CAN THESE DRY BONES LIVE? bizarre and disturbing qualities of Ezekiel s vision. Here

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1 Saint Paul s Epistle Published Monthly by Saint Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, Connecticut June 2009 Volume 67, Number 6 of the Valley of Dry Bones, shown here, captures the CAN THESE DRY BONES LIVE? bizarre and disturbing qualities of Ezekiel s vision. Here The alternate reading for the First Lesson on we find the skeleton s reassembling themselves. Ezekiel Pentecost Sunday is from Ezekiel, chapter 14. It is that wrote, As I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a strange, if not a bit gruesome, vision of the valley of dry rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I bones. looked, and there were sinews on Ezekiel was a prophet of the them, and flesh had come upon 6th century BC. He probably got them, and skin had covered them. his start as a priest in the Temple in (37:7-8) Jerusalem. When the Babylonian As a child I marvelled at the king, Nebuchadrezzar, forced the strange yet wonderful vision that Kingdom of Judah (all that was left Ezekiel depicted. Here the natural of the once united Israel) to surrencourse of decomposition was der, many of Judah s elite were sent reversed. A whole valley full of into exile in Babylonia. Ezekiel was death and bones was transformed one of these original deportees. A into one brimming with life and few years later, following an hope. And, as God explains, here attempt to revolt against their the lifeless and hopeless people of Babylonian occupiers, Jerusalem Israel become a people empowered was sacked and the temple comby a promise of restoration. pletely destroyed. We too, can echo the words of With everything that the people Israel, Our bones are dried up, and of Israel and Judah held dear now our hope is lost; we are cut off comgone or destroyed, and having been pletely. Whether it be because of a forcibly removed from their homepersonal loss or a family tragedy, a land and held captive in a foreign present misfortune or a future and hostile land, Ezekiel s fellow threat, life can seem overwhelming Israelites despaired. They naturally at times. And this experience can felt as if their God had abandoned Gustave Doré, The Vision of the Valley be, for some, unrelenting and never and forgotten them. They cried out of Dry Bones, 1865 ending. to God, Our bones are dried up, Pentecost is about God breathing life back into dry, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely. lifeless bones. Our bones, too. Through the gift of the After a period of nearly 22 years of silence, Ezekiel Holy Spirit and in both Greek and Hebrew, the word finally spoke words of comfort and hope to his people. In for spirit is the same for both wind and breath we, like chapter 37, Ezekiel has a vision of a valley full of dry the ancient Israelites, have hope of renewal. Our future, bones. God asks Ezekiel the question, Mortal, can these even when we feel completely cut off, becomes open to bones live? Ezekiel responds that only God knows. And countless possibilities. Death and its evil minions no then he is commanded to prophesy to the bones. And the longer hold any power over us. power of his message, God s word, restores the people, Can our dry bones live again? Can our hope be turning them from lifeless, disconnected, dry bones into restored? The voice of the prophet assures us with an the living, breathing, hoping people of God. unequivocal, Yes. Gustave Doré was one of France's most prolific and popular book illustrators in the 19th century. His Vision Pastor Hugh Haffenreffer

