Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 PASTOR: Rev. Marty Singleterry Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church CHURCH COUNCIL: Carolyn Olson, President (575) LaVelta Jenkins, Vice President (575) March, Volume 56 #03 Chris McCraw, Secretary (575) Susan Knight, Treasurer (575) Dianna Hutchison, Financial Secretary (575) Kate Hanson (575) Gib Tafoya (575) MINISTRY TEAMS: * = Council Liaison Bold = Chairperson Christian Education Cindy Anderson Laura Dhenin Diana Hutchison Chris McCraw * Jean Vinka Finance & Stewardship Dianna Hutchison LaVelta Jenkins Susan Knight* Paul Thompson Property David Hanson Kate Hanson* Carolyn Olson Paul Thompson Service, Unity & Witness Dianna Hutchison* Susan Howard Gib Tafoya Valda Tafoya Jean Vinka Worship & Music Kay Gunning Dawn Hanson Carolyn Olson* Linda Servold Toni Thompson STAFF: Choir Director: Organist and Keyboard: Assistant Musicians: Office Secretary Website Editor The CONTACT Linda Servold Linda Servold Carolyn Olson Jill Thompson Laura Dhenin Laura Dhenin Laura Dhenin Refugee Sunday, February 26, Guest speaker: Denis Dhenin BIRTHDAYS: Reilly Salness 3-1 Paul Thompson 3-9 Paula Sisler 3-14 Bill Festing 3-16 Judy Solt 3-28 Jerry Rosencrans 3-30 Don t forget. Daylight Saving Time begins March 12. Be sure to set you clocks AHEAD one hour! If we have inadvertently omitted anyone, please contact Laura Dhenin in the church office. Thank you!

2 Page 2 Wednesday, March 1: Mark Your Calendars! Dates to Remember: 7:00 pm: Ash Wednesday Worship with and Imposition of Ashes Sunday, March 5: After Worship: Special Congregational Mtg. March Birthdays Cake Reception * Food Drive for Jonah s House Wednesday, March 8: 6:00 pm: Lenten Soup-Supper & 7:00 pm: Choir Practice Wednesday, March 15: 6:00 pm: Lenten Soup-Supper & 7:00 pm: Choir Practice Friday, March 17: 6:00 pm: St. Patrick s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner (Youth Fundraiser) Wednesday, March 22: 6:00 pm: Lenten Soup-Supper & 7:00 pm: Choir Practice Wednesday, March 29: 6:00 pm: Lenten Soup-Supper & 7:00 pm: Choir Practice Birthday Reception: March 5 - After Worship Join us after worship as we honor all those celebrating birthdays this month. Ash Wednesday Worship with Imposition of Ashes and March 1, :00 pm Special Congregation Meeting Sunday, March 5 Immediately after worship We will discus and vote on the sale of the back property. Lenten Soup Supper s & Join us at 6:00 pm every Wednesday for Fellowship and reflection. St. Patrick s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner (Youth Fundraiser) Friday, March 17 6:00 pm Please come help support our Youth/ Confirmation Class raise money for camp! Your free-will donation is requested. All are welcome - invite your friends!

3 Page 3 Tax Season is here! Tax Help New Mexico is a free Income Tax preparation service offered to people whose household income does not exceed $57,000, or those who are 65 years or older. will be open through Monday, April 17 Hours: Monday & Thursday: 6:00-9:00 pm and Saturday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm* *The site will be closed Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15 in observance of Holy Week Children s Lenten Focus Please help support our children as they collect money to fill the barnyard with animals from the ELCA Good Gifts catalog. Each child will be presented with a special coin collection box. All are welcome to make a special offering to their ELCA Good Gifts project. Thank you for supporting the St. Peter Tax Help New Mexico site! Saturday Snacks for : On the Saturdays that our Tax site is open we offer lunch snacks for the BUSY tax preparers and snacks for waiting clients. If you are interested in helping provide snacks, please see LaVelta Jenkins. Lift Up Your Voices! The Choir will begin meeting for weekly practice Wednesday, March 8 at 7:00 pm. New members WELCOME! *ELCA Good Gifts is part of ELCA World Hunger. ELCA World Hunger responds to the root causes of hunger with work in 60 countries around the world, including the United States. Cornerstones of this work include hunger education, advocacy, and projects focused on agriculture, livestock, water, health care and job training to help people lift themselves out of hunger and poverty for the longterm. Board Position Open: Jonah s House Food Pantry Jonah s House is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, working to provide food to those in need within our community. They are looking for some new blood to help revitalize their organization. If you would like more information or interested in sitting on this Board, please contact Mary at

