Lake Oconee Lutheran Church A Stephen Ministry Congregation Our vision is to become an expanding community of faith, growing in the Holy Spirit and practicing before the world a Christ-centered life. Lord willing, we will do this with Outreach that is inviting, interesting, and inclusive; with serving the seniors of our large area and with Worship that goes beyond Sunday morning. A Monthly Newsletter April 2017 Secretary Choir Director 1089 Lake Oconee Parkway Eatonton, Georgia 31024 Church Office 706-485-4600 Deb Krahling lolcsec@plantationcable.net Art Hargrove art.hargrove@gmail.com Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. 1 st, 3 rd, & 5 th Holy Communion 2 nd & 4 th Morning Prayer Church School 9:00 a.m. Choir Practice 9:00 a.m. Visit our web site: www.lolc.info What is Easter About What is Easter About sermon excerpt Think about what happened that first Easter morning. Because of Jesus, one thief was in Paradise. Eternal death was gutted and emptied of its power for all who trust in Him. Satan and all of his angels were already informed about their utter demise. Because of Jesus, God at work, eternal life, forgiveness, and salvation were won for all, as God's pure gift of grace. In the middle of people's most difficult days, full of tears or of never-ending pain and fear, the resurrected Jesus says, "Share My words with them now, words like, 'Because I live, you will live also' or I am the resurrection and the life; though you die, yet shall you live."' Easter Resurrection Sunday is not about Easter bunnies and colored eggs. It's not about the end of winter or the freshness of spring. It's about God at work in this world for you, no matter the circumstance. It's about
real hope in the midst of hopelessness, real life in the middle of the shadows of death. It's about God's forgiveness and life where there is guilt and sin. The resurrection of Jesus makes Easter the key to a life worth living, because when God is at work for you, there is nothing to fear. EASTER MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING GREGORY SELTZ / / APRIL 24, 2011 / / THE LUTHERAN HOUR
LOLC offers Bible Study and Ministry Adult Class Corner Stephen s Ministry Bible reading centered on the Scripture Lessons of the day has resumed: Sundays 9 a.m. Weekly scheduled Scripture readers are encouraged to attend and receive a preview of their worship service reading. Watch this corner in the future. The Stephen Ministers have a guidance book focusing on Cancer [CANCER, Now What?] available for check out. The book itself and a sign out sheet reside on the book shelf across from the church secretary s desk. Please sign out the book & return it promptly after reading so others may also benefit from the readings..
The REFORMATION 500 TH ANNIVERSARY! The 500 edition last time was extremely brief about John Wycliffe. It should be said that Amazon sells his works in 12 volumes in which, inter alia, he rejected the concept of purgatory; disapproved of clerical celibacy, pilgrimages, indulgences and intervention of saints; and denounced the imperial pope but not the papacy. Luther praised Wyclliffe s work. Jan Hus ( 1369-1415) is paired with Wycliffe as a noted early reformer. He advocated translation of the Bible into the language of the people and otherwise adopted and relied on Wycliffe' s views. King Richard II of England married Anne, daughter of the King of Bohemia in 1362. Anne encouraged the exchange of scholars and influences between Hus and Hussite s at the University of Prague and Oxford with its Wycliffe history. Hus, called on to recant his following of Wycliffe, refused and was burned a heretic. Luther said of Hus: I am overwhelmed with astonishment. I cannot understand for what cause they have burnt so great a man who explained the scrip0tures with so much gravity and skill. Wycliffe and Hus ( and Luther later) opposed those practicers of the Church which were not found in scripture.
