Shake, Rattle and Roll

Transcription

1 A t Monthly Newsletter of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer April 2017 t Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer 1100 W. Platte Avenue Fort Morgan, CO Pastor Wesley Dunbar Ft. Morgan Office Phone: Bethlehem Office Phone: Cell Phone: gracepastor2@gmail.com Office Hours Mon. & Wed. at Bethlehem Lutheran Tues. A.M. & Thurs. at LCOR Friday where needed Shake, Rattle and Roll It's a thrill ride at Elitch Gardens. It s in the title of two movies. It s the name of an Alabama support group for people suffering from Parkinson's disease. The phrase also pops up in a cartoon series, a television miniseries and an annual rock and roll event in the United Kingdom. But where does the phrase Shake, Rattle and Roll come from? Being a Blues aficionado I can tell you over 60 years ago blues singer, Big Joe Turner, recorded the song by this title for Atlantic records. Six decades later, people still "Shake, Rattle and Roll." Worship Schedule 8:30 a.m. Worship Website: lcorelca.org Administrative Assistant Vickie Hoffman lcor-morgan@msn.com Congregation Council Members & Officers Terresa Lauck, President Katie Barron, Vice President Margie Dorn, Secretary Erich Dorn, Treasurer, Rowana Ernst Amber Lauck David Lauck Karen Liston Marvin Rosten Brad Wickham The Congregation Council is the core leadership body of the congregation. They are charged with overseeing and directing the life and mission of our church. We encourage you to talk with them! Please pray for their ministry as they provide leadership to LCOR. But I want to suggest that it goes back even further. The prophet Ezekiel has a vision of a lifeless valley of dry bones. Ezekiel 37 seems more like a judgment than a blessing when the prophet reports that the hand and the spirit of God "set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry" (vv. 1-2). Bones. Dry bones. No signs of life. No thrill rides or cartoons or rock 'n' roll drumbeats. For Ezekiel, life for these bones does not seem possible. They are dry, and we all know what dry feels like. Dry is when you are finding no career path in your 20 s, struggling to get pregnant in your 30 s, feeling distant from your spouse in your 40 s, losing your job in your 50 s, worrying about retirement in your 60 s, and suffering the death of your spouse in your 70 s. Mortal, can these bones live? It doesn't seem possible. The bones are so dry. But the prophet knows that nothing is impossible with God. "O LORD God," he says, "you know." You know resurrecttion. So God gives a command to Ezekiel, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD" (v. 4). The prophet is told to deliver the word of God to the dry bones scattered across the valley, because this word has the power to create something new, to bring life to the dead.

2 Since the beginning of time, God's word has shown creative, life-giving power. In the first chapter of Genesis, God says, "Let there be light," and there is light (Genesis 1:3). Through the prophet Isaiah, God promises that "my word... shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that for which I purpose" (Isaiah 55:11). "In the beginning was the word," says the gospel of John, "and the word was with God, and the word was God... All things came into being through him" (1:1, 3). But we sometimes overlook the power of the word of God in a world so full of empty, meaningless, or untrustworthy words. Ezekiel is willing to trust the word of God. In the middle of his own dry, dusty, lifeless experience in exile, he's willing to put his faith in the God who says to the bones, "I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. (v. 5). God promises to cause breath (the word means spirit) to enter the bones. God puts it into us so that we can live. Ezekiel trusts God's breath-spirit and speaks God's word. As he prophesied to the bones, he reports, "suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone" (v. 7). Through the power of God, the bones begin to "shake, rattle and roll." But that's not all. Sinews, flesh and skin suddenly appear on the bones, and they begin to look like living beings. All they lack is the breath of life -- God's breath-spirit. And so Ezekiel prophesies to the breath, and "the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude" (vv. 8-10). Shake, Rattle and Roll. Much more than a song, it's a sign that God is always raising us to new life. Peace, Pastor Wes Please pray for the following who have been submitted to our prayer list: Ron Seiler, Jena Parker, Lezlie Evel, Jace Montel, Dick Mai, Annie Jo Green, Jim Kolpin, Christopher Annis, Chelbi Holt, James Farley, Ed Dorn, Ruth Wickham, Don Stahla, Courtney Taylor, and Robin. Please remember that names are kept on our prayer list for three weeks, and then removed. If you would like for someone to be kept on for longer than three weeks, please let Vickie know. Thanks to the Don Jensen memorial account for the new red globe for the eternity candle! Thank You! Thank you to all members of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer who provided soups, meats, cheeses, crackers, rolls, breads, veggies, and desserts for the Lenten soup suppers held on March 15 and 29. Thank you also to those who set up for the suppers and to those who cleaned up afterwards. All of you are greatly appreciated! Thank you! 2

