WHAT S THE BUZZ? April 16, 2017 EASTER SUNDAY RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD

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1 The CHIMES MUHLENBERG: A WELLSPRING OF GRACE Muhlenberg Lutheran Church strives to be a Wellspring of God s Grace in Jesus Christ. Open Authentic Relational Serving Published Weekly by Muhlenberg Lutheran Church 281 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia Phone: address: info@muhlenberglutheran.org Website: Pastor Brett Davis: davis@muhlenberglutheran.org Pastor Bob Humphrey: humphrey@muhlenberglutheran.org April 16, 2017 EASTER SUNDAY RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD WHAT S THE BUZZ? Make sure you didn't park in a numbered space (in the lot on the corner of Ott & Water Streets). Church parking is not permitted there and we don t want you to be towed! See p. 9 for additional parking info. We are so glad you're here for worship today! If you're visiting, we hope you'll return as often as you're able. See the box below at right - fill in a blue card found in the pew. If you'd like to learn more about our congregation or membership, indicate it on the blue card or contact one of the pastors - we'd love to welcome you! This weekly newsletter is filled with upcoming events, ways to serve, various groups, and information about our congregation. Take it home with you to read and see how you would like to become involved. The Chimes is also available on our website. During the Easter season, we will offer Wednesday Holy Communion at 6:30 pm and small groups with the pastors at 7 pm. See p. 3 for details. TODAY AT MUHLENBERG EASTER SUNDAY Easter Sunday is the highest festival of the church year. Our worship celebrates with grand music, lilies that symbolize the resurrection, the paschal candle lit near the font, and the joyous return of the Alleluia, which is not used during Lent. Easter invites you to consider: Where do you need new life? How are you different this Easter than last? What does the Easter story make you wonder? How does the Easter story put the rest of scripture in perspective? WELCOME GUESTS We are blessed to welcome our guests today. We have a gift waiting for you at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Area (main church entrance) and ask that you complete a blue guest card and/or sign our guest register. If you prefer, you may scan this QR code or visit us at to securely register online.

2 3 TODAY AT MUHLENBERG (CONT D) NO FORMATION CLASSES OR CHILDREN S CHURCH TODAY Due to the special Easter activities planned, there are NO classes TODAY. EASTER EGG HUNT At 9:30, children age 2-5 th grade will start in the sanctuary. After the Pastor s message, children will go to the MAC (building behind the church) for the activities planned! We will also have a special story and craft time. WORSHIP ASSISTANTS NEEDED You're here for worship - why not take a turn and serve? We are always in need of all types of servants in worship - lectors, ushers, acolytes, communion assistants, greeters, etc. Sign up for the month of May in the notebook at the Connection Center! One-onone training can be arranged just indicate the training needed on the sign-up sheet or contact Kathy Thompson ( or thompskb@ jmu.edu). Prefer to work behind the scenes? We have many opportunities talk with Kathy to learn how you can serve. In addition to signing up in the book at the Connection Center, we also offer an online option through a link on our website. Follow the path below: Worship + Community > Worship: What to Expect > Worship + Music Leadership TIME, TALENT & TREASURE LAST WEEK S ATTENDANCE 8:00 Worship 90 Wed. noon 13 9:30 Worship :00 Worship 183 Total 460 MINISTRY OF THE WEEK: FINANCE This space will feature one committee each week. Updates and highlights are provided so we may learn more about them and their work. Join us Ministries Night (2 nd Monday each month) to learn more. Finance is currently looking through the internal audit findings from last year and making recommendations to Congregation Council based on the hard work of the audit team. Before we know it, we will begin preparations for next year's spending plan. If you have questions about the work of Finance, contact Chair Matt Phillippi at mrphillippi@outlook.com or FINANCIAL REPORT Through March 2017 Y-T-D Actual Y-T-D Budget Y-T-D Last Year Gifts & Offerings $171,947 $190,933 $171,568 Total Receipts $202,720 $222,579 $193,413 Expenses $217,887 $238,465 $219,525 Excess Income/ (Expenses) $(15,167) $(15,886) $(26,112) Giving in support of our Spending Plan: $ 8, Giving to Other Designated Funds: $ 2, Total Giving for the Week $ 11, April Thrivent Choice Dollars: $60 To give online, scan here 2

