God s Work, Our Hands

Transcription

1 Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas Phone Fax Volume No God s Work, Our Hands March 2013 Edition Inside this issue: La Vern and Butterflies 1 Kindred Sisters 2 Birthdays/Anniversaries 2 Come, Holy Spirit Conf. 2 Preparing for Sunday 2 Stephen Ministry 2 Greeting Card Ministry 2 Church Clean-Up 2 Youth Focus 3 Prayer List 3 Crop Walk 3 Game Days 3 From Mary Vaughn 3 Game Night 3 Memorials 3 Holy Week Services 3 Synod Assembly Volunteer 4 Job Search Ministry 4 Lutheran World Relief 4 Habitat for Humanity 4 Book Club 4 Library Notes 5 Global Initiatives 5 State of the Church 5 New Life Children s Center 5 Worship Leadership 6 Calendar 7 JSM Flyer 8 La Vern and Butterflies An old shed sits near the fence in our backyard. Vines cover one of its sides, and last month bright yellow flowers were blooming on those vines. I noticed that a butterfly was busy collecting pollen from those flowers, flitting first from one and then to another. February seems too early for the blooming of flowers and the appearance of butterflies even in a place like central Texas. But then Easter Sunday almost always associated with the beauty and warmth of the spring season also arrives early this year, that is, on March 31 st. That means, of course, when you receive this issue of Life-Lines, we will still have thirty days left of the season of Lent. Still, just as some flowers blossomed early this year and butterflies emerged from their cocoons, let's turn our attention then to the Resurrection. Some years ago a pillar of the congregation I was then serving her name was LaVern was diagnosed with a malignant and inoperable brain tumor. She was the kind of Christian that so many others admire. As well as doing volunteer work in the larger community, she was able and happy to give of herself to the ministries of the church. She headed the altar guild. She prepared food for funeral receptions and for those who were sick. She sang in the choir. She always participated in the adult Sunday school class. And more. But she never tooted her own horn and once even scolded me for thanking her for something she had done. As La Vern's cancer spread, her husband was no longer able to care for her at home, and she was moved to the local nursing center. On the day of my first visit, I noticed that some brightly colored paper butterflies had been taped up on the wall of her room. Her grandchildren had made them for her when they were still young. Another time I saw more paper butterflies, which were suspended in the air by strings hanging from the ceiling. Later on even more butterflies appeared, including several in the medium of stained glass. By this point her room was filled with them! What had happened was that every time her daughter and daughter-in-law visited her, they had brought along some of their butterfly artwork. La Vern loved butterflies. So decorating her room with them was one of the ways in which they expressed their love. Even after she was no longer aware of her surroundings, the butterflies remained. Their presence not only demonstrated the love of family members, but also served as a powerful witness to others nursing staff, friends, neighbors, and me as well. As a symbol of the Resurrection, they reminded all of us of God's promise of eternal life even in the midst of death and dying. After La Vern's death, her daughter-in-law presented me with a gift my own stained-glass butterfly. I still have it; it sits on a windowsill in the kitchen. Every time I see it, it reminds me of La Vern. It also reminds me that as the season of winter must finally give way to the warmth and sunshine of spring, so death itself will vanish in the coming of the new life of the Son. Pastor Alan