4 Page 4 Roman Catholic & Lutheran Prayer Services mark Reformation 500 years Food Drive for Jonah s House Sunday March 5 Jonah's House in in need of canned goods and other non-perishable food items. PLEASE Remember to bring your items to church the first Sunday of each month. Packs for Hunger Update: Sock Drive Packs for Hunger is now feeding OVER 200 Carlsbad-area children PER WEEK and they desperately need your HELP. Please consider making a monetary or food donation. Lists of suggested food items and a collection container are in the Narthex. Donations of (new) socks and undergarments for boys and girls, pre-k-12th grade can be made throughout the year by placing them in the Packs for Hunger collection container in the Narthex. Can Tabs for Ronald McDonald House: We are collecting aluminum soda can tabs for Ronald McDonald House. A collection container is in the Narthex. Roman Catholics and Lutherans are joining together in prayer 500 years after Martin Luther s 95 theses triggered the Reformation in A Service of Common Prayer is taking place in conjunction with seven Roman Catholic Diocese. Bishop Jim Gonia will be present at all seven locations. The liturgy will highlight the agreements that have been reached through fifty years of dialogue between Catholics and Lutherans on topics such as the Church, Ministry, and the Eucharist. The Common Prayer is structured around the themes of thanksgiving, repentance, and commitment to common witness. The aim is to express the gifts of the Reformation and ask forgiveness for the division perpetuated by Christians from the two traditions. Sunday, March 12, 2017, 3 p.m. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, CO Sunday, March 19, 2017, 3 p.m. Bethany Lutheran Church Denver, CO Sunday, April 2, 2017, 3 p.m. Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Las Cruces, NM Saturday, April 22, 2017, 1 p.m. Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Casper, WY Sunday, May 21, 2017, 3 p.m. Pueblo, CO Sunday, October 8, 2017, 3 p.m. Salt Lake City, UT

5 Page 5 Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, El Paso TX Border Immersion Week ~ Saturday April 29 to Friday, May 5 Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey is having a 6-day border immersion experience from Saturday, April 29 in the afternoon through the afternoon of Friday, May 5. It is open to individuals and small groups interested in participating in mission alongside the Cristo Rey community and experiencing immigration and the border through a human-centered, faith-based approach. Cost is $420 for the week, which includes 6 meals and all transportation after arrival in El Paso. Come look past the headlines and join us in community and relationship. For more information, borderimmersion@gmail.com or visit their website. Equip, Educate, Enact - Fiscal Wellness Coach The Lilly Endowment initiative for addressing economic challenges of our rostered ministers will utilize the skills of ten Fiscal Wellness Coaches positioned around the Rocky Mountain Synod. Coaches may be either lay or rostered, and will receive training and ongoing support to help facilitate conversations, help leaders choose appropriate educational opportunities, and encourage the financial health of the rostered minister and congregation. The coach has an opportunity to change lives. See the position description here and consider if this is a way you might serve. Stories from around the globe ELCA Global Links is a monthly newsletter featuring news and stories from ELCA Global Mission and the ways we are engaged as a global church. A great resource for Global Mission Committees or church administrators looking for stories to share in your newsletter! Subscribe to global links View current edition Live Webcast: stewardcast 2017 Saturday March 4, :30 am - 12:00 pm (CST). Where are the bright spots for stewardship ministry in your church? Recognizing the bright spots reminds us where God s abundance is present. Across the ELCA there are many bright spots, and we want to share some of them with you through stewardcast Featured presentations: Stewards of God s Varied Grace - Bishop Andy Taylor, ELCA Pacifica Synod Live and Give Generously - Rev. Taryn Montgomery, Minot, ND If Stewardship is Boring, Something s Missing - Rev. Greg Meyer, Minneapolis, MN Growing Giving Online - Richard Bauer, Minneapolis, MN. Rev. Melinda Wagner, Portland, OR Nurturing Generosity in the Home - Ms. Linda Staats, Phoenix, AZ Join us for this special online event at: on Broadcasting live from the Lutheran Center