3 THIS WEEK AT MUHLENBERG CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED The church office will be closed tomorrow, Easter Monday, April 17. GO-GO GROUP BREAKFAST (55+) Tuesday, April 18, 8:30 am at Thomas House in Dayton. Contact Dan Werner at for more information. CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEETING Due to the Easter Monday holiday, Council has rescheduled their April meeting to Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30. WEDNESDAY EVENING HOLY COMMUNION During the Easter season, we will offer a 30- minute Holy Communion service on Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30 pm in the back portion of the worship space. MICAH 6:8 GROUP RESUMES All are welcome to join Pastor Bob beginning THIS Wednesday, April 19 at 7 pm in the Campus Room (downstairs). This group, centered on the scripture verse Micah 6:8 and its invitation to do justice, love kindness, walk humbly, reflects and organizes around faithful justice and advocacy issues. Friends and nonmembers welcome in this open, dynamic group. ANIMATE: BIBLE Our Bible study series with Pastor Brett will continue this week in the Nielsen Room THIS Wednesday nights (7ish-8:30), THIS Thursday mornings (9-10:30), or online if you can t make either time. Second Home's 3 rd annual Superhero 5K Run/Walk is Sat., April 22 at Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Registration begins at 8:30 am; the run starts at 9:00. Run or walk, wear your superhero costume or just be you either way, you will be a hero for kids and support this amazing ministry. Register at or call Second Home Development Director Judith Shuey at as soon as possible. SECOND HOME FOOD COLLECTION Second Home s food collection will take place NEXT Sunday, April 23. We will collect peach cups in juice or water. Want to help but prefer to make a cash donation? Designate Second Home food on your offering. EASTER VISIT/CAROLING Our members who find it hard to get to church really appreciate being remembered at Easter. Even if you feel you can't sing, come join small groups to bring Easter joy and your smile NEXT Sunday, April 23 beginning with lunch at 12:15 in Wayland Hall (downstairs). Sign up at the Connection Center so we know how many to expect for lunch. 3

4 MARK YOUR CALENDAR PHOTO DIRECTORY Mark your calendar for April 30. Have you missed out on getting your photo taken for the directory? Here's some Good News! Meet Mycah or one of our photographers downstairs in the Gathering Area before or after worship on Sunday April 30, or arrange a specific time during the week to have a picture taken. SECOND HOME NEWS FAITH IN ACTION CELEBRATION Sunday, May 7, 3:00 pm at Asbury United Methodist Church, please join Faith in Action (FIA) in a celebration of the success of its first year of work in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham community. In 2016, through FIA's influence and support, Harrisonburg joined the Welcoming America Network and created a Council to serve as a platform for local justice issues for our immigrant neighbors. Accomplishing this goal was possible only through the vision, faith, and persistence of covenant congregations like Muhlenberg. Contact Nancy Martin-Finks (nanmart777@ comcast.net/ ) or Russell Presnell (russellepresnell@gmail.com/ ) for more information. Stay tuned for details about FIA's plans and goals for A MESSAGE FROM SECOND HOME What do Easter, Little Orphan Annie, and Second Home have in common? HOPE. To Christians, Easter gives hope of eternal life. Annie never gave up hope of having a family, even through many years of struggle at Miss Hannigan s orphanage. Every school day, Second Home gives dozens of children hope for homework assistance, a nutritious snack, fun with friends, and the care of nurturing teachers and staff. On this Easter Day, everyone at Second Home thanks you for supporting last week s production of Annie Kids. Your generosity in props, extra cleaning, baked goods, help with the food table, and program copying and editing is appreciated. Thank you too just for attending the play and supporting the wonderful children who shared their talents with us. Appreciation goes as well to all of you at Muhlenberg for the ongoing support, in so many ways, that comes to us every day. Second Home simply would not be here without you. Everyone at Second Home appreciates all your gifts, daily and on special occasions, and your prayers as we spread hope to all those we serve. 4

