaking of the new church, the building of the Parish Hall, the Link, installing the bell Morning Star and there are again those men with their shovels, suits, hats and ties, women cheering them on. The pastor sanctifies their work. A picture of my confirmed children comes into view and then there is color, lots of it. Pictures of people celebrating and perhaps our founders wanted it that way. Where have all the men gone? WON T YOU HELP? Frank Orts ( , ) Spring is upon us and we need to cut the grass again. I m asking anybody that would be willing to help maintain the grass at Our Saviour to call or speak to me. We have a self propelled lawn mower on site. All we need is a few able bodied people willing to take a two week shft to cut the grass. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half each time. Please call Frank Orts during the day at , or in the evening at to let me know if you can help. CONFIRMATION Pastor Anthony Stephens ( ) After having endured two years of confirmation course, catechism calisthenics, monster tests, the wilds of Koinonia, smelly privies, and Pastor s should have been long since retired jokes, the following should be confirmed on June 4 th : Adam Gabrielsen Ben Schwartz Caitlin Pointer Jon Picucci Jon Schwartz Joseph Soucy Nicole Golberg Ryan Clifford They have been a first rate class including a confirmand who managed 100% on a monster test. The red herrings have always been fresh and the number of lame excuses for absence very few! The parents of these confirmands have also consistently played a wonderful role. The discussion with parents question on the home work has often showed the thought and insight into the parent s belief and how it works in the world. This is what confirmands need to know and learn. Strictly confirmation is really affirmation of baptism. It neither marks a graduation nor does it mark a suspension of the 3 rd Commandment; which if you stop any of these confirmands at any time not only will they be able to tell you what that is but what it means according to Luther in their best friend the Small Catechism. Well done to a class who usually has shown great gumption* and been fun to teach. *How to dig holes in water OUR SAVIOUR WISH LIST Pastor Anthony Stephens ( ) We gratefully acknowledge the benevolence and witness of the following: - for her donation to purchase our new Paschal Candle. Evelyn has dedicated this Paschal Candle in honor of her parents, Wilhelm and Margit Enersen. The following items are the outstanding requests: A new Organ for our church is needed. Please consider a gift to the Organ Fund. Thank you all for building up our worshipping community through your generosity. 3

4 ALPHA Pastor Anthony Stephens ( ) Alpha is described as a ten week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of Christian faith to one s life today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity centered around a meal [ ], a talk and small group discussion ( We are currently putting together a team to coordinate the running of this program. This program will be offered to every member of the congregation, and any we can find to invite. This would be particularly suited to those who would come to church with no formal church background or who have never embraced the relevance and excitement of the Christian faith. Further details will be coming soon. ORGAN FUNDRAISER Amy Gardiner, Sunday School ( ) The Pizza Kits are coming!! Get ready!! These spring-time days of after-school activities and delivering children here and yonder and back again leaves parents little time to contemplate, let alone prepare a healthy dinner for their family. What does this fact have to do with raising money for a new organ at Our Saviour? Pizza, of course! The Sunday school children will soon have an opportunity to help others with their weeknight dinner planning while raising money towards a new organ by selling pizza kits to their friends. Just bring the order form along to the athletic field to place some orders there or contact nearby neighbors to place some orders. Each kit includes all that is needed to make three regular cheese pizzas. For each kit sold, $5.00 will go towards the new organ! Perhaps your child can set a goal of selling just 10 kits? Start spreading the news.line up your possible customers now. 4 CHURCH RETREAT 2006 Sue Orts ( ) & Eric Golberg ( ) Our Saviour s Church Retreat for 2006 is on for the Father s Day weekend starting Friday night June 16 th through till lunch on Sunday June 18th at Koinonia Conference Center. Koinonia is a beautiful retreat north of Port Jervis (about one hour and forty five minutes from Croton). This year our focus is Service. Therefore, we will do a trail maintenance service project on Saturday morning. In addition, we will have time for fun, fellowship and spiritual worship. Please join us - all are welcome. Sign -up sheet is on the table in the link. CONFERENCE CENTER RATES $ per person with one adult in a room $ per person with two adults in a room or adult w/child $ per person with three or more adults in a room $ Children 5-16 staying with adults This cost covers 2 nights accommodation (Fri. & Sat.) and all meals beginning with breakfast on Saturday and ending with lunch on Sunday. If you have any questions, contact Sue Orts or Eric Golberg. CROTON COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE Gertrude Tuxen ( ) During the recent New York City Transit Strike, a young fireman, Matthew Long, was seriously injured while trying to get to his firehouse station by riding his bike to work. Matthew was struck by a bus which was chartered to get others to their jobs in the city. That was three months ago and over 60 pints of blood has kept Matthew alive as of today. Blood is always in high demand and most of the time in low supply. Please help out! The Croton Community Blood Drive is being held on Sunday May 7 th at Croton Harmon High School. Appointments are available every 15 minutes from 9:00 am till 3:00 pm. Please call Gertrude Tuxen to make an appointment at Walk-ins are also welcomed but may have a longer wait time. Blood donation is safe, harmless and painless. It can not hurt a healthy donor, and it can save the life of a child with leukemia, a patient with an aneurysm or a young fireman on a bicycle in a collision with a bus! For the lives you save we thank you!