2 Page 2 Life-Lines KINDRED SISTERS NEWS Birthdays: Spilo, Walter 03/04 Parsons, Marilee 03/06 Sellers, Russell 03/07 Covington, Rebecca 03/08 Schroeder, Eric 03/18 Wiruscheske, Rea 03/20 Prather, Callie 03/21 Scott, Savannah 03/21 Weston, Greg 03/24 Eckermann, Austin 03/25 Willenborg, Shari 03/25 Breyer, Alan 03/27 Freitag, Damon 03/31 Anniversaries: Chuck & Julia Neeley 03/12/1977 Preparing for Sunday March 3 Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 March 10 Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 March 17 Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 March 24 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 22:14-23:56 March 31 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, Corinthians 15:19-26 Luke 24:1-12 Kindred Sisters will assemble Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Personal Care Kits on Tuesday, March 5, 10:30 am in Koinonia Café. When natural disaster strikes or political conflict flares, families often have little chance to gather their belongings before fleeing the danger. They are dirty from traveling to a refugee camp or safety, and these simple items in the Kit washes away dirt and sweat. Imagine feeling the softness of a towel, smelling a fresh scent of soap, and knowing someone cares for you! We hope to meet our challenge to LOLLC to do 75 Kits. Come join us, all ladies and friends of LOLLC are welcome. Bring a Sack Lunch. Glenace Klinker is our Dessert Hostess. Questions: Joanne Forseth and/or Glenace Klinker Kindred Sisters meeting in February was a popcorn time as we watched, laughed, and enjoyed the movie Joyful Noise with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. Enjoyed watching it on LOLLC s new audio TV equipment. Thank you. Year 2013 Kindred Sisters TOPIC/DESSERT HOSTESS Chart is on Board in the Café Please sign accordingly. COME, HOLY SPIRIT CONFERENCE Capital North/Capital South Conference Event Theme: "Come, Holy Spirit" Saturday, March 9, :30 am - 3:30 pm : Hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church Reg Fee: $ See Board in Café 500 Immanuel Road, Pflugerville, TX This is an opportunity for ALL LOLLC Women STEPHEN MINISTRY The Lord of Life Stephen Ministers would like to know you better and be known better by you. To advance this program we will have a Stephen Minister on Duty each week. One of your Stephen Ministers will be available to visit with you after first service and before second service each week. If you have questions about Stephen Ministry, want to begin the process of having a Stephen Minister assigned to you or just want to chat, please feel free to look us up. Thanks for your support of Stephen Ministry at Lord of Life. John Paul Crawford, Stephen Ministry Leader. GREETING CARD MINISTRY Did you know? Greeting cards are sent from LOLLC for illnesses, birthdays, anniversaries, to convey sympathy, and to let people know we are praying for them or just thinking of them. What a wonderful ministry Brenda Searcy leads for us! If you know someone who needs to be uplifted by this ministry, please contact Brenda or the church office. CHURCH CLEAN-UP The annual clean up will be on Saturday, March 23 beginning at 8:00 am. Hope you will come and participate so that we can make our church buildings and grounds look beautiful for Easter Sunday. We need help both inside and outside. If you plan to work outside, please wear appropriate clothing (gloves, hat, etc.) and bring any available tools such as weed whackers / line trimmers, rakes, shovels, weeders, wheelbarrows, etc. A light breakfast and lunch will be served.

3 Volume No YOUTH FOCUS The LOL Youth Group went to a Texas Stars hockey game on February 16th. Eight LOL kids went to the game along with two sponsors. Everyone had a great time watching the game and enjoying the concession foods. CROP WALK The Elementary Sunday School invites you to join us for the Crop Walk at Camp Mabry on Sunday, March 3. Wear your LOL t-shirts to church! We'll collect noisy offering and donations at both services. Grab lunch on your own and meet us at the registration table at 1:45! We look forward to helping end world hunger and bonding as a church family! For more information contact Erica Smith at ericamathresmith@att.net or go online by searching Crop Walk Austin. GAME DAYS Are you ready for some fun? Game days in March are Tuesday, March 12 and Thursday, March 21 beginning at 10:00 am. Please bring your own lunch. Come and enjoy the fellowship and games. GAME NIGHT As you know, we ve had such a wonderful response to our Game Day that this past year we added a second Game Day one on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and one on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Now we d love to add a Game Night for those folks who are unable to participate during the day. We first need to find someone to coordinate this for us. After determining a monthly date/time, this person would be responsible for communications in Life Lines, Leaflet, and during announcements on Sunday. We re very excited to expand this ministry to allow even more folks to get together for fun and fellowship. If you re interested in coordinating or participating, please contact the church office or Deb Grunska at congregational_life@lordoflifeaustin.org. Page 3 REMEMBERING IN PRAYER OUR MEMBERS, FRIENDS/FAMILY, AND HOMEBOUND Ann Willman, Angie Parr, Horace Pennington, Lolly Grunska, Meg Bittner, Bob Welch, Fran Hurley, Jeanine North, Diana Colon, Lou Bennett, Ruby Ivy, Dot Harrington Deal Lord of Life Members, I would like to thank each of you for the support and comfort you have shown me during this stressful time. Without the support of my family and my family at Lord of Life it would have been far more stressful. Roger loved his Church and all of you. He would have been honored to have so many of you there at his memorial service. I am sure he is at Heaven s Door welcoming arrivals and assigning duties for their praise service. Please accept my thanks, Mary Vaughn MEMORIALS In memory of Vada Bockhorn: Stan & B. J. Friedman John & Sandra Winkler In memory of Roselle Girard: Rea Wiruscheske In memory of Esther Knape: Walter & Maxine Krizov In memory of Roger Vaughn: Harry & Barbara Dailey Paul Rohne, Jr. Herman & Olga Haenel Patsy Walker