3 Discernment not Democracy I don t know about your dinner table when you grew up, but around my parent s dinner table politics was a regular part of the conversation. We would all voice opinions, discuss the latest events and headlines of the day. Invariably one of us four boys would say something that wasn t well thought out (okay, downright dumb, but I m trying to be nice). And we would defend our opinion with the oft repeated quip, we live in a democracy and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Then my father would remind us that we do NOT live in democracy but a republic and our government is based on representative form of government and NOT majority rule or popular opinion. Okay, Okay Dad. We get it. WOW! Dad you just ruined my argument. Of course dad was right when it comes to our U.S government as we have seen in our recent presidential election. Let s run the numbers in case you haven t seen them million Americans were eligible to vote. I do not know how many are actually registered to vote. Only 60% of those folks voted (138.8 million people) million (48%) voted for Clinton million (46%) voted for Trump. Which means 27.2% of all eligible voters in America voted for the guy living in the White House. Simple conclusion - nobody got a majority of anything. And the person who won just happened to have the right number of votes in the right places. We have heard all sorts of ideas, complaints and defenses of the political process since then. But our government continued to flow from one leader to the next. Simple lesson from the simple conclusion; the majority does not rule. And having the most votes does not rule. This is not the first time in American history this has happened. Now turn the page to church governing. Often times in the church we have the idea that one or both of these forms of governing are how we conduct business. The truth is, neither a pure democracy nor a representative government is in our church constitution. In fact a representative form of government is not any part of the Synod or Churchwide governing practice. I am sure this comes as a shock to most of us. But it is outlined in section C12.04 through C12.13 of the constitution. The Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of the congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the ELCA. That is it in a nutshell; general oversight in accordance with God s Word. So being on church council is not an exercise in democracy or gathering opinions or being a representative of a certain group of people in the congregation. Rather, it is the spiritual task of discerning God s will according to the Word of God. The Constitution also outlines the duties of being on council as the following (edited): Lead congregation is mission Seek to involve all members in worship, learning, mission Oversee administration of congregation Maintain supportive relationships Be examples individually and corporately of style of life and ministry of all baptized Promote congregational climate of peace Arrange for pastoral service during sickness Emphasize partnership with ELCA Recommend use of ELCA resources Seek out qualified persons to prepare for ministry. To say it in cliché form, it is about Discernment not Democracy. To my way of thinking discernment is much more demanding that gathering opinions. In fact, it calls on all of us to be in prayer, reading the Word, talking with one another. So we must be talking with one another, but our conversation is focused around our vision and mission. It is about what God is calling us to do and be in this place. Our talk is about building each other up, reaching out to others who need Christ and his love. It is about one anothering with and for others. Which drives us back to our Community Covenant, which is all about One Anothering. Pastor Wes 3

4 2017 Lenten Schedule LCOR and Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Brush are joining together this Lenten season in sharing soup suppers, worship, and fellowship. The remainder of our services are: Wednesday, April 5, Soup Supper at 6:00 p.m., Service at 6:30 p.m. - Bethlehem Thursday, April 13, Maundy Thursday Service, 7:00 p.m. - LCOR Friday, April 14, Good Friday Service, 7:00 p.m. - LCOR (We will not have soup suppers on Maundy Thursday, or Good Friday.) Holy Week Breakfast & Meditation Schedule Breakfast will be served at 6:30 a.m. at the following locations: April 10 - Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer April 11 United Methodist Church April 12 St. Charles Episcopal Church April 13 Christ Congregational Church April 14 United Presbyterian Church On April 14 lunch will be served at noon at First Christian Church. The choir members from First Christian Church, Christ Congregational Church, and Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer will perform the Easter cantata, For the Sake of Love on Sunday, April 2 at our 8:30 a.m. worship service. This cantata will also be performed twice on Palm Sunday, April 9, at First Christian Church at 9:00 a.m., and Christ Congregational Church at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome, please join us! 4