6 Page 6 Madagascar: Connecting with our RMS Companion Synods An important aspect of this year s Rocky Mountain Synod call to Re Formation w as the recent 2017 Bishops Trip to Madagascar. This trip, intended to highlight the global dimension of our life as Lutheran Christians, included bishops and delegations from the four ELCA synods that have companion synod relationships with the Malagasy Lutheran Church. Those representing the Rocky Mountain Synod included Bishop Jim Gonia, Vice President Earline Bohling, Deacon Erin Power (Assistant to the Bishop for Synodical Life) and Pastor Brad Doty (St. Philip, Littleton CO and chair of the Companion Synod Committee). The four synodical delegations were joined by three ELCA Churchwide colleagues, Rev. Themba Mkhabela (Regional Representative for West/Central Africa and Madagascar), Ms. Dana Dutcher (Manager for Companion Relationships in Asia, West/Central Africa and Madagascar) and Rev. Kirsten Laderach (Coordinator for the Madagascar Program of ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission). This trip included several significant moments in our life together as companion churches: Delegations from all four ELCA synods who are companions with Malagasy synods met together in Madagascar for the first time. (Top photo below) Members of the ELCA delegation met together with both FLM President Dr. David Rakotonirina and the new national church leadership. (2nd photo) For the first time ever, all 5 synod bishops (4 Malagasy presidents and Bishop Gonia) met together for a consultation to share about ministry in their contexts, and plans for the 500th Anniversary. The consultation took place at Betela Seminary, the regional seminary for the northern synods of Madagascar. (3rd photo) Leaders in all four companion synods expressed deep appreciation for the ongoing relationship with the ELCA in general and the Rocky Mountain Synod specifically. In two of the synods, reference was made to the way in which ELCA missionaries helped shaped the church s story in this region. The distinctions in our cultural contexts were noted, although it was agreed that our unity in Christ supersedes our differences. From the Malagasy perspective, we truly are church better together. Visit the Rocky Mountain Synod Facebook page for many more photos and stories. Learn more about the ELCA's global ministry by

