The Evangel. From the Pastor... Justified by grace, we are a Community of Servants who follow Jesus example by living lives of service to others.

Transcription

1 The Evangel Justified by grace, we are a Community of Servants who follow Jesus example by living lives of service to others. St. Stephen Lut h eran Church August 2017 Volume, Issue From the Pastor... Inside this issue: Book Club; Birthdays & Anniversaries; Sunday Scripture Readings School Supplies for Cumberland; ELCA Notice; Care Groups Food, Fun & Fellowship; New Recycling Reformation 500 Celebration Daily Narrative Lectionary Readings Lay Minister Schedule 7 Pub Theology; Sunday School Reminder 8 The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us. This year marks the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg on October 31, One of the ways that we ll be celebrating and marking this important anniversary is with an event on Wednesday, August 9 The Stormy Monk/Fun With Luther. It s an event for the whole congregation.. all ages from youngest to oldest. We ll begin with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and follow that with a fun/educational event that includes learning about Luther s life and the early Reformation, games and prizes, and a skit starring Ben Cox as Martin Luther, Brian Yusten as Father Luther, Frieda Harris as Mother Luther, Mike Borta as Narrator and Abby Kriser as a monk. It s a great way to learn about Luther and the Reformation and join together in a fun-filled evening. I hope you ll set aside the evening of August 9 to be part of this fun event. Along the same line, another date to set aside this fall is, Reformation Sunday, October 29. In addition to our usual morning worship, you are invited to come to a joint (all the area ELCA congregations) Reformation Day Celebration at 3:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Mt Hope in Lansing. The worship will include Hal Hopson's Festival of Hymns for choir, congregation, and brass quartet. I am part of the planning team and some of our singers will be participating. It should be a wonderful way to celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. I hope you ll plan to attend. As we enter into the final month of summer, I hope you ll find time to rest, relax, and do some fun summer things. Summer, with its more relaxed schedule, is God s gift of time for renewal. Blessings, Pastor Gary - Unknown

2 Page 2 The Evangel Book Club Margaret Sheffer The book group meets Thursday, August 3rd at the Career Success Center at 5:15 pm to finish Small Great Things. Our next book is A Man Named Ove. Please Margaret Sheffer at Sheffer.1283@yahoo.com with any questions. AUGUST Anniversaries 11 Jim & Julie Dartt 14 Gary & June Hansen 15 Brian & Karen Holmes 26 Jim & Char Seifert 26 Dan & Valinda Stevens 29 Mike & Vickie Borta 31 Terry & Nancy Greiner AUGUST Birthdays 4 Abby Kriser 5 Norm Snyder Eric Wells 5 Karlante Brown 6 Wayne Lesher Christine Rykken (Bauer) 8 Cade Bucht Jordan Montgomery 10 Renee Dixon 14 Kathy Buckley 16 Margaret Sheffer Janet Ozanich 19 Gloria Kandle 21 Declan Lewis 25 Mailee Greiter 26 Char Seifert 27 Freddy Baldwin 28 Nancy Beyerhelm 29 Rebecca Bossenbroek Sunday Narrative Lectionary Readings August 6: Ephesians 6:10-20, Put on the Armor of God August 13: Psalm 46, Acts 2:37-42, Baptism August 20: Psalm 84, Romans 6:1-11, Baptism August 27: Psalm 65, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, The Lord s Supper

