For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.

Transcription

1 Christ Lutheran Church September 2018 CHRIST S MESSENGER DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN CHRIST, As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, Follow me. And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? 12 But when he heard this, he said, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners. (Matthew 9:9-13) As I thought about a scripture reading for the worship service of my 10 th anniversary of ordination to the office of Word and Sacrament ministry, I was immediately drawn to the feast of St. Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist. This festival day is observed in the Church on September 21st. We know that the call of St. Matthew is an adaptation of the call of Levi from Mark 2: Levi, the son of the Alphaeus, was sitting at a tax booth. Jesus saw Levi and said to him, Follow me. Levi, a tax collector, got up from his tax booth and followed Jesus. In Mark 2:15, it was Jesus and his disciples who came to have dinner with the tax collectors and sinners at Levi s house. In Hebrew, the name Levi means attached or joined. In the Old Testament, Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah. Levi was an ancestor of the Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites were known as the priestly class of Israelites. Historically, tax collectors were known for dishonesty and extortion of the common people. We know from Luke 3:12 that as the tax collectors came to be baptized by Jesus, he instructed them to collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. But the tax collectors did not post up the regulations; they instead made false valuations and accusations against the people. They would then send soldiers into the communities to threaten and extort the people. In those days, tax collectors were not the people you would want to be associated with. The teachers of the law (known as the Pharisees) observed Jesus interaction with Levi and other tax collectors, and they were appalled because Jesus had broken the ritual purity laws of Judaism. The tax collectors were among the many groups of people that were considered to be unclean. For Jesus to associate with someone that was considered unclean, the Pharisees feared the impurities and rebellion of the unclean people would contaminate the righteous observers of the law. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Mission & Ministry... 3 Relational Ministry... 5 Prayer List... 5 Christian Education Ministry... 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries... 6 Worship Assistants... 7 September Calendar..insert continued on page 2

2 continued from page 1 Matthew was also a tax collector. Jesus saw him sitting at a tax booth, and without hesitation or interrogation, Jesus said to him, Follow me. Matthew then invites fellow tax collectors and sinners to meet Jesus and his disciples at Matthew s house. The name Matthew is the shortened version of Mattathias meaning the gift of Yahweh or the gift of God. Matthew s gospel does not specify if the tax collector s name was changed when Jesus called Matthew to follow him. While the Pharisees were getting upset with Jesus for hanging out with sinners, Jesus embodies God s grace and mercy. Jesus did not come to the dinner party just to show tolerance of tax collectors and sinners. Jesus was the embodiment of God s love and forgiveness that calls sinners to serve in God s kingdom. By calling this specific tax collector Matthew, we come to realize that no one is so broken or sinful that they cannot enter into God s kingdom. Jesus call to Matthew the tax collector transforms his life. Saint Matthew and the Angel by Guido Reni Notice that Matthew does not discontinue being a tax collector. The Scripture reading does not indicate Matthew as the former tax collector. Matthew needed to feed his family and take care of the basic necessities of his family and community. However, as I have said in sermons many times, God s grace embraces the sinner and leaves them changed after they encounter God s Word embodied in Jesus Christ. I imagine that after this life changing encounter with Christ, Matthew performed his duties as a tax collector differently. By the power of the Holy Spirit and following Jesus Christ, Matthew was able to live into the new commandment of loving God and loving his neighbors as Christ loved in his words and his actions. We know Matthew goes onto be an apostle and evangelist that spread the good news of Christ through his gospel writing. I want to be clear that our worship celebration on September 23 rd at 4:00 p.m. will be about the call of the baptized people of God. God calls each and every single one of us to live and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. There is no person in this world that is too broken or too sinful to live into God s love and forgiveness. God is able to take each of us and empower us by the Holy Spirit to go forth into the vineyards to serve with the various gifts and abilities that are given to us by God. I also want to be clear that this celebration is not a competition to see who is the most sinful person or that somehow the body of Christ is only for the perfect or those we think are righteous. When we examine ourselves before God as individuals and as the whole people of God, we all have something that is in need of God s grace and reconciling love. All are in need of God s mercy and forgiveness. Each day we die to our old selves and are raised to new life in Jesus Christ...For in Christ, all things are made new. This might come as a surprise to you: even pastors are in need of God s love and forgiveness. Even though pastors and their families are put on pedestals, we are still human begins who are in need of God s love and forgiveness. There is NO such thing as perfection. If there were, we would not need God and Jesus Christ in our lives. As baptized children of God, we are called to proclaim and live into the good news of Jesus Christ in the world. We are called to share God s unconditional love and mercy embodied in Jesus Christ with those in the world that have not heard this good news of God s grace and forgiveness. Each day we die to our old selves and are raised to new life in Jesus Christ. Yes, we are sinners, but that is not the end of the story. For in Christ, all things are made new. Through God, all things are made possible. Each day we are sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit to live holy lives in response to God s unconditional love and forgiveness fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 2 continued on page 3