7 Page 7 It s not what we do By Elizabeth A. Eaton At the end of the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to John, many disciples who had been following Jesus left him. Looking at the 12, Jesus asked, Will you also go away? Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:66-68). It was a kind of crisis at the beginning of the Jesus movement. Jesus had been teaching about the gracious gift of life that comes from the Father through Christ. People were amazed by the multiplication of the loaves and fish and all of the talk about the bread of life. They wanted to know what they had to do to be doing the works of God. Jesus answer, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent (John 6:29), didn t sit well the crowd. I suspect that the most fervent among them wanted marching orders and the more careful wanted a checklist to make sure they were on track. Questions in Scripture are fascinating: they are often more revealing than the answers. What do we do? Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? (Matthew 19 :16). The people in John and the young man in Matthew wanted to know not only what they could do to save themselves, but to be assured that it was indeed in their power to save themselves. We don t ask different questions today. When it comes to the great metaphysical questions we ask, How do I know? How am I sure? It s a hard thing to believe that it s God s good and gracious will that all be saved from death, and since we can t save ourselves, God has done it through Jesus death and resurrection. It s not what we do or even about that which we are certain, but what God has done, and God s faithful and sure promise. In a recent survey of ELCA Lutherans, Kenneth Inskeep, director for research and evaluation, asked the question: What must you do to be saved? Fifty percent answered: Do good works. Fifty percent of Lutherans. At least half of us admit that, deep down, we believe it s still up to us. Let s not beat ourselves up this isn t a Lutheran phenomenon, this is not an American phenomenon, this is not a 21st-century phenomenon it s a human phenomenon. We either disbelieve for joy or don t want to give up control. This is precisely why we need well-trained confessional, scriptural, theological, liturgical, compassionate pastors and deacons: to keep us pointed to Jesus, to the law, to the cross, to the resurrection and away from the world s siren song of self-help, selfdetermination and self-righteousness. And this is precisely why we need confessional, scriptural, theological, liturgical, compassionate laypeople: so we fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching or God s word, but instead keep that word holy and gladly hear and learn it (Martin Luther s Small Catechism). Two major initiatives requested by the ELCA Church Council and informed by your input have come to the same conclusion. The Theological Education Advisory Council and the Called Forward Together in Christ process both lifted up the importance of well-formed lay, consecrated and ordained leadership. We must keep the saving gospel of judgment and promise as our foundation and future. This is the work of the entire church. It s not up to the seminaries to identify and recruit pastors and deacons, nor is it the exclusive province of the ordained and consecrated to be grounded in the word. Start looking at fourth- and fifth graders in your congregation. Support church camps, Lutheran campus ministries, and Lutheran colleges, universities and seminaries. Encourage Young Adults in Global Mission. We ve received a $3 million gift to the ELCA Fund for Leaders, which will provide full tuition scholarships for up to 60 additional students over the next three years. This is just one part of a multifaceted leadership initiative that we are launching now. When people ask how the ELCA can be relevant, I answer: only if we are sure that our hope is in the living Christ and only if we share that with the joy of the gospel. 50 FEBRUARY 2017 This column originally appeared in Living Lutheran s February issue. Reprinted with permission.

8 Page 8 Give it up for Lent! Throughout history a spiritual practice has been, and continues to be, giving something up for Lent. More recently, some have rather than giving something up added a new discipline to focus spiritual renewal. Whether you plan to "Give up" something or "take on" something, we have identified 7 different ways to consider "Giving it up" that could be the basis for conversation and a broader or more personal way to experience the act of "Giving it up." Refrain. Engage. Retreat. Sacrifice. Let Go. Thanksgiving. Accept. Refrain We can for a brief time in our life "give up" some vice or practice. Perhaps we could refrain from drinking coffee for seven weeks so we better experience the joy or energy that it gives us when we drink it again on Easter Sunday. We refrain from eating dessert or drinking alcohol or watching television. Engage Another way would be to give it up in all caps with an explanation point as in to get really excited. GIVE IT UP! Lent is here and we can as a community of believers gather together and celebrate this often somber season in the church year. It could be completely possible to CELEBRATE Lent with our whole heart while we remain quite and contemplative. Retreat What if we were to evaluate our lives and realize that we fight or resist a regiment of prayer and the use of scripture as a tool to experience our life of faith. What if we "Give up" the fight and actually spend more time in prayer or intentional relationship with God. Sacrifice Different than giving up sweets or caffeine, sometimes we take life's comforts for granted. It is more difficult but could be much more poignant to actually sacrifice so that we can better understand those without such comforts. Consider giving up" hot showers or warm blankets or your car for a time to experience the life of those less privileged? Let Go Stress can be a badge of honor as we go through our daily lives. We can with great satisfaction proclaim that life is hard and I am muscling through. Imagine rather than embracing or enduring through stressful situations actually "Giving it up" to God in prayer. Thanksgiving We live in a do-it-yourself society. We are quick to accept the credit for our successes and accomplishments. What if it became more common place to "Give up" the credit to God. Recognize daily that day to day activities are a result of God given abilities. Accept Sometimes we need to be challenged to "give up" our prejudice or bias that keep us from experiencing a broader more diverse community. However you "Give it up!" this year, be it avoiding, experiencing or retreating, we hope that these weeks leading up to the resurrection will fill your soul and guide you to "The peace that passes all understanding."