3 Volume, Issue Page 3 School Supplies for Cumberland During the month of August we are collecting school supplies for our friends at Cumberland Elementary. We received a $250 Action Grant from Thrivent Financial with which to supplement any supplies that we collect. Margaret Sheffer, Coordinator This year they need: black white board markers such as those made by EXPO, glue sticks, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, large Kleenex, crayons, composition notebooks ( either the black and white covers or the 3 hole spiral). Please place items in the box in the Fellowship Hall marked "Cumberland. Thank you for your support of this wonderful ministry. Come and Be a Part of the Formation of a New ELCA Social Statement The ELCA task force on Women and Justice is working to write a social statement about the state of women and the justice issues that women face. This task force has created a study to invite ELCA congregations around the country to spend some time in conversation and learning together. They will take the feedback from these congregational conversations to help in writing the final statement, which will be released in September of This is a study for both women and men as sexism affects all of us! Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos will be hosting a series of these seven studies beginning on Thursday evening, July 6, at 7:00 PM. The studies will take place for seven consecutive Thursday evenings and the topics are as follows: July 6 Intro and Definitions, Why do we need to talk together? July 13 What problems do women face, and what does justice require? July 20 How is sexism personal, and how are we the body of Christ together? July 27 What does economic sexism look like, and how can we seek equity for all? August 3 How can we address violence against women and girls? August 10 Why do words and images for God matter? August 17 How do we challenge the misuse of Scripture against women and girls? If you are interested in being a part of this conversation as we participate in the formation of a social statement, please contact Pastor Ellen Schoepf at Care Group/Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed Margie Bauer, Coordinator Because there are no Care Group Leaders for two of the groups, the following months need people to sign up for Coffee Hour: July - September - November This includes making coffee before service, bringing and setting out food after service, having a pitcher of lemonade & water available, cleaning up. This will not be necessary on the Sundays that the congregation is having a potluck, or special meal. There is a sign-up sheet on the Serve Table in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any question please don t hesitate to call Margie Bauer at She will be happy to go over any details with you. Thank you for helping with the very important ministry of hospitality.

4 Volume, Issue Page 4 Please RSVP ASAP! Food, Fun, Fellowship The Stormy Monk / Fun With Luther Wednesday, August 9, at 6:00pm This summer, rather than having our usual Vacation Bible School like we have done for years and years, we are trying something new. On Wednesday, August 9, beginning at 6:00 p.m. we are having an event for the whole congregation for all ages! In honor of the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation the event is called The Stormy Monk/Fun With Luther. We ll begin at 6:00 p.m. with a meal and then move on to the main event which includes a game, a skit starring: Ben Cox as Martin Luther, Brian Yusten as Father Luther, Frieda Harris as Mother Luther, Abby Kriser as a monk, and Mike Borta as Narrator. The evening will include prizes and learning about Luther and the Reformation. This is not an event just for children. This is for the whole congregation. Please save the date and plan to come. Depending on how this goes, we are considering more of these events for next summer. New Recycling Margaret Sheffer provided a new recycling tub in the kitchen to collect glass, plastic and cans. Please rinse all items and place in the tub for recycling and help us keep St. Stephen green.

5 Page 5 The Evangel REFORMATION 500 A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS The greater Lansing area ELCA churches are planning a celebration of the arts to commemorate the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. Scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM on the afternoon of October 29, this event will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lansing. The celebration will include a hymn festival, food, activities for kids, and art work created by ELCA members. We are encouraging artists from various ELCA congregations to submit their work so we can display it in a gallery setting at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. And, if they so desire, we are encouraging artists to consider allowing their creations to be sold, with all proceeds going to support Samaritas. If you wish to contribute an artistic rendering for this occasion, please plan to deliver your artwork to Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 28, beginning at 10:00 AM. We will be setting up the displays that morning. For more information, please contact Pastor Ellen Schoepf at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos. Phone: prellen@faithlutheranokemos.org