5 Celebrate Easter! Worship service April 16 at 8:30 a.m. He is risen! Easter breakfast will begin following our 8:30 a.m. worship service. We will serve up French toast and cinnamon rolls, along with eggs, sausage, fruit, Dutch oven desserts, coffee and juice. Free will donations will be accepted. Plan on beginning your Easter celebration by enjoying a delicious breakfast in the fellowship hall. We are looking forward to preparing Easter breakfast for our church family and friends! Please join us for our Easter egg hunt to be held at 9:45 Easter morning. Open to kids of all ages! 5

6 Easter Lilies Thanks for providing Easter lilies to beautify our sanctuary! You may take them home after our Easter worship service. Duane & Shelly Bristol in memory of LeRoy & Barbara Baumgartner Scot & Carri Brown in memory of Jim, Betty, and Debbie Brown Betty Dahl - in memory of D.J. Dahl Gary & Carol Foos in memory of Robert Hutcheson and Jean Schwindt Gary & Cindy Jensen, Marge Jensen, Donna McDaniel, Lee Jensen in memory of Don Jensen and Courtney Jensen Ardyce Johnson in memory of Roy & Craig Johnson Bob & Dottie Lorensen in memory of Paul Lorensen Barbara Mai to the Glory of God Duane & Elsie Menken to the Glory of God Dick & Melissa Ruppel in memory of Joann Ruppel, and Art & Greg Zepnak; in honor of the Ruppel family; and to the Glory of God Ron & Kay Seiler in memory of Louis & Viola Kaiser, and Lester & Martha Seiler Don & Vicki Stahla in memory of Robin, Joe, John, Dorothy, George, Fern, and Carl Opportunity Knocks Will You Answer the Call? Our Evangelism Committee offers great opportunities for reaching out to new members, newcomers to the community, and participating in the spiritual care of the congregation. We are always open to new members. Please consider involving yourself in this committee. 6

7 WELCA Coordinating Council will meet on April 3 at 3:30 p.m. Lydia Circle will meet with Naomi Circle on April 10 at 1:00 p.m., Betty, hostess. Sewing Day is April 20 at 9:30 a.m. Our circles are a great way to get to know other women in the congregation while growing in your faith through conversation and study! Do you enjoy the smell of a fresh room or the sight of a clean house and grounds? We do! To get LCOR looking clean and new, we are asking that you come join us on Saturday, April 8 at 9:00 a.m. The more people who participate, the more projects we can tackle. Children can help too! A delicious lunch will be provided. Let s make our building shine! You are cordially invited to our WELCA Spring Salad Supper Monday, April 24 6:00 p.m. Radloff Hall Please bring a salad and join us for a fun evening! 7

8 by Ardyce Johnson Always By My Side by Jim Nantz with Eli Spielman Three time national sportscaster of the year Jim Nantz tells the behind-the-scenes stories of some of the most dramatic moments in American sports while paying tribute to the man who inspired him to pursue his broadcasting dream his beloved father, who has fallen victim to the ravages of Alzheimer s disease. Poignant stories that explore the theme of fathers and sons who have bonded through a common love of sports complete this sparkling narrative, and turns every day into Father s Day. In Chicken Soup for the Woman s Soul you will find inspiration, joy, and comfort in the special messages found in chapters on love, living your dreams, overcoming obstacles, marriage, motherhood, aging, bridging the generations, attitude, self-esteem, and higher wisdom. There are cartoons and poems to add sparkle and light up the spirits of women everywhere. Lasting Friendship Skills is 32 lessons for young Christians. Friendship skills rooted in Christ include listening, expressing personal needs, solving problems so everyone wins, understanding unique personality characteristics, and modeling positive values. Faith begins in baptism when God makes us His children and unites us to other believers in Him. A wonderful resource book! Summer worship time will be at 9:00 a.m. From June 4 through July 16 we ll gather at Bethlehem Lutheran Church; and from July 23 through September 3 we ll worship at LCOR. We ll have a Sunday evening worship service at the other church. Look for further information on other services throughout the summer. June 25 Refugee Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church July 23 Sundae Sunday Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July from 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Rummage Sale August 4 5; set up will begin on Sunday, July 30 and continue through the week prior to the sale. Please bring your donations of clothing, furniture, shoes, tools, etc. to the church between the middle of May and Thursday, August 3. Two Sunday school rooms in the hallway will be labeled for your donations. Thank you! August 6 Rockies Faith Day August Bluegrass concert and worship 8