5 MUHLENBERG NEWS COMFORT MAKING PROJECT ENDS Comfort makers completed another successful season, creating warm bedding for people who need it. Thank you to the folks who bought 15 comforts while on display the Sunday they were blessed. Funds will provide batting. There were 18 ladies involved in the project with an average attendance of 11 to 13 each week. Ice and snow did not disrupt the work this winter, so we put in 12 days, making more than 150 comforts. Distributions are being made to First Step, Christian Aid Ministry, Mercy House, Trinity Clothes Closet, this year s Muhlenberg high school seniors, Salvation Army, Refugee Resettlement, and Gemeinschaft House. For more information about the comfort making project, contact Katie Ray at LET S GET CONNECTED! Are you on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? Why not Like or Follow Muhlenberg? Get informative updates regularly throughout the week, photos, prayers, and inspirations/ devotionals. It is also a great way to let your friends know about your church and our ministry. Find us on Facebook by searching for Muhlenberg Lutheran Church, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter EVANGELISM MINISTRY UPDATE Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey from the JMU student group; it was a big help! Both student groups have now finished their research and given us preliminary results. The next step for the two teams is to draw up final presentations to deliver at the end of the spring term. RWANDAN SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT This is a note from Patrick Irakoze, our Rwandan scholarship student! Hello to you, family and especially the church as well. Here am doing good in everything and am in my short break because of two things: remembering genocide that happened in past 23 years and celebrating Easter. And let me wish a good Easter. Thanks. CREATION CARE TIP Creation Care offers a simple tip that will help you protect God s earth. Contact Ramona Sanders for more information: or Keeping your lawnmower in good working order will cut emissions by up to 50% and reduce fuel consumption by 30%. Most local hardware or home improvement stores offer lawnmower tune-up services, so schedule an appointment soon. THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS Eligible Thrivent Financial members can recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes a portion of its charitable outreach funds using a vehicle called Choice Dollars, part of the Thrivent Choice member-advised charitable grant program. If you haven t already, designate your Choice Dollars by visiting Thrivent.com/ thriventchoice or calling Thrivent at Remember, Muhlenberg is among your choices to consider. 5

6 2017 Easter Offerings and Alternative Giving Opportunities Today s lilies are given to the Glory of God and in memory or in honor of those we wish to remember on this special day. If you are a donor, you may pick up your lily after the 11:00 am service. (If you signed up and your name is not on the list, please contact Parish Administrator Linda Depoy.) Keepsake copies are available at the Connection Center EASTER LILIES DONOR IN MEMORY OF... Mac and Carole Alfriend Mac and Carole Alfriend Mac and Carole Alfriend Opal D. Davis Daille and Tom Pettit Daille and Tom Pettit Fay Voigt Kathy Holm, Scott Jost, Evan, June Chuck and Jill May Chuck and Jill May Tim, Kristy and Emma Peifer Frank and Betty Lambert Bonnie Lee Stidley Juanita Propst Steve and Ann Bird Ruby N. and Robert H. Einarsen (Carole s parents) Robert S. and Bergitte S. Einarsen (Carole s grandparents) Joan V. Einarsen Ward (Carole s cousin) William Gene Davis Doris and Elton Geist Peg and John Pettit Owen Voigt Irene Holm and Walter Jost Louise Perry Libby Clatterbuck Lillian Rasmussen Beatrice, Walter, Bud & Lew Ann & Jay, Dick, Hazel & George Stidley Richard Propst 6

7 EASTER LILIES (CONTINUED) DONOR IN MEMORY OF... Ron and Sue Williams Joe and Diana Enedy Jim Reilly Darcy and Jeff Tyrrell Robert, Dana, Sam and Kaiti Crittenden Wendy Arbogast John Derrick Holly Haney Dennis and Darlene Baugh Cheryl Hinkle Elizabeth Reilly Michael Ruckle Emmett R. Sr. and Virginia G. Gleason Beatrice and Malcolm Simmons Carol and Lois Derrick Phil Kolvoord (father-in-law) Virgil, Evelyn & Neil Piltingsrud Bill and Gretchen Baugh DONOR IN HONOR OF... Daille and Tom Pettit Our 50 th Wedding Anniversary Bonnie Lee Stidley Steve and Ann Bird Ron and Sue Williams Robert, Dana, Sam and Kaiti Crittenden Holly Haney Helen (sister) and her family John and Mary Crittenden Bill Haney (father) (See Special Offerings on next page) 7

8 SPECIAL OFFERINGS Special offerings to Second Home and Rwanda School are given to the Glory of God and in memory or in honor of those we wish to remember on this special day. SECOND HOME DONOR IN MEMORY OF... Phyllis Sonner Ray Sonner Glenn and Linda Morison Our Parents Terry, Linda and Rion Looney Thelma Maxwell (Linda s Mom) Patty and Fred Sensabaugh Our Parents Wendy Arbogast Fred and Florence Arbogast DONOR IN HONOR OF... Susan Gallaher Sylvia Hollen Kathy Thompson Our Pastors and Office Staff Bruce and Karen Matthias Steve and Ann Bird Barbara J. Daniel Zachary and Mary Daniel RWANDA SCHOOL DONOR IN MEMORY OF... Daille Pettit Gregg Geist Tom Pettit John M. Pettit Terry, Linda and Rion Looney Richard and Louise Looney (Terry s parents) Sandy Brzozowski Ted Brzozowski Wendy Arbogast Gina Arbogast DONOR IN HONOR OF... Patty and Fred Sensabaugh Children and Grandchildren Steve and Ann Bird Bruce and Karen Matthias 8