2 FOUR GOALS TO GUIDE OUR MISSION You have prayed, pondered, and voted. The priorities that will shape the next four years of our ministry together are listed below. It is now that we must come together as a united body of Christ and lend our talent, time and treasure to make sure that these goals become real, bringing hope and change to our congregation and its families. Kerygma: How we share our message of hope Establish a team to determine the best way to offer worship to the widest number of people (including members and seeker/visitors) given the present limits of our resources (staff, financial, volunteers). What might this mean? We might wish to examine how we worship from the point of view of a seeker/visitor in order to make our worship services more user-friendly. We might examine how a visitor/seeker experiences St. Paul s hospitality ( from the coffee pot to the parking lot ) in order to make that experience a more intentionally welcoming one. We might take a comprehensive look at the message that is communicated through our worship through our music, prayers, sermons, and the like to see if they can better address the real spiritual and faith needs of our people. Didache: Our Teaching Ministry Develop a team to make a comprehensive examination of the present needs and issues facing our children, youths and families, with special focus on their spiritual and faith formation needs and challenges, and develop an educational program that better responds to these needs and better accommodates the reality of their lives. What might this mean? We might develop a confirmation and youth education ministry that will better prepare our teens and young adults to meet world they inhabit with the resources of faith in God and a commitment to Christian service. We might develop and resource a youth program to better meet the spiritual, faith formation and fellowship needs of our youths, to involve them in worship, ongoing faith formation, fellowship opportunities, and service projects. We might create and implement a spiritual growth and faith formation ministry that will seek to better meet the complex needs of our youths, families, and adults, with a special focus on strengthening our biblical literacy and its relevance to Christian discipleship. Diakonia: Service and Care Identify specific needs outside of St. Paul s where we can extend the love of Christ to others in need through advocacy, service and other kinds of support. What might this mean? We might establish a formal, ongoing relationship with a local soup kitchen to provide meals to those who are homeless. We might start a coffee ministry to provide a cup of hot coffee to those who wait in the cold to receive food from Mobile Foodshare. We might contact other churches in Wethersfield to see how we might collaborate in providing service and support to those in need. We might decide to host a regular community meal for those who need food and community in the greater Wethersfield area. Oikonomia: Stewardship Develop a year-round stewardship ministry that promotes both fiscal responsibility and advances theologically sound stewardship principles. What might this mean? We could find ways to help people better use their time, talent and treasure in service of God s mission in the world. We could promote regular stewardship educational opportunities throughout the year to help people understand what true Christian Stewardship could mean in their lives. We could develop a fiscal health plan to reduce borrowing from savings in our budget process by 25% per year over the next four years (with the goal of eliminating our dependence upon savings all together) and increase the churches revenue by 30% within the next two years. For more information do not hesitate to talk to Pastor Hugh or any of our Council members. 2

3 SOUTH PARK INN NEWS We will be celebrating July 4th this year by preparing a meal for the South Park Inn. Here are some critical pieces of information: The Facts about Hunger & Poverty Domestic Hunger Facts 35.5 million people including 12.6 million children live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (10.9 percent). 4.0 percent of U.S. households experience hunger. Some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for a whole day million people, including 430 thousand children, live in these homes.! We will meet at 11:30 AM to prepare the meal at St. Paul s! We will leave St. Paul s at 4:15 PM to set- up at South Park Inn! We will supply the following: Entrées Salad & Salad Dressing Drinks (Ice tea or lemonade or juices) Bread Rolls Butter Dessert Candy Volunteers are needed to prepare the feast and serve it. If you have never done this before, now is the time. I promise you will receive back 100X what you give! Recipe ideas and conversions on how to prepare this for 120 people are also needed. The cakes, cookies, candy, rolls, etc. were so well received the last time that I pray we have these items again. Please contact me ASAP so that we can plan accordingly. Thanks in advance for your help with this! Jim Newmark jnewmark@stpaulswethersfield.org CONTACT INFORMATION TO CREATE BETTER COMMUNICATION In an effort to create more lines of communication with our elected leaders, the Church Council has requested that we periodically include contact information for all council members and officers. Below are their names, positions and addresses Council Members and Contact Information Rick Seip: Jim Newmark: William Fischer: Heather Christensen: Alan Niederfringer: Julie Perry: Winnie Sawrun: Tom Grottke: Mary Procyk: President, Caring Ministries rseip@stpaulswethersfield.org Vice President, Mutual Ministries, Fellowship jnewmark@stpaulswethersfield.org secretary, Outreach bfischer@stpaulswethersfield.org Youth and Education heather@stpaulswethersfield.org alan@stpaulswethersfield.org Evangelism jperry@stpaulswethersfield.org Worship and Music wsawrun@stpaulswethersfield.org Our Officers Treasurer tgrottke@stpaulswethersfield.org Financial Secretary, Bookkeeper mprocyk@stpaulswethersfield.org Rev. Hugh R. B. Haffenreffer, Pastor Office: (860) Cell Phone: (860) pastorh@stpaulswethersfield.org 3