9 Page 9 BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING Each year Thrivent Financial members make an impact in their local communities through Thrivent Choice Thrivent s member-advised charitable grant program. Eligible members have the opportunity to recommend where Thrivent s charitable outreach funds go, and many choose to give back to their own congregations. Nearly $51.3 million in Choice Dollars charitable grant funds were distributed to churches and other nonprofit organizations in Growing Home, a nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of generational poverty, helped a family in need using Thrivent Choice funds: Seth, his wife, Amy, and their children were forced to live in their Jeep after their apartment was condemned. They stayed in Growing Home s emergency shelter for 60 days until they were able to get back on their feet. The very first night we were in the program, Growing Home was full of love for us, recalls Seth. My son Connor came in and told me that he had Spider-Man sheets and blankets on his bed. It was the little things that meant so much. While staying at the shelter, Seth got a new job. Seth and Amy also found an apartment, but didn t quite have enough money for the deposit and first month s rent. With funds from Thrivent Choice, Growing Home was able to step in, and provide them with what they needed to make their transition. Want to make a difference in the lives of others and live more generously? Thrivent Choice is just one of the benefits of being a Thrivent member. There are thousands of organizations you can support, including your own church. Visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to see program details and find charitable organizations to help. This article provided compliments of Thrivent Financial and Joann Rodriguez, FIC, , joann.rodriguez@thrivent.com. The Thrivent Choice charitable grant program engages Thrivent members and Thrivent Member Networks in providing grants that support charitable activities, furthering Thrivent s mission and its purposes under state law. All grants are made at the sole discretion of Thrivent. Directing Choice Dollars is subject to the program s terms and conditions available at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice A N1-17

10 1302 West Pierce Street Carlsbad NM S u n M o n T u e W e d T h u F r i S a t :00 pm: Ash Wednesday Worship 5:30-7:30 pm: Girl Scouts 9:00 am-3:00 pm: 9:15 am: Sunday School 9:15 am: Conf. Class 9:15 am: Coffee & Conversation 9:30 am: 10:30 am: Worship & 11:45 am: Special Congregational Mtg. 12:00 pm: March Birthday s Cake Reception 5 6:00 pm: Historical Society Mtg :00 pm: Service, Unity & Witness Mtg. 5:15 pm: Christian Education Mtg. 8 6:00 pm: Soup Supper & Lenten 7:00 pm: Choir Practice 9 6:30 pm: Finance & Stewardship Mtg. 6:30 pm: VBS Planning Mtg. (Carlsbad Mennonite) 10 5:30-7:30 pm: Girl Scouts 9:00 am-3:00 pm: 11 3:30-5:30 pm: Cub Scouts *Food Drive for Jonah s House 9:15 am: Sunday School 9:15 am: Coffee & Conversation 9:30 am: 10:30 am: Worship & 12:00 pm: Cong. Council Mtg. 3:30-5:30 pm: Cub Scouts :00 pm: CTHHS Inc. Board Mtg :30 pm: Worship & Music Mtg. 6:00 pm: Soup Supper & Lenten 7:00 pm: Choir Practice :00 pm: St. Patrick s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner (Youth Fundraiser) 9:00 am-3:00 pm: 18 9:15 am: Sunday School 9:15 am: Conf. Class 9:15 am: Coffee & Conversation 9:30 am: 10:30 am: Worship & 3:30-5:30 pm: Cub Scouts 9:15 am: Sunday School 9:15 am: Conf. Class 9:15 am: Coffee & Conversation 9:30 am: 10:30 am: Worship & 3:30-5:30 pm: Cub Scouts :00 pm: Soup Supper & Lenten 7:00 pm: Choir Practice Spring Break: No School, March 20 - March :00 pm: Soup Supper & Lenten 7:00 pm: Choir Practice :30-7:30 pm: Girl Scouts 5:30-7:30 pm: Girl Scouts :00 am-3:00 pm: Rev. Marty - Vacation: March 23 - March 27 Rev. Marty - Vacation: Mar

11 The Contact St. Peter Lutheran Church 1302 West Pierce Street Carlsbad NM Sunday Schedule ~ Spring ~ 9:15 am: Sunday School 9:15 am: Confirmation Class 9:15 am: Coffee & Conversation 9:30 am: 10:30 am: Worship with 11:45 am: Fellowship