6 Volume, Issue Page 6 DAILY NARRATIVE LECTIONARY READINGS for August Tuesday, August 1, Ephesians 4:25 5:2, Rules for the New Life Wednesday, August 2, Ephesians 5:3-5:5, Renounce Old Ways Thursday, August 3, Ephesians 5:6-14, Renounce Old Ways Friday, August 4, Ephesians 5:15-20, Renounce Old Ways Saturday, August 5, Ephesians 5:21-24, The Christian Household Sunday, August 6, Ephesians 6:10-20, Put on the Armor of God Monday, August 7, Ephesians 5:25-29, The Christian Household Tuesday, August 8, Ephesians 5:30-33, The Christian Household Wednesday, August 9, Ephesians 6:1-4, Children and Parents Thursday, August 10, Ephesians 6:5-9, Slaves and Masters Friday, August 11, Ephesians 6:21-22, Closing Saturday, August 12, Ephesians 6:23-24, Blessing Sunday, August 13, Psalm 46, Acts 2:37-42, Baptism Monday, August 14, Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus Commissions the Disciples Tuesday, August 15, Mark 16:14-18, Jesus Commissions the Disciples Wednesday, August 16, John 1:29-34, The Lamb of God Thursday, August 17, Acts 8:26-40, Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch Friday, August 18, Acts 9:1-19, The Conversion of Saul Saturday, August 19, Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas in Prison Sunday, August 20, Psalm 84, Romans 6:1-11, Baptism Monday, August 21, Romans 8:12-17, Heirs with Christ Tuesday, August 22, Galatians 4:1-7, Heirs with Christ Wednesday, August 23, Titus 3:1-8, Heirs with Christ Thursday, August 24, Genesis 1:1 2:4, Created in God s Image Friday, August 25, Psalm 8 Saturday, August 26, Psalm 139 Sunday, August 27, Psalm 65, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, The Lord s Supper Monday, August 28, Matthew 26:17-25, Passover Feast Tuesday, August 29, Matthew 26:26-30, Institution of Lord s Supper Wednesday, August 30, John 6:22-40, Bread from Heaven Thursday, August 31, John 6:41-51, Bread from Heaven The Narrative Lectionary readings will also be listed in each Sunday s announcements, posted on the St. Stephen website ( and found in the online version of The Evangel.

7 Page 7 The Evangel LAY MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST Council Meeting Tuesday, August 15 7:00 pm Staff Members Gary A. Bunge, Pastor Renee Dixon, Office Manager Rebecca Bossenbroek, Director of Worship St. Stephen Lutheran Church 2900 North Waverly Road, Lansing, MI Phone: Fax: office@ststephenonline.org Website: StStephenOnline.org Worship: Sundays at 10:00 am Sunday School Class: Sundays at 9:00 am (Sept May) Bible Study: Sundays 9:00-9:50 am Church Office Hours: Monday Friday, 9:00 am 1:00 pm garybunge@sbcglobal.net office@ststephenonline.org rebeccabossenbroek@comcast.net Council Members Jackie Williams-Armstrong, President Renee Dixon, Recording Secretary Luke Bunge, Treasurer Don Sheffer, Facility Development Team Leader Rebecca Bossenbroek, Financial Development Margie Bauer, Leadership Development Team Leader Cindy Jenks, WELCOME Ministry Development Julie Dartt, NOURISH Ministry Development Claudia Cameron, SERVE Ministry Development jacquelynwa@gmail.com office@ststephenonline.org lukebunge14@gmail.com sheffer.1283@gmail.com rebeccabossenbroek@comcast.net mtpbauer@att.net nanajenks@gmail.com juliedartt@gmail.com cameronw6216@sbcglobal.net AUG 6 AUG 13 AUG 20 AUG 27 ALTAR FLOWERS ***Available*** Carlos & Judy Vallin ***Available*** ***Available*** ASSISTING MINISTERS Mike Borta Miriam Bunge John V Soske Paulette Piirainen (Paulette Piirainen ) USHERS Bob & Claudia Cindy Jenks Robert & Naida Terry Greiner (Terry Greiner, ) Cameron Schelter (Ken Bauer, ) ALTAR CARE (Claudia Cameron ) COFFEE HOUR ***Volunteers Needed*** OFFERING COUNTERS Rebecca Bossenbroek Rebecca Bossenbroek Camerons, June Hansen Rebecca Bossenbroek Ruth Gaudard, June Hansen Ruth Gaudard Rebecca Bossenbroek Jackie Williams-Armstrong Jackie Williams-Armstrong Jackie Williams-Armstrong

8 St. Step hen Lut her an Chur ch 2900 N. Waverly Rd. Lansing, MI Phone: Fax: Website: StStephenOnline.org OR CURRENT OCCUPANT Pub Theology The Pub Theology Life Group will not meet in July, but the August dates have been set. The first will be on Thursday, August 10th (7 p.m.) at the home of Jacquelyn Williams-Armstrong and Jerry Armstrong. The second will be on Thursday, August 24th at the home of Don and Margaret Sheffer. Come join us for some informal conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. Beer, conversation, and God! Sunday School Reminder Looking ahead: Sunday School for Kindergarten Grade 12 will start September 10!!