4 Have you ever wonder what a Naturopathic Physician is? Come find out on Wednesday June 17, 6:30 PM. St. Paul s Church Fellowship Hall. A FREE discussion by Kathleen M. Riley, ND. Dr. Riley has been practicing in CT for over 20 years. She received her Naturopathic degree from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Riley is a member of the American Assc. of Naturopathic Physicians and the CT Society of Naturopathic Physicians. She has received certifications in advanced Bowen from The Brown therapy Academy of Australia. Dr. Riley enjoys working with pediatrics and women s medicine. Other areas she works in are tick born illness, Allergies, Oncology and a variety of acute and chronic illnesses. Questions/Concerns, contact Carol Farley & I will relay the information to Dr. Riley who will do her best to include it in her material. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by June 15th to Carol Farley at *Monetary donations to benefit the Hawkwing Project will be accepted. A Retreat for St. Paul s Women The Healing Power of Hope Saturday June St. Paul s 9:30 AM ~ 4 PM A time to share experiences, to focus on HOPE and its impact on our lives. Thank you to all who donated items to the tag sale. It was a great success. We raised $ Car Wash/Bake Sale- Saturday June 20th, 9am-12pm. If you would like to bake please let Carol Farley or Deb Viola know. Stocks for sale 06/07/09 and 06/28/09 after both services. Thank you to everyone who donated used cell phones & ink cartridges. We have sent them in and will no longer be collecting. Sneaker Collection Box April 22 ~ June 20 Recycle that rubber! Sneakers can be re-made into playground and athletic surfaces instead of getting dumped into landfills. Please, no sneakers with gels or metal cleats. Drop off sneakers at the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center on Prospect St. Wethersfield. *In cooperation with the CT Recyclers Coalition. Meeting June 7th after the 10:30 AM service. Please join us with your ideas. If you are working on any projects at home we would love to hear from you. Summer fruits- if you like to pick your fruits please consider picking some extra for canning. Carol Farley & Debbie Viola will be canning summer fruits for jams & jellies. So please let us know if you have some to share. Address Change Joyce Piecewicz 83 Westway Wethersfield, phone: (860) jpiecewicz@sbcglobal.net 4

5 1 Robert Henderson 1 Debbie LePage 9 Allen Piscitello 11 Thomas DiCioccio 12 Eric Sullivan 13 Kim Koczka 14 Richard Mehl 17 Margaret DeBlois 17 Elizabeth Matteson 18 June Krug 18 Kimberlee Ruppar 18 Klaus Wittkop 21 George C. Howe 23 Nancy Malinguaggio 23 Mary Simon 28 Jean Parsons After many months of trying to find a good time to officially receive them, we extend a warm welcome to our newest members: Andy and Le Ann Power The generosity of the members of St.Paul s never goes away, and for that the Outreach Committee is grateful. Donations of food, personal care items and cash have made keeping a full food cabinet an easy task. We have also been blessed with circumstances related to our being an agent of Foodshare whereby we now have an abundance of food. During this tough economic downturn many people are facing hard times that can t be anticipated or prevented. We are eager to help anyone in need. If you or your neighbors, relatives, friends or co-workers need a couple bags of groceries just once, or over an extended time period, don t hesitate to get in touch with us. Children and the elderly especially should not have to endure hunger which weakens the spirit as well as the body. Give us a call. The Outreach Committee And we received into the Body of Christ through Holy Baptism Caleb Anthony Parchment April 12, 2009 Caleb is the son of Lola-mae Palmer and Gavin James Power May 17, 2009 and, of course, Gavin is the son of Le Ann and Andy Power 5

