Are You Stuck or Free? by Jonathan Zellar, Director of Youth Ministries

Transcription

1 August 2017 Are You Stuck or Free? by Jonathan Zellar, Director of Youth Ministries AT THIS THE MAN S FACE FELL. HE WENT AWAY SAD, BECAUSE HE HAD GREAT WEALTH. JESUS LOOKED AROUND AND SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, HOW HARD IT IS FOR THE RICH TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD! - MARK 10:22-23 I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things. As I sat and watched I was completely intrigued by the fact that so many people in this documentary were successfully climbing the corporate ladder and came to the realization they were stuck. They were stuck in a cycle that they didn t ever expect to find themselves in, and now weren t sure how to get themselves out of; a cycle that demanded they buy the latest tech and gear to stay relevant because theirs was no longer good enough; a cycle that demanded they work long hours otherwise they would get overlooked for the next promotion; a cycle that made money, achievement, and stuff more important than their own health and well-being a cycle that always demanded more. As the documentary ended, I proceeded to look around my basement and started to analyze my own things. I looked at a bookshelf with countless books that I haven t even opened, two drawers full of DVDs that I haven t watched in a long time, a Wii that sits unused, and 3 piles of laundry waiting to be done. I started to think about which of those things held value in my life and who determined what that value was. Which led to questions like: What are the Important Things? What makes something important? Why do we find value in it? Is that value monetary or sentimental? Does it give you status? Is it a way to keep up with the Joneses? All of these questions seemed to lead to a greater question: Am I stuck in the same cycle as those in the documentary? If so, what can be done? (Now, I am not suggesting that everyone get rid of all of their material belongings, but if minimalism is your bread and butter, then more power to you.) The point of this story is to reflect on the question: Am I stuck? To which the answer, at first glance, is YES! It may be that you can relate to the people of this documentary and find yourself in a job that you don t like, or with so much stuff that you could have a block sale instead of a yard sale. However, I m talking about a different kind of stuck: being stuck in a cycle that has an eternal set of consequences; being stuck in the cycle of sin. The people in the documentary decided that enough was enough and took action. Some decided to quit their jobs to pursue something more, and some decided that they only wanted material things in their life that held value to them. They made decisions that helped them take steps towards breaking their stuff cycle. Unfortunately we don t have that same opportunity. We don t have the power to quit or give up sinning. Sorry! Thankfully, God has that power and decided enough was enough. He took action by sending Jesus into the world to end that cycle of sin! We are freed from sin because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. We are freed to know how valuable we are to the one who created the world. We are freed to share the message of that freedom and how much Christ loves us to any and every one. We are not stuck. We are free!

2 PAGE 2 Update on Proposed Building Addition Council members and architect search committee representatives finalized the Pope Architect contract on July 17. Church representatives asked numerous questions, clarified contract language, and affirmed different points of financial commitment. Thank you to the following members engaged in architect selection and/or finalizing our contract: Lynn Pahl, President Cal Kuhlman, Council member Julie Sherman, Council member and architect selection committee Terry Helland, architect selection committee Janet Smith, architect selection committee Scott Douglas, building committee chair August action items include hiring a construction management firm. This item was approved at the May 21 Town Hall meeting. The architect firm and construction management firm must have a positive working relationship. Both firms will be in place prior to staff/member interviews regarding design ideas. Cross View s fall focus will be Cross View membership interviews with Pope Architects and our construction management firm. This was initially planned for summer. The building design committee will balance design ideas with budget parameters. Coordination with Pope Architects and our construction management firm will create schematic drawings, visual aids, and accurate cost projections for a late fall or early winter Town Hall meeting. Cross View intends to partner with The Timothy Group for a capital campaign after congregational pre-design review and Church Council approval. Lynn Pahl, President, or Scott Douglas, Building Committee Chair are available to answer questions. s can be sent to: grow@crossview.net Claire Oie Returns Please welcome Claire Oie back to the Church Office! The Personnel Committee approved the following Church Secretary position changes: Re-naming the Church Secretary position to Administrative Assistant. This reflects current duties, responsibilities, and business practices. The job description and pay rate will remain the same. Effective August 3, 2017, Margaret Garrison, current Administrative Assistant, will begin a voluntary workweek reduction from 32 to 25 hours. Effective August 3, 2017, Claire Oie will return from retirement and work as Administrative Assistant Thursday and Friday afternoons. This job sharing opportunity reduces the Administrative Assistant yearly budget. EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER ECC Graduation on Aug. 15; ECC Calls Stacey LaMere to be Director ECC GRADUATION AUGUST 16, 6:30 PM You are invited to the ECC Graduation on August 16, to celebrate the 22 children who will begin Kindergarten this fall. It is amazing to see how each child has grown over the years. It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye. We will miss them all, but we can rejoice over the developmental growth they have made at Cross View. We take assurance in the facts that not only are they ready for Kindergarten, but that they have also begun a new phase of their life journey and faith walk. We pray that they may continue to grow in God s love. We would like to say thank you to all our summer workers who enthusiastically helped us this summer. We thank Dawn Wheeler, Sarah Wheeler, Lauren Swenson, Zoie Berkley, Sarah Lindley and Esther Kelzer for all their help this summer! CROSS VIEW EXTENDS ECC CALL Cross View Lutheran Church extended an Early Childhood Center Director Call to Stacey LaMere. A July 16, 2017 Meet & Greet and Special Voters meeting identified unanimous support for the Personnel Committee s recommendation to call Stacey. Stacey s background includes: Attending St. Peter s Lutheran School - Edina Attending Minneapolis Lutheran High School B.A. from Concordia University, Portland, Oregon with ` an Elementary Education major and Math minor Middle School teacher and coaching experience in Kansas and Florida 4 years Cross View Early Childhood Center teacher (6 years), Assistant Director (3 years), and Interim Director (6 months) Cross View will coordinate the Call with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - Minnesota South District Office. Please keep Stacey and the Early Childhood Center program in your prayers. We thank Call Committee participants: Andrea Burns, ECC parent; Kathy Jarvis, ECC teacher; Susan Charles and Randy Ash, Cross View members; Christine Eid staff representative; Pastor Wheeler; and Cindy Scheer- Jackson and Scott Douglas, Call Co-chairs.