3 continued from page 2 Ten years later, as a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ and by His authority, I am called to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments of the Holy Baptism and the Lord s Supper. And hopefully, as I am preaching and teaching God s Word and administering the Sacraments, it empowers each of you to go forth to serve in God s kingdom for another week. To you, the people of Christ Lutheran Church here in Vienna, and to all of the previous congregations I ve served these past 10 years: THANK YOU for your love and patience as I grow in my spiritual formation as an ordained pastor of the Church. I am aware this is both the internal and external call of God that has been confirmed by the Church. It is a call that I take seriously. It is a privilege and an honor to serve with you in God s kingdom. For the times I have fallen short in my call, I ask for your forgiveness. THANK YOU for six amazing years of ministry in Vienna! THANK YOU for your love and support of Matt and I as we serve with all of you. THANK YOU to my husband, Matt, for his love, support, and patience through the good and the bad times in life. Above all, I give THANKS TO GOD. Without God, I would not be able to do what He calls me to do. Each day is a sacred and holy ground to proclaim and live the good news of Jesus Christ. I look forward to seeing you in worship on September 23 rd at 4:00 p.m. For those who are not able to attend, please keep those assembled in your prayers. Serving with you in Christ, Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, Pastor MISSION AND MINISTRY GOOD SAMARITAN FOOD PANTRY NEWS WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET RID OF YOUR OLD, UNUSED SUITCASES? The Good Samaritan Center is in need of gently used suitcases with wheels. Please leave your suitcases by the Good Samaritan donation crate in the hallway by the narthex at Christ Lutheran Church. Thanks in advance for your help! MONTHLY DONATION ITEM(S) SEPTEMBER: Pudding or Jell-O 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. Please place all items in the narthex, and these will be delivered to the Good Samaritan Center. CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING Sunday, September 16, :00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall If you cannot be here, please contact Pastor Rowlands. 3

4 You are cordially invited to a 10 th Anniversary of Ordination C E L E B R A T I O N in honor of Reverend Emilie E. Theobald-Rowlands Service of Holy Communion Sunday, September 23 rd, 4:00 PM Christ Lutheran Church 4513 Grand Central Ave. Vienna, WV Dinner to follow Rev. Matthew Lynn Riegel, guest preacher Bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod (ELCA) Clergy are invited to vest (service color: red) Kindly RSVP via (clcvienna@gmail.com) or by signing up in the Christ Lutheran Church narthex.

5 RELATIONAL MINISTRY ELDERBERRIES By Delores Steege Elderberries met for lunch on Thursday, August 16, at the Ruby Tuesday restaurant. There were 8 in attendance. We were happy to welcome Jenny McCormick and Eleanor Baker. (We have been missing the Bakers.) Thanks, Jenny for coming and bringing your mother. Others attending were Kay Rowan, Judi and Ron Clampitt, Jerry DiNicola, and Delores and Jerry Steege. Jerry D. brought us up to date on Jerry John and a card was signed for him. Next month, we will meet at noon on Thursday, September 20, at don Emilio s. Hope to see you there. Delores Steege (304) PRAYER LIST With all the people of God, we keep in prayer: Glen Addis; Dorothy Armstrong; Eleanor Baker; Pearl Baker; Heidi, Steve, Lauren, Sarah, and Evelyn Banko; Judy Congleton; Sandy Crutchfield; Richard Delaney; Richard Dilinger; Jerry John DiNicola; Lila Eagle; Mary Evans; Pam Goots; Ann Hammer; Sally Hannan; Mary Hennen; Carrie Hommond; Diana Houllings; Judy Lawson; Laura Lemley; Crystal Longmire; Natasha Longmire; Johnnie Mays; Madelin McCormick; Dylan Mellinger; Rob Miser; Mary Ann Osborne; Mary Ann Roddy; Dottie Rothwell; Les Rothwell; Gean Secreto; Mildred Stanley; police and first responders; our troops; Christians and other minorities in the Middle East; people in the Ukraine and eastern Europe; pray for peace; and for our military especially for Airman Elijah Modesitt (US Airforce). ADULT FELLOWSHIP: TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 2018 Please take note of the following events that are being planned for 2018 at CLC: Pastor s 10th Anniversary Service: September 23, 2018 Service 4:00 p.m. Dinner 5:00 p.m. NOTE: A sign-up sheet will be available at all services. CLC will provide chicken potatoes, cake, and drinks. The congregation is asked to provide salads, vegetables, side dishes, and rolls. DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP IS SUNDAY, S EPTEMBER 16 Oktoberfest: October 28, 2018 Election Day Spaghetti Dinner: November 6, 2018 Progressive Dinner: December 15, 2018 If you have any other ideas or questions, please contact Vicki Wilson, Relational Ministry Chairperson. 5