4 Page 4 Life-Lines SYNOD ASSEMBLY VOLUNTEERS The LOLLC council is requesting 2 volunteers to attend the 2013 Assembly of the Southwestern Texas Synod, Saturday, May 4th - Sunday, May 5th. The theme of the Assembly is Always Being Made New which reflects the ELCA s theme for the 25th anniversary of the ELCA as well as the emphasis within people, congregations and agencies of the SWT Synod of always being made new by the fire of God s Spirit. It is a pleasure to welcome the people of the Southwestern Texas Synod to the relaxed atmosphere of the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville and to the beautiful hills of the Hill Country Conference. If interested, please contact Dick Fink, Rex Schroeder or Pastor Watt. More information at LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Project HEALTH KITS LWR is supported each year by LOLLC via Kindred Sisters. Since 1945, US Lutherans have provided material resources by the TON for people in need around the world. By sharing tools for better health and education, you bring new hope and dignity to thousands of people throughout the world. Per LWR Director A LWR quilt or kit not only brings physical comfort, it also brings emotional comfort. Per NEED request, we will again assemble HEALTH KITS, hopefully 75 kits as last year; therefore, Kindred Sisters is asking for help to collect the items by Sunday, March 3, Please put any of the following items in the LWR box in the Welcome Center Thank you. 1. Dark color hand towel ( 20" 40" - 52" 27") 2. Dark color wash cloth 3. Comb wide tooth preferred 4. Metal nail file or nail clippers w/ file attached 5. Bath size (4-5 oz) soap in original wrapping 6. Adult toothbrush in original wrapping 7. or a Monetary Donation 8. NO TOOTHPASTE The Lutheran World Relief Ingathering is Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas. We will be taking LOLLC s HEALTH KITS to this Ingathering. You can be assured that your support of LWR with these donations and offerings is greatly appreciated. Sessions by Appointment Only Contact (512) to schedule an appointment Free to Everyone Visit our website: Sponsored by Lord of Life Lutheran Church HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is again working with Austin Habitat for Humanity to construct a decent, simple, and affordable home in Austin for a deserving local family seeking great economic independence in They need our help! This build, which will be in northeast Austin, will take place on eight consecutive Saturdays, beginning on March 30 and ending on May 18 luckily before the summer heat arrives! We had a wonderful group of volunteers help with last year s build and we d like to put together a crew to help out once again. Our goal would be to provide one crew (20-25 workers). We also provided lunch and could possibly do that this year, too. This is a great opportunity for fellowship with each other and our community while participating in a life-changing activity that will really make a difference to people in our community. No prior construction experience is required! However, all volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. I am also looking for someone to coordinate this project (selecting the date and organizing our volunteers). If you are interested in volunteering or leading this project, please contact Deb Grunska at congregational_life@lordoflifeaustin.org. BOOK CLUB Tuesday Book Group will begin a new book on April 2nd, the first Tuesday after Easter. Harvey Cox, recently retired (2009) divinity professor from Harvard, had published that same year his book The Future of Faith in which the reader gets to benefit from his lifetime reflections on changes in Christianity. The book opens with the question What does the future hold for religion and for Christianity in particular? If you would like to know more about this reading group, contact Olga Haenel or herman.haenel@att.net

5 Volume No Page 5 ONE SUMMER - by: David Baldacci LIBRARY NOTES - SUGGESTED READING APRIL 2013 By: Donna Estes This is the story of Jack, a man with an incurable disease, his family who live in Ohio. He has only a few weeks to live - it is nearing Christmas & he begins to write letters to his wife, Lizzie, for her to read upon his death. Unfortunately Lizzie is killed in a car accident only days before Christmas while going out to get pain meds for Jack. Lizzie s parents immediately come & take the children from Jack, putting him into a Hospice. Jack miraculously & completely recovers from a disease which has been deadly in 100% of the patients who contract the disease. Jack vows to get his strength & his children back & with the help of a long time friend begins a strenuous workout plan. Jack eventually gets his children back, moves the entire family to a dilapidated beach house on the Carolina coast which he inherited & begins repairs on the house and lighthouse. This is a beautiful & insightful story. It is an emotional & unforgettable story about the resilience of a father s spirit & reminds us that love binds families together both in this world & beyond.. TEXAS ROCKS AND MINERALS (An Amateur s Guide) - by: Roselle M. Girard (a former member of Lord Of Life) This booklet serves as a brief, simple guide that will be of help to school children, amateur collectors & others who are just beginning to develop an interest in rocks & minerals of Texas. It is a companion volume to TEXAS FOSSILS, by Wm. H. Matthews III. This booklet describes in detail many of the commonly found rocks in Texas, such as Geodes, Granite, & Gypsum, to name a few, and how you can go about extracting these rocks should you wish to pursue this as a hobby. It is simple to read & very informative. 5-MINUTE BIBLE STORIES - by: Publications International, LTD This is the bible story book that the late Roger Vaughn used for his Sunday Children s Sermons. Mary graciously donated it to our LOL library in honor of Roger. It is a beautifully illustrated book with short bible stories that young children will really enjoy looking at & reading. Been to our website lately? It has a brand new look! Check it out at: CONGRATULATIONS! June Margaret Krejci - Born 02/21/13 Granddaughter of Bill and Janet Krejci GLOBAL INITIATIVES Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is now available on the For Members page of our website, so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the world for Christ. NEW LIFE CHILDREN S CENTER The Make a Difference Gala is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th. At Scholz Garten in downtown Austin. We have partnered with Lutheran Social Services in the past to support this facility. Please consider becoming a sponsor. Visit for more details. Income for Jan.: $16,591 Income YTD: $16,591 Expenses for Jan.: $23,186 Expenses YTD: $23,186 Net Loss for Jan.: -$6,595 Net Gain YTD: -$6,595 Worship Attendance 12/2/ /9/ /16/ /23/ /24/ /30/ Weekly Average 126 YTD Total 6,738 Weekly Average 125