3 PAGE 3 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Fall Children s Ministry Registration is Coming; Looking Back at A World of Music FALL REGISTRATION COMING SOON Registration for fall children s ministry opportunities will start at the end of August. Mailings will go to all families with children, and include information and instructions to help us prepare for a great Fall Kickoff on Sunday, September 10! This year, children s ministry will join the rest of the congregation with the theme, A Firm Foundation. MUSIC CAMP A WORLD OF MUSIC Wow! We had an awesome week learning about music around the world, July 17-21, as 42 students learned and performed the musical A World of Music! In addition to learning the musical revue, we had special guests who taught a Japanese song, played a bagpipe, and did Scottish Dancing. Devotions during the week reminded us of all the ways we, and the world, can praise God! Thanks for a great week! InC Scores at Lawn Bowling on July 9 Fifteen people enjoyed friendly competition and socializing at InC s July event.

4 PAGE 6 OUTREACH AND MISSIONS VEAP Back to School Donations, POBLO Volunteer Opportunities VEAP BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM Cross View s collection of school materials will continue through August 13. Each of the approximately 3500 children who are served will receive a new backpack containing the age appropriate school supplies. For a complete list of needed items, see the poster near the collection point in the Narthex. WAYS TO HELP POBLO God is so good! People Of the Book Lutheran Outreach has been expanding in the Minneapolis South Metro Area! So we need your help. The International Friendship Center (IFC) at Mount Hope Lutheran Church in Bloomington is growing by the grace of God, and we are currently recruiting for volunteers to join us at Burnsville s potential IFC at Lutheran Church of the Ascension. How can you help? You can pray. You can donate items. You can be part of people s lives by informally teaching ESL or citizenship classes (roundtable of 5 maximum students); or you can assist in the knitting, sewing, cooking, or CROSSWAYS INTERNATIONAL CALLING You re Invited to Condensed Crossways Class Crossways International invites you to join us for a condensed class on Crossways. Crossways International (CI) will be conducting a 4 ½ day seminar in its Bloomington office, August 28-September 1. During the seminar, Reverend Tim Schaefer will focus on exploring CI s 60-unit course, Crossways. We invite members of Cross View Lutheran Church to attend for only the cost of materials and meals---no seminar registration fee. To register or if you have questions, please call CI s office at (952) We hope you will join us! Cards & Games Begins in September A new season of Cross View Cards & Games begins in September. We meet at Cross View at 7 PM on the 2nd Friday of each month, September May (6:30 pm for pot luck dinners in December and May). Connect with Cross View members and friends (adults of all ages) for several hours of fun and fellowship by participating in cards and games of your choice (e.g. Bridge, 500, Cribbage, Whist, Golf, Dominoes, Pinochle, Rummikub, Tic, Hand and Foot). If you are interested, sign up at the Connection Center in the lobby, or contact Loren and Marge Rehmer ( ). In early September, registered participants will receive a schedule that will include the names of all players, substitutes, and hosts/co-hosts for the new season. Women s Book Club, August 21, 1:00 The Women s Book Club meets at Linda Baule s home on August 21, at 1:00 PM. They will be discussing The Quilter s Apprentice, by Jennifer Chiaverini. All women of Cross View are welcome to join. Please contact the hostess if you have any questions. computer classes. You also learn from others as you learn about them. Mount Hope Lutheran Church, Bloomington: 1. English (ESL) teacher on Mondays. 10:00-11:00 AM 2. ESL teachers to substitute for the absence of teachers; days are Mondays or/and Wednesdays or/and Fridays. 10:00-11:00 AM 3. Childcare in the morning on the same days Mondays or/and Wednesdays or/and Fridays from 10:00-11:00 AM 4. Stationary supplies: Notebooks, Notepads, Pencils, Erasers, Rulers, Binders & Sleeves, Sewing Ruler (50 cm), Recordable CDs, Small White Dry Erase Boards (Pens + erasers). 5. Transporting some students back and forth to their residences (within 5 miles). General Needs: 1. Other supplies: Gas or any gift cards. 2. Thrivent s Action Teams: making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-actionteams/ Oct. 5th Sunday Service Day Ideas Needed! Planning has begun for our next 5th Sunday Service Day on Sunday, October 29. Do you have an idea for a service project members of Cross View can do together? Would you like to be on the planning team for this opportunity to touch our community? Contact Christine Eid at christine@crossview.net or to find out how you can be a part of it! Senior Adults Upcoming Activities The Cross View Senior Ministry Action Team has been planning a calendar of events for the upcoming year. On Monday, September 18, we will kick off the year with a birthday luncheon to celebrate and honor our older adults. During the luncheon, attendees will be encouraged to share their ideas and sign up for future events. Another social event is planned for the afternoon of October 8, at Cross View. Watch for further information in September. Members of the Senior Ministry Action Team are Chuck Daenzer, Mary Daenzer, Rich Meier, Barbara Reichert and Kathy Fulkerson. We welcome new ideas. Please speak to a M.A.T. member or send your ideas to cdaenzer1@comcast.net.