9 REMINDERS PARKING ALERT! If you park in a numbered space at the lot on the corner of Ott and Water Streets (behind the MAC), your car may be towed! That lot is leased by Urban Exchange, which rents the spaces to tenants. No other vehicles are permitted. You may park in the sister lot with unnumbered spaces closer to the church (beside the white house) for worship services and weekday church activities after 5 pm. Additionally on Sundays, you may park in the Farm Credit lot across E. Market St. or the law office Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver lot between W. Water Street & Newman Avenue. PARKING COURTESY From young families juggling little ones to older members to others in between, there are many folks whose lives could be made a little easier or safer by parking closer to the church entrances. While we have a few designated handicapped parking spots, on Sunday morning those can be full. Let's be hospitable to each other and visitors who might simply be helped by a closer space. If you usually park closer, maybe take a spot a little further back so those that need it may have a safer spot. Thank you for your consideration. CONTACTING OUR PASTORS Reach our pastors at any time by calling the church office ( ). Ask to speak with Linda Depoy during office hours. After hours, leave a message on their voice mail and it will be forwarded to their respective mobile phones at that time. They will respond as soon as possible. MISSED WORSHIP LAST WEEK? If you miss worship one Sunday, chances are you feel a bit out of the loop. Extra copies of The Chimes, worship booklets and sermons are available on the credenza in the administrative hallway. Stop by and catch up on what you ve been missing. Additionally, you can get sermons and The Chimes each week from our website, RESERVING ALTAR FLOWERS The 2017 chart is available in the sign-up book at the Connection Center in the Gathering Area. Reserve your special dates! We offer the opportunity for two families to sign up each week and request payment ($25/vase) at the time of sign up. We will send reminders as needed. Thanks for your cooperation. COMMUNITY NEWS While The Chimes is primarily for Muhlenberg ministry events, be sure to check bulletin boards for community news. Bulletin boards are located downstairs in the Gathering Area, close to the back entrance of the church, and in the administrative hallway. BUILDING USE REQUESTS To schedule space or change building use arrangements, contact coordinator Loretta Harris: request: buildinguse@muhlenberg lutheran.org Leave a message via building use voic ( ). Complete a request form (located beside the church mailboxes). Return completed forms to the building use mailbox. Requests are reviewed weekly and will be answered as soon as possible. 9

10 SUMMER ACTIVITIES SUMMER OF SERVICE Intergenerational Program Sundays, June 4 August 27 We have had wonderful success with our Intergenerational Summer Sunday school program the last two summers, so we are going to offer it again this year. If you know of a local agency that you would like to have us learn more about, please contact Diane Bayer ( or bayer@muhlenberglutheran.org) with agency name and contact person deadline TODAY. MUHLENBERG CAMP WEEK July 9-14 Do you enjoy being outside in the sun playing games, hiking, singing, swimming? What about sitting outside on a beautiful summer evening looking at the stars, enjoying a fire and toasting marshmallows? If you said yes to any of these things, you will want to be part of the Muhlenberg week at camp. We hope a lot of Muhlenberg kids will attend camp together. The theme for camp this year is EXPLORE, from the passage When you pass through the waters I will be with you Isaiah 43:2. Come and explore how we grow to know and love God deeper: through God s word, service to others, worship, fellowship with other Christians and exploring God s beautiful creation. Campers are children who are rising 1 st graders rising 12 th graders. Visit the Connection Center for details. You can register online by going to: VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL KINGDOM STORIES Come and join the fun at VBS 2017! Date: SATURDAY, JUNE 24 Time: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm Place: the MAC Who: children 3 years old to 5 th grade (6 th -12 th graders are asked to be helpers) Mark your calendars and get ready for a DAY of fun as we explore faith together! Registration forms will soon be available in the Gathering Area. Contact Diane Bayer at or bayer@muhlenberglutheran.org if you are interested in helping with this fun, faith-forming event. 10