9 Treasurer s Financial Report Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer Financial Report Giving Goal for 2017 $104, February 2017 General Fund General Fund Weekly Need $ 2, Balance Forward $ 3, Year to Date Need 17, Total Receipts 6, Offering Received Year to Date 15, Total Disbursements (6,712.03) Surplus (Deficit) to Budget $ (1,648.17) Balance End of Month $ 3, General Fund & Savings Account Savings Account Year to Date Cash Receipts $ 16, Balance Forward $60, Year to Date Cash Disbursements (18,547.03) Total Receipts 6.96 Surplus (Deficit) $ (2,263.74) Total Disbursements -- Balance End of Month $60, LUTHERAN CHURCH OF OUR REDEEMER SAVINGS ACCOUNT WITH MORGAN FEDERAL BANK FUNDS BREAKDOWN AS OF MEMORIAL FUND $ 4, ANNIVERSARY FUND $ BUILDING EMERGENCY FUND $ 5, BALANCE OF CHURCH MUTUAL INS PROCEEDS* $ 29, PARISH NURSES FUND $ PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY $ TEAM GARDEN $ SUNDAY SCHOOL/VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL $ GENERAL FUND (INCL. INTEREST EARNED) $ 26, TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE (Checking & Savings) $ 63, *CHURCH MUTUAL INSURANCE PROCEEDS TOTALED $50, AND HAS CAPITAL EXPENDITURES OF $20, SUBTRACTED FROM THAT FUND. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO GUTTERS, FACIA, CHURCH PARKING LOT, AND THE BOILER SYSTEM. The Tabernacle Experience is set for May 5 14 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Fliers are available on the table in the narthex. If you would like to volunteer to help, contact Ann Stivers at

10 April Daily Readings The foundational premise of this set of daily readings is their relationship to the Sunday lectionary. The readings are chosen so that the days leading up to Sunday prepare for the Sunday readings. The days flowing out from Sunday reflect upon the Sunday readings. April 1 Psalm 130 Ezekiel 36:8-15 Luke 24:44-53 April 2 Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 April 3 Psalm Kings 17:17-24 Acts 20:7-12 April 4 Psalm Kings 4:18-37 Ephesians 2:1-10 April 5 Psalm 143 Jeremiah 32:1-9, Matthew 22:23-33 April 6 Psalm 31: Samuel 16:11-13 Philippians 1:1-11 April 7 Psalm 31:9-16 Job 13:13-19 Philippians 1:21-30 April 8 Psalm 31:9-16 Lamentations 3:55-66 Mark 10:32-34 April 9 Matthew 21:1-11 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66 April 10, 2017 Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 36:5-11 Hebrews 9:11-15 John 12:1-11 April 11 Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 71: Corinthians 1:18-31 John 12:20-36 April 12 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 70 Hebrews 12:1-3 John 13:21-32 April 13 Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] Psalm 116:1-2, Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 April 14 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16-25 John 18:1-19:42 April 15 Genesis 1:1-2:4a Creation Response: Psalm 136:1-9, April 16 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, Colossians 3:1-4 Matthew 28:1-10 April 17 Psalm 118:1-2, Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 Colossians 3: April 18 Psalm 118:1-2, Exodus 15:1-18 Colossians 3:12-17 April 19 Psalm 118:1-2, Joshua 3:1-17 Matthew 28:1-10 April 20 Psalm 16 Song of Solomon 2:8-15 Colossians 4:2-5 April 21 Psalm 16 Song of Solomon 5:9-6:3 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 April 22 Psalm 16 Song of Solomon 8:6-7 John 20:11-20 April 23 Acts 2:14a, Psalm 16 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 April 24 Psalm 114 Judges 6: Corinthians 15:12-20 April 25 Psalm 114 Jonah 1: Corinthians 15:19-28 April 26 Psalm 114 Jonah 2:1-10 Matthew 12:38-42 April 27 Psalm 116:1-4, Isaiah 25:1-5 1 Peter 1:8b-12 April 28 Psalm 116:1-4, Isaiah 26:1-4 1 Peter 1:13-16 April 29 Psalm 116:1-4, Isaiah 25:6-9 Luke 14:12-14 April 30 Acts 2:14a, Psalm 116:1-4, Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35