6 ST. PAUL S MEMBERS IN SERVICE FOR June 2009 ACOLYTES: Linda Anderson, Coordinator, June 7 - Celia Cheyney 14 - Josh Marzano 21 - Gretchen Schultz 28 - Jamie Piscitello ALTAR GUILD: Linda Anderson, Coordinator, June 7 - Helen Peterson & Mary Susla 14 - Carol Farley & Debbie Howe 21 - Mary Procyk & Cindy Seip 28 - Ann French & Winnie Sawrun ASSISTING MINISTERS: Coordinator June 7 - Art Bruce - 8:00 Kathy Coyle - 10: Emily Lourigan - 8:00 Mike Coyle - 10: Mary Procyk - 9: Patty Bengtson - 9:00 COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Sue Agne, Coordinator, June 7 - Carole Hughes 14 - Patty Bengtson 21 - Helen Peterson 28 - Dick Agne LECTORS: Lillian Doerschler, Coordinator, June 7 - Jeanette Serafine 14 - Lillian Doerschler 21 - David Bayek 28 - Lillian Doerschler NURSERY: Ann French, Coordinator, June 7 - Margaret & Erica DeBlois 14 - Julie & Matt Perry 21 - volunteer needed 28 - Julie & Matt Perry TAPING MINISTRY: Coordinator June -Deb Howe USHERS: Brian Beckwith, Coordinator, 8AM, Louise Lostocco, Coordinator, 10:30AM, June Brian Beckwith - 8:00 George & Deb Howe - 10:30 *Summer schedule starts on Sunday June 21, 2009 FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS: Winnie Sawrun, Coordinator, June 7 - Carol Hopkins & Pat Scirocco 14 - Mary Procyk & Tracy Newmark 21 - Margaret DeBlois & Carol Farley 28 - Joanna & Allen Piscitello FINANCE: Mary Procyk, Coordinator, June 7 - Winnie Sawrun 14 - George Howe 21 - Art Bruce 28 - Mike Coyle 6

7 June 2009 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Outreach Comm. Meeting 7 PM 3 Bible Study 10:30AM Youth Potluck 5:30PM Conf. Class 6:15 PM AA 7 PM Choir 7:30 PM 4 Thurs. Group 10AM Special Council Meeting 7PM 5 AA 10 AM 6 AA 7:30PM 7 Holy Comm. 8:00 AM Holy Comm. 10:30 AM Myers Baptism 10:30 service Harvest Fair Meeting after 10:30 service New Orlean Mtg. 12:30PM 14 Holy Comm. 8:00 AM Holy Comm. 10:30 AM 8 Pastor Away this week AA 7 PM Choir 7:30 PM 17 Naturopathic 6:30 PM fellowship area AA 7 PM 11 Thurs. Group 10AM 18 Men s Breakfast 7:30AM Thurs. Group 10AM 12 AA 10 AM 19 AA 10 AM 13 Women s Retreat 9:30 AM - 4 PM AA 7:30PM 20 Car Wash/Bake Sale 9 AM -12 PM Northrop/Wittorff Wedding 1 PM AA 7:30PM 21 Father s Day Summer Sched. Begins Holy Communion 9AM Parish Admin. 6:30PM Council 7:30PM 24 AA 7 PM 25 Thurs. Group 10AM 26 AA 10 AM 27 AA 7:30PM 28 Holy Communion 9AM 29 30

8 SAINT PAUL S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH 371 Wolcott Hill Road Wethersfield, CT RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED WORSHIP SCHEDULE Worship at 8:00 and 10:30AM SCS & Adult Ed. at 9:00AM OFFICERS AND STAFF Rev. Hugh R. B. Haffenreffer, Pastor...Office: (860) Cell Phone: (860) pastorh@stpaulswethersfield.org Office Manager...Janet Vasel: janet@stpaulswethersfield.org Council President...Rick Seip Treasurer...Tom Grottke Financial Sect y...mary Procyk Minister of Music...Melissa Cheyney Superintendent of Sunday Church School...Alice Ruppar REMINDERS: SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE (June 21 through September 6) Sundays at 9:00 AM June 2009