Call Committee Update We started the call process for our next pastor in February by creating a call committee. The committee includes Alan Oberdeck, Dave Heimer, Jean Steinberg, Josh Ringer, Kayleen Ringer, Linda Jorgensen, Peggy Uehlin, Susan Krause and is co-chaired by Davis Mortensen and Ed Fritch. By the end of March, the call committee had submitted the documents to formally begin the call process with the district. This documentation described our church, our beliefs and practices and the attributes we believe we need in our next pastor. On April 6, the call committee, elders and several members of our church meet with our circuit visitor, Pastor Roger Schwartz. He reviewed the call process and encouraged us to pray and be patient as the process can take a year or more before we find the pastor we need. We are currently nominating pastors for consideration as our next pastor. These nominations are for a pastor a member knows and believes would be a good pastor for our church. The nomination forms are on the round table in the sanctuary and also included in this newsletter. So far, we have 5 nominations. The deadline for submitting nomination is Sunday May 7. The nominations need to be given to Davis or Ed. These nominations will be sent to Florida/Georgia District President Greg Walton. He will review these nominations and also add others he feels could serve our church. He will then review the list to ensure the pastors are in good standing with the Missouri Synod and willing to consider a call. Sometime this summer, we should receive a list of potential pastors for the call committee to review and interview. The call committee is now developing the interview process and questions so when we do get the list of potential pastors, we will be ready to begin interviewing. Please be patient and continue to pray for our church, the call committee and our next pastor. -- Ed Fritch
Appendix C NOMINATION OF PASTORS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PASTOR OF LAKE OCONEE LUTHERAN CHURCH Eatonton, Georgia (Members of a congregation who wish to suggest names of pastors to be considered for our Call List are asked to please complete this form. When it is completed, give it to an Elder or the Chairman of the Congregation. The original of this form will be forwarded to the District President. Be sure to sign it, otherwise it will not be recognized as valid.) Having carefully and prayerfully considered the pastoral needs of our congregation, I wish to nominate the following pastor as a Candidate to be considered for a Call to our church: Name: Address: I believe he will meet our needs for the following reasons: Please state whether you know him personally, where, and for how long a time. If you do not know him personally, state the source of your information on the basis of which you are making your nomination: I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.@ (Jeremiah 23:4 NRSV) I am a member of congregation of (city), (state) Signature: EMAIL Please Print Name: This completed form is not to be transmitted electronically DUE MAY 7th
Lake Oconee Memorial Bricks One way to honor a loved one who has passed away is to commemorate them with a memorial brick. The procedure for ordering a Memorial Brick is as follows: 1. Obtain an "Order for Engraved Memorial Bricks" for the LOLC garden from either Roger Martinson or Deb Krahling in the church office. 2. Complete the form for a 4" x 8" brick which may have up to 3 lines of engraving, containing up to 20 characters, counting punctuation and spaces. 3. Each brick is $35. Orders are placed from time to time, when several requests have been received. Make your check payable to LOLC. You may order one or several bricks at a time. Give the order form & check to Roger or Deb in the church office. 4. Once the brick have been ordered & received & inspected for damages, you will be notified of their arrival and a date will be schedule with you for installment in the Memorial Garden.
Lake Oconee Lutheran Church Financial Report TREASURER NOTE: You will note the general fund giving is under budget by $11,511 but thanks to very frugal spending by our staff and chairpersons, we are in good financial shape. This report reflects that we are over budget in our spending also (by $7,481) but this is primarily due to the payout to Pastor Andy and will even itself out within a few months."
Opportunities to Serve Habitat for Humanity ReStore Two of our LOLC members, Janis & Mara Lipacis, are faithful volunteers for Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, a vital organization that does much to benefit our community. According to Janis, the Habitat Furniture ReStore affiliate is in dire need of more volunteers. Please consider that the amount of time you donate is flexible and at your convenience plus you can meet new people. In addition, the variety of things you can volunteer for is tremendous. The organization especially needs: Thursday afternoon cashiers; Mentors who give support and friendship to families selected to be homeowners and keep a record of their sweat equity hours; Friday and Saturday volunteers at the store; Construction team members; Help with pickup of donations that includes driving the truck; and A secretary to the board. Just stop at the ReStore at 1027 Lake Oconee Parkway and look around. Everyone in the store is a volunteer and always happy to share information. Help us to spread the word to anyone else friend or family who might be a willing volunteer. For even more first-hand information, talk to Janis after church or contact him at 706-484-0543. Worship Service You can become at vital part of the Sunday Worship service. Become an usher, a greeter, a communion assistant Or a reader! Contact Peggy Uehlin to sign up as reader; the church office for communion assistants and/or you can sign up yourself on designated sheets the round table.
Mites The Widow s mite of Mark 12: 41-44 is the inspiration for the LWML mite boxes. Recent mites collections: $20.25 The Ladies of the Church organize mites collections on a continuous basis. The third Sunday of each month is the official Mites Sunday after which the monies gathered go to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League to support various ministries around the world. Detailed information is available at www.lwml.org and on Facebook. The third Sunday of the month is designated Mite Sunday, but donations are always welcome. We express heartfelt thanks for your charitable generosity. Susan Larson Choir Notes Members Wanted -- Join Us Now No Auditions Warm Up and Vocal Coaching Contact: Art Hargrove 706-473-1290 Practice on Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Coffee after Church Check your calendars and sign up for a turn preparing coffee And light refreshments for Coffee Hour after service each Sunday. A sign-up sheet is on the round table at the back of the church. Recycling Projects Remember the LOLC paper recycling program to include extra copies of the weekly bulletins and other White paper products. All collected paper goes to the recycling center. We are also collecting aluminum cans for Amber Bailey, the person who does such a great job keeping our church clean.
Lutheran Laughter & Wisdom Lake Oconee Lutheran Church Church secretary, Deb Krahling Music Director, Art Hargrove lolcsec@plantationcable.net art.hargrove@gmail.com 1089 Lake Oconee Parkway Eatonton GA 30124 Phone: 706-485-4600 Website: www.lolc.info