5 I RECEIVE THE SIGL Amy Gardiner ( ) Mom, she s got an ipod, a cell phone, a game boy, and a computer and she tells me that she hates her life. My daughters statement describing a girl she knows at school came right after I had read a worthwhile article in the latest Children s Ministry magazine entitled Raising a G-Rated Kid in an R- Rated World With this article still fresh in my mind, I was equipped to discuss with her the many problems of techno-dependency, which is running rampant in our society today, and help her to understand her friend s unhappiness. In these times when the media is mobile and innuendo crashes on the shores of explicitness, it is so very important to talk to your child about the images on their screens and the noises in their headphones. The solution to many general worries is to monitor and limit. Monitor the TV shows and movies, computer searches and games; all screen time in general. Know who their phone contacts are and encourage then to use the cell phone only when necessary. Encourage free ear time. If parents ever need encouragement in any structuring of their children s activities, they can find support in the Book of Proverbs. Parental Discipline: Proverbs 22:6; 29:15; 20:30; 22:15; 19:18; 29:17; 13:24; 23: But most importantly, teach them to take time to be one-on-one with God s creation, of which they are a part more than their techno-equipment! Help them to observe the reality of nature; its beauty and mystery. Invite them to listen along with you to the sounds of a spring morning. Theses are the images and sounds of God s media and some day when the wires and computer chips are all topped out, the signal to Him will never be lost. He is always online and our children could be taught to look and listen for Him, and in doing so, strengthen their communication skills.of prayer. COFFEE FOR COFFEE HOUR ( ) In the past, the church had provided coffee for the hospitality gathering after the church service each Sunday. Since the church is on a tight budget, the hospitality members are now buying the coffee. In order to continue our outreach to the small coffee farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin American countries by participating in the Lutheran World Relief Coffee Project, we can still purchase this coffee rather than buying it at the local supermarkets. Melanie will be ordering the coffee and putting it in the hospitality closet. This coffee can be purchased for $5.25 a bag by leaving the cash or check made out to Our Saviour in the Coffee Envelope, also found in the hospitality closet. As always, I appreciate all of you who so willingly provide refreshment for our popular coffee hour. LECTOR S LIBRARY DATE FIRST READING SECOND READING May 7 Acts 4: John 3:16-24 May 14 Acts 8: John 4:7-21 May 21 Acts 10: John 5:1-6 May 28 Acts 1:15-17, John 5:9-13 June 4 Acts 2:1-21 Romans 8:22-27 June 11 Isa 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17 June 18 Ezek 17: Cor 5:6-10,14-17 June 25 Job 38: Cor 6:1-13 July 2 Lam 3: Cor 8:7-15 July 9 Ezek 2:1-5 2 Cor 12:2-10 5