5 PAGE 7 CROSS VIEW YOUTH MINISTRY 2018 Mission Trip Location to Be Revealed; Upcoming Events; July Recap; College Event AUGUST 6, 5:30 PM MISSION TRIP LOCATION REVEAL MEETING! Come see where Cross View s senior high youth are headed next summer! YOUTH EVENTS CALENDAR August 6 Sr High MAT Meeting August 6 Mission Trip Reveal August 6 Music in the Main Stream Youth Group August 11 College/Grads Saints Game August 13 Music in the Main Stream Youth Group August 15 Jr High MAT Meeting August 18 Jr High Footgolf Event August 20 Youth Group End of Summer Bonfire September 3 No Youth Group September 10 Fall Kickoff Pool Party at the Pahl s September 17 Regular Youth Group September 24 Regular Youth Group October 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 October 28 October 29 Youth Group Youth Group Jr/Sr High Severs Corn Maze Youth Group Rake and Run Youth Group COLLEGE/RECENT GRADS Please join us for a Saint Paul Saints game on August 11 at 7:05 PM! JULY EVENTS The junior and senior high youth have been active in July with a bonfire, Valleyfair Day, Mini Golf and Ice Cream, and the Pizza challenge.

6 PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT 10th Annual YAMS Picnic August 13, 4:00 PM Staring Lake Park Pavilion, Eden Prairie. Sign up at the Connection Center. Adult Choir Begins Sept. 6 Join the fun! Join the song! Age 16+ welcome; No audition. 6:30 8:00 PM, Wednesdays Questions? Rebecca@crossview.net

7 PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT Cross View August 2017

8 Cross View Lutheran Church 6645 McCauley Trail West Edina, MN Return Service Requested NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO August 2017 SCHEDULE Sunday Worship: 8:15 AM (Traditional) & 10:45 AM (Contemporary) Sunday Christian Education, 9:30 AM Office Hours: Tues.-Fri., 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Closed Monday Developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ along life s journey Rev. Steve Wheeler, Senior Pastor ext 203, steve@crossview.net Rev. Toby Schmidt, Associate Pastor ext 206, toby@crossview.net Christine Eid, Children s Ministry ext 215, christine@crossview.net Jonathan Zellar, Youth & Young Adults MInistries ext 207, jonathan@crossview.net Lisa Carston, Finance & Administration ext 204, lisa@crossview.net Margaret Garrison, Parish Secretary ext 200, margaret@crossview.net Rebecca Waller, Music & Fine Arts Ministries ext 210, rebecca@crossview.net Stacey LaMere, Interim Director of Early Childhood Center ext 222 stacey@crossview.net Jason Paulson, Contemporary Music jason@crossview.net Jungjoo Park, Organist jungjoo@crossview.net Lynn Pahl, President Nadar & Georgette Alaraj, POBLO Todd & Kim Roeske, Evangelistic Missionaries in Alaska Rev. Dr. Harry Wendt, Crossways International Alaska Mission Trip by Pastor Toby Schmidt This is a weird article to write. I m writing this on the day that we fly out to go on mission, and you won t be reading this until we are already back. My, how time flies! We want to let you know, our brothers and sisters in Christ, how thankful we are for all the ways you have encouraged and supported the Alaska Mission Team on this endeavor. You have made this trip possible, and for that we are truly blessed and thankful. Thank you for all your prayers and for Going on Mission with Us. And thank you for allowing us to support and partner with the Roeske family and Alaska Mission for Christ as they build relationships and do ministry where God has put them. Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. The Clarion is published monthly by Cross View Lutheran Church, 6645 McCauley Trail West, Edina, MN, (Office), (FAX), (ECC). Items for inclusion may be dropped off in the church office