11 YOUTH & CAMPUS NEWS Contact Pastor Brett Davis at or for more information. COLLEGE STUDENTS Are you a current college student? We'd love to connect with you and connect you to each other! Pastor Brett (address above) so she has your contact info! ALPHA TEENS (GRADES 6-8) There is a new youth binder in the Gathering Area which contains up-to-date schedules, registration forms/info, and various info for upcoming events. Go to the tab for Alpha Teens, or you can always check the schedule online at muhlenberglutheran.org/youthministry.html. We're getting registered for the Junior High Servant Event this summer, July 23-28, in Virginia Beach. It's an amazing week of handson service, fun, and worship, joining with other youth from around Virginia. The cost is just $60 for the whole week! Info in the youth binder; register online. JCREW (GRADES 9-12) There is a new youth binder in the Gathering Area which contains up-to-date schedules, registration forms/info, and various info for upcoming events. Go to the tab for JCrew, and you can find info for: Youth Assembly (June 9-11, must be an approved representative.), Kairos (rising 9 th -12 th graders; June 25-30), Launch (July 9-13, seniors graduating this year), and our Brooklyn mission trip (July 16-21). You can always check the schedule online - muhlenberglutheran.org/ youth-ministry.html. CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS Contact Christian Formation Minister Diane Bayer at or bayer@muhlenberglutheran.org for more information. SHARING GOD S WORD Classes will resume next week in designated locations at 9:30. Children should be picked up immediately following the 9:30 liturgy. Children s church is at 11:00 for children 3-7 years old (held in the Nielsen Room). For more information, pick up a green Christian Formation brochure from the Connection Center in the Gathering Area. ADULT CLASS FOCUS In 2009, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a social statement on women and justice. It sat dormant until 2012 when the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ began its work and is charged with the responsibility to lead this process. The range of issues the task force will explore remains openended since there are many issues that affect individuals, congregations, communities and society. During this phase of the process, the task force is encouraging groups to use the study, Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement, engage in conversation around the study's seven modules, and submit responses and feedback by Aug. 31, Christ-Coffee-Conversation-Connecting is an adult class that has elected to take on this project. We meet Sundays at 9:30 am in the Augsburg Room. All those who are interested in letting the ELCA know what Muhlenberg thinks are invited to attend! 11

12 JOYS, THANKS & CONCERNS This is the space for sharing joys, thanks, and concerns of our congregation, our synod, and the wider church. Please lift these up as a part of your daily prayers. To share joy, thanks, or concern (e.g. birth, illness, injury, or death of an immediate family member; thank-you and congratulatory notes, etc.) contact Parish Administrator Linda Depoy at or depoy@muhlenberglutheran.org. Submissions will be printed with consideration for space and appropriateness at the discretion of the pastors & editor. The JAMers (elementary youth) thank those who participated in the collection for Lutheran World Relief. Kids put together 75 kits with extra supplies to make almost another 50 kits. Many will be blessed thanks to your generous support. Working together using our hands to do God s work, we can make a difference in the lives of our sisters and brothers around the world. Thanks to all the volunteers who participated in our Property workday on April 8. All of you are very much appreciated for your hard work. Together we accomplished a great deal. John & Chris I would like to thank the congregation for their support during the illness and passing of my mother, Ethel Revercomb. I would especially like to thank Pastors Bob and Brett for their kind visits and prayers and for the beautiful funeral service they conducted for her. Jeff Revercomb Pick up the latest edition of our Who We Are brochure at the Connection Center today! It includes details about Muhlenberg s ministry, ideas about how you can serve, and a contact list to easily reach Congregation Council members, staff and committee chairs. DAILY DEVOTIONS PRAYING OUR FAITH TOGETHER! For individual and family use. Scripture citations taken from ELW s 3-Year Daily Lectionary, p , (Year A). Mon. Col. 3:5-11 Thu. Col. 4:2-5 Tue. Col. 3:12-17 Fri. 1 Cor.:1-11 Wed. Matt. 28:1-10 Sat. John 20:11-20 Sun. John 20:19-21 In the Name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. WEEKLY CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS Mon. April Easter Monday Church Office Closed Tue. 8:30 am Go-Go Group Breakfast 6:30 pm Celebration Singers 6:30 pm Congregation Council Mtg. 7:00 pm Gloria Dei Ringers Wed. 7:30 am Before Work Bible Study 12 noon Holy Communion 6:30 pm Holy Communion 7:00 pm Micah 6:8 7:00 pm Animate: Bible No children s or Sanctuary Choir rehearsal Thu. 9:00 am Animate: pbible Sat. 8:30 am Superhero 5K Walk/Run Sun. 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Holy Communion Second Home Food Collection 12:15 Easter Visit/Caroling The weekly deadline for routine articles for The Chimes is Thursday at 8 am. Requests for a series, inserts or full-column articles should be made two weeks in advance. Submit information to Linda Depoy (depoy@muhlenberg lutheran.org/ ). Additionally, requests to utilize space in the Gathering Area on Sunday or post information at the Connection Center should be made to Linda as soon as planned, but no later than Thursdays at 8 am. Check bulletin boards for community information. Like us at facebook.com/muhlenberglutheran 12