6 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY THE AUSBURG CONFESSION AND THE APOLOGY Midweek Evening Bible Study 2018 Schedule for Wednesday evening classes (6:30-8:30 PM) SERMON ON THE MOUNT BIBLE STUDY Tuesday, September 4, 2018 We will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall the first Tuesday of each month from 10:30-11:30 AM September 19, 2018: The Gospel and the Sacraments (Articles V, XIV, & XXVIII) Part One September 26, 2018: The Gospel and the Sacraments (Articles V, XIV, & XXVIII) Part Two October 3, 2018: The New Obedience: Faith and Good Works (Articles VI & XX) Part One October 10, 2018: TBA October 17, 2018: TBA October 24, 2018: The New Obedience: Faith and Good Works (Articles VI & XX) Part Two *October 31, 2018: NO CLASS THIS EVENING* November 7, 2018: The Church: Congregation of Saints (Articles VII, VIII, & XV) Part One November 14, 2018: TBA September 1 Vicki Wilson September 11 Jessica Rogers September 18 Barb Volker September 21 Pastor Emilie Theobald-Rowlands November 21, 2018: The Church: Congregation of Saints (Articles VII, VIII, & XV) Part Two A light meal will be provided at each study. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BREAKFAST Sunday, September 19, :30-10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall Come kick-off the CLC Christian Education Classes! All age groups are invited to participate in Christian Education Classes each year. Please bring a potluck breakfast item to share! September 2 Pearl & Eleanor Baker We are also asking for donations of non-perishable food items for the Good Samaritan Center in Vienna. And the first Sunday of the month, all Christian Education Class offerings will be donated to the Good Samaritan Center. 6

7 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASSES Fall 2018 Schedule Most Sundays from 9:30-10:30 AM (September 16 & 30, October 7 & 21, November 4, 11, 18, & 25, December 2, 16, & 23, January 6) Exceptions for: September 23 & October 14 from 9:00-9:45 AM NO Christian Education Classes on: October 28, December 9 & 30 SEPTEMBER WORSHIP ASSISTANTS SEPTEMBER 2 9:30 AM SERVICE 10:45 AM SERVICE Reader Delores Steege Melissa Bannister Ushers Vicki Wilson Kay Rowan Assisting Minister Dave Freeman Volunteer SEPTEMBER 9 8:30 AM SERVICE 10:45 AM SERVICE Reader TBA Larry Armstrong Usher Volunteer Avery & Erin Phillips SEPTEMBER 16 8:30 AM SERVICE 10:45 AM SERVICE Reader Jerry DiNicola Lisa Miser Ushers Volunteer Ron & Judi Clampitt Assisting Minister NONE Dave Freeman SEPTEMBER 23 10:00 AM SERVICE 4:00 PM SERVICE Reader Pastor Rowlands Will Rogers Ushers Volunteer Al Behnke & Kay Rowan Assisting Minister NONE TBA SEPTEMBER 16 8:30 AM SERVICE 10:45 AM SERVICE Reader Gary Miller Al Behnke Ushers Volunteer Will & Laura Rogers ALTAR GUILD FOR SEPTEMBER: September 2, 2018: Rocky Freeman September 16, 2018: Rocky Freeman September 23, 2018 (4:00 p.m.): Jenny Knotts & Vicki Wilson CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS President Pastor Emilie Theobald-Rowlands Vice President vacant Secretary Rocky Freeman Treasurer Rob Miser ex officio Financial Secretary Kay Rowan ex officio Worship and Music Ministry Chairperson *Melissa Bannister Relational Ministry Chairperson Vicki Wilson Christian Education Ministry Chairpersons Dave Freeman Erin Phillips Women s Group Ministry Rocky Freeman Kay Rowan Stewardship and Property Ministry Chairperson Mike Knotts Mission and Ministry Chairperson *Jenny Knotts Evangelism and Outreach Ministry Chairpersons Larry Armstrong Mysti Carpenter * = non-council members If you have suggestions or concerns about the ministries of Christ Lutheran, please contact a member of the Church Council. 7

8 NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS Place items for the newsletter in the church mailbox or to church office by the 25th of the month. Please include your name with the submission. Thank you! CHRIST LUTHERAN MISSON As Children of God, nourished by Word, sacrament and the fellowship of loving, hopeful believers, we are guided by the Holy Spirit to witness to Christ s saving presence in this world. Fall Worship Schedule Sundays First Worship 8:30 a.m. Christian Education Classes 9:30 a.m. Second Worship 10:45 a.m. Contact Us Church Office Hours Phone: (304) clcvienna@gmail.com Facebook: Christ Lutheran Church Website: M-T-Th 8:30 AM -11:30 AM Hanah Dawkins, Office Administrator Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, Pastor Christ Lutheran Church 4513 Grand Central Ave. Vienna, WV 26105