6 Volume No Page 5 Worship Leaders for March 2013 MARCH 3, 2012 Third Sunday in Lent Color: Purple Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Chuck Neeley Lector/Petitioner: Marge Kretschmar Communion Assistant: Max Kretschmar Acolyte: Maddy Penland Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Rex Schroeder Ushers: Doug Searcy; Gary Parsons, Shawn Simon, Eric Warnsman, Max Kretschmar Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell, Jim Tarsi; Deanna & Lauren Brown (setup) Bread: The Weston Family Stephen Minister: Pam Kamensky Flowers: Edith Swartz, in memory of Katherine Stewart MARCH 10, 2012 Fourth Sunday in Lent Color: Purple Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Rex Schroeder Lector/Petitioner: Dick Fink Communion Assistant: Deb Grunska Acolyte: Oscar Lopez Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Chuck Neeley Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Rachel Brown, Madeline & Natalie Smith, Maddy Penland, Callie Prather Altar Guild: John & Patti Kassel (setup); Chuck & Julia Neeley Bread: Mike & Pam Kamensky Stephen Minister: Marge Robison Flowers: Chuck & Julia Neeley, in celebration of their anniversary. MARCH 17, 2012 Fifth Sunday in Lent Color: Purple Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: John Paul Crawford Lector/Petitioner: Chuck Neeley Communion Assistant: Nell Pennington Acolyte: Carter Parsons & Harley Ekrut Media Assistant: Doug Searcy; Dick Fink Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Rachel Brown, Madeline & Natalie Smith, Maddy Penland, Callie Prather Altar Guild: Barbara Snook, Brenda Searcy; Deb Grunska & Barb Petry (setup) Bread: Deb Grunska Stephen Minister: Horace & Nell Pennington Flowers: Rea Wiruscheske s family, in celebration of her birthday. MARCH 24, 2012 Palm Sunday Color: Purple Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Marilee Parsons Lector/Petitioner: Mindy Penland Communion Assistant: Shari Willenborg Acolyte: Connor Sheehan Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Lloyd Haskins Ushers: Doug Searcy; Horace & Nell Pennington, Robert & Linda Lane Altar Guild: Cindy Wilks & Dee Smith (setup); Heather Simpson, Avery Willenborg Bread: The Wilks Family Stephen Minister: Pam Kamensky Flowers: MARCH 31, 2012 Easter Sunday Color: White Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Diane Smith Lector/Petitioner: Deb Grunska Communion Assistant: Mike Kamensky Acolyte: Raina Parsons Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Barry Kincart Ushers: Doug Searcy; Horace & Nell Pennington, Robert & Linda Lane Altar Guild: Alan & Susan Breyer; Deanna & Lauren Brown (setup) Bread: by intinction Stephen Minister: John Paul & Dorothy Crawford Flowers:

7 Page 6 Life-Lines March 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 Noisy Offering 9:30 Sunday School 2:30 Crop Walk 5:00 Emmanuel Indian Fellowship Gathering :30am Kindred Sisters Bells Rehearsal 6 11:30am 12:00 / 6:00pm Lenten Meal 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal 7 Finance Committee Meeting 1 6:00pm First Communion Class :30 Sunday School 11 7:30pm Stephen Ministers Meeting 12 10:00am Game Day Bells Rehearsal 13 11:30am 12:00 / 6:00pm Lenten Meal 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal 14 Church Council Meeting :30 Sunday School 12:00 Lunch Bunch 5:00 Emmanuel Indian Fellowship Gathering Bells Rehearsal 20 11:30am 12:00 / 6:00pm Lenten Meal 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal 21 10:00am Game Day Church Work Day 24 Palm Sunday 9:30 Sunday School :45pm Bells Rehearsal 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal 28 Maundy Th 6:30pm The Last Supper Remembered 29 Good Fri 7:00am Prayer Vigil Evening Service: Choir Cantata Easter Sunday 9:30 Easter Egg Hunt 5:00 Emmanuel Indian Fellowship Gathering

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