11 Lector April 2: April 9: April 16: April 23: April 30: N/A Rockie Ernst Joyce Dunbar Terresa Lauck Katie Barron Communion Assistants April 2: April 9: April 16: April 23: Karen Crews Bob Dorn Joyce Dunbar Amber Lauck Acolytes April 2: April 9: April 16: April 23: April 30: Ushers/Greeters April 2: April 9: April 16: April 23: April 30: Ashlynn Ruppel Cody Gerken Stefanie Liston Wyatt Ruppel Kristen Frasco Fellowship Hosts Lauck Family Don & Vicki Stahla Bob & Margie Dorn Wickham Family Barron Family April 2: Joyce Dunbar April 9: Karen Liston April 13 & 14: Betty Dahl/Evelyn Cleary April 16: Easter Breakfast April 23: Elsie Menken April 30: Carol Foos Council Steward Brad Wickham Happy Birthday To: Marvin Rosten Isaac Ward Rick Mai Dianne Parker Lloyd Crews Warren Parker Leonard Steinke Karen Liston Vickie Hoffman Charlie Lauck Margie Dorn Wanda Rosten Kaitlyn & Madison Kral Erich Dorn Happy Anniversary To: Len & Nita Steinke Scot & Carri Brown Harold & Delette Woodward Bread Bakers April 2, 9, 13 Diane Nicklas We thank all those who offer their gifts in leading worship this month. 11

12 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:30 a.m. Worship/Cantata 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 5 th Sunday in Lent (purple) 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Palm Sunday (Purple) 8:30 a.m. Worship Easter Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt Blood Pressure Screening Easter Day (white) :30 p.m. WELCA Co-Council 10 6:30 a.m. Breakfast & Meditation at LCOR 1:00 p.m. Lydia Circle, Betty Dahl, hostess 17 1:00 p.m. Evangelism Committee 4 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry 11 6:30 a.m. Breakfast & Meditation at United Methodist Church 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry 18 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:00 p.m. Simple Supper 6:30 p.m. Lenten service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church :30 a.m. Breakfast & Meditation at St. Charles Episcopal Church 5:30 p.m. Worship & Music Committee 6:00 p.m. Confirmation 7:30 p.m. Congregation Council :00 a.m. Spring Clean Up :30 a.m. Breakfast & Meditation at Christ Congregational Church 7:00 p.m. Service at LCOR 9:30 a.m. Sewing Day 20 6:30 a.m. Breakfast & Meditation at Presbyterian Church Noon Meal at First Christian Church 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service at LCOR :30 a.m.christian Ed Committee 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Stewardship Committee Building & Grounds Committee 2 nd Sunday of Easter (white) 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Intergenerational Sunday School Worship & Music Committee 3 rd Sunday of Easter (white) 30 6:00 p.m. WELCA Spring Salad Supper :00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:00 p.m. Confirmation 26 7:15 p.m. Joint Council Meeting at LCOR Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Tuesday morning & Thursday at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer Fridays where needed 12

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14 Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer 1100 W. Platte Ave. Ft. Morgan, CO (970) ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer exists to learn, teach, and proclaim the Word of God, and to nurture one another in the Christian faith in order to create a worship family; serve our community; and build the kingdom of God. 14