6 MAY SUNDAY SERVANTS JUNE SUNDAY SERVANTS May 7 Greeters&Ushers: Jeanne Spacek and Karen Magerlein Lori Esteves Eric Golberg Hospitality: Melanie Scala and Eleanor Soderlund May 14 Greeters&Ushers: Nancy Riekert and Loretta Rapetti Christine Pointer Frya Barnes Eleanor Soderlund Hospitality: Audrey, Sue and Cliff Gabrielsen May 21 Greeters&Ushers: John and Tom Magerlein John Mueller Lawrence Oberhauser Bob Riekert Hospitality: Frya Barnes and Elisabeth Hoener May 28 Greeters&Ushers: Frya Barnes and Lawrence Oberhauser Bella Kachnic Christine Pointer Hospitality: LeeAnn McCarthy and Jen Stieglitz Finally Soli Deo Gloria to God alone be the glory. - J.S. Bach June 4 Greeters&Ushers: Karen Polacek and Deborah Tobin LeeAnn McCarthy John Magerlein Barbara Henninger Ken Gabrielsen Hospitality:Sue Montgomery and Eleanor Soderlund June 11 Greeters & Ushers: Dianne and Meagan Carroll Lori Esteves LeeAnn McCarthy Barbara Henninger Frya Barnes Hospitality: Louise Picucci and Eleanor Soucy June 18 Greeters&Ushers: Jeanne Spacek and Loretta Rapetti John Mueller John Mueller Barbara Henninger Eleanor Soderlund Hospitality: Karen Kuchnicki and Melanie Mueller June 25 Greeters&Ushers:Nancy Riekert & KarenMagerlein Christine Pointer MaryBeth Soucy Barbara Henninger John Magerlein Hospitality: and Eleanor Soucy July 2 Greeters & Ushers: John and Tom Magerlein Lawrence Oberhauser Eleanor Soderlund TBD LeeAnn McCarthy Hospitality: TBD July 9 Greeters & Ushers: Frya Barnes and Deborah Tobin LeeAnn McCarthy Amy Gardiner TBD Hospitality: TBD 6

7 2006 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Fourth of Easter 14 Fifth of Easter Alpha Planning Meeting Sewing Guild 10:00am Confirmation Classes 1st Years 4:30pm 2nd Years 5:35pm Church Council Meeting 17 Confirmation Classes 1st Years 4:30pm 2nd Years 5:35pm 11 Choir Practice 7:45pm 18 HB Sue Orts Chime Choir Choir Practice 7:45pm 12 Circle School Spring Fling 2 nd Friday Youth Group 6:30pm 19 3 rd Friday/Family Night 6:00pm 13 Men s Breakfast 7:30am Sixth of Easter Sewing Guild 10:00am 25 HB Ken Gabrielsen Seventh of Easter HB Martha Stracker Confirmation Classes 1st Years 4:30pm 2nd Years 5:35pm HB Sarah Doherty 31 Confirmation Classes 1st Years 4:30pm 2nd Years 5:35pm Service HA Lisa & Anthony Stephens HA Anna & Ray Calore Key: HB - Happy Birthday HA - Happy Anniversary

8 2006 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Key: HB - Happy Birthday HA - Happy Anniversary 4 Sunday (red) Confirmation Day HB Frank Orts Sewing Guild 10:00am 1 Chime Choir Choir Practice 7:45pm 8 Chime Choir Choir Practice 7:45pm HB Zack Kuchnicki 15 2 HB Eric Golberg 9 2 nd Friday Youth Group 6:30pm HB Ed Rondthaler 16 Koinonia 3 10 Men s Breakfast 7:30am 17 Koinonia Altar Guild 12:00pm HB Martha Stracker 18 2 nd Sunday Pentecost (green) VBS Planning Meeting HB Jack McCarthy HB Peter Gabrielsen Church Council Meeting RETREAT Summer Begins 25 3rd Sunday Pentecost (green) Sewing Guild 10:00am 29 30