Shepherds Song - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

the
Shepherds’ Song
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
3990 N. 112th Avenue, Holland, Michigan 49424
616.772.4075 • Fax 616.772.6615 • [email protected]
June 2016
Pastor’s Page
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As he predicted his death and warned the disciples of what
was to come, Jesus, in John’s Gospel, said,
“Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the
world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will
turn into joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain,
because her hour has come. But when her child is born,
she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy
of having brought a human being into the world. So you
have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts
will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
What was about to happen to Jesus and to the disciples
would be horrible, unimaginable, and traumatic, but Jesus
wanted the disciples to know that even in the most troubling
of circumstances – his own crucifixion – God would be at
work to bring about something good. Just like a woman
experiences labor pains before the birth of her child, the
disciples would experience pain and suffering before God
could bring salvation to the world.
Despite the disciples’ inability to understand Jesus’
teachings, despite the Pharisees posturing and bullying,
despite the sinfulness of a fallen humanity, Jesus endured
great suffering on the cross for the sake of all. Even in the
most dismal of circumstances God finds a way to work for
the transformation of the world, for the benefit of all people,
for his Kingdom’s coming into the world.
God is at work in this place, too – though we don’t know
where God is leading us or what the outcome will be. There
are some difficulties within this church – some challenges
and struggles – many have named them, others simply have
a gut feeling that something is wrong, others may try to stay
above the fray and pay little attention to the squabbles that
exist. But I implore you not to be afraid to have hard
conversations, to speak the truth in love, and to challenge
any preconceived notions that might keep us from loving
one another as Christ has first loved us. I will continue to
hold this congregation in prayer as I move on from this place
– I invite you to pray for one another. Pray especially for
those whom you don’t understand, for those who have
different ideas from you, for those who cause you the most
anxiety. Pray for each other and pray for the church – that
God’s will might be done, that Jesus would be at the heart of
every decision and every activity, that you might find a way
to share God’s love for the sake of the world.
I thank you for the many lessons you have taught me, for the
hospitality you have shown to me and my family, and the
many blessed God-moments that we have had together.
In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Christin
In Our Prayers in May…
• Godspeed for Gunnard & Violet Kyllonen on their
move to the U.P.
• Comfort for Chris Martinson & family on the death
of Chris’s father; for Lynda Parrott & family on the
death of Lynda’s mom, Carol Johnson; and for
Lois Robinson & family on the death of Lois’s
husband, Jerry.
• Healing/peace: Karen Blank, Al Caldecourt (Brian
Dunlap’s uncle), Erica Fitzpatrick, Rich Foster,
Peter Gijsaelars, Joy Johnson (Nancy Morrison’s
mother), Cathy Kelly, Bob Lutz, Phoumaly
Manikham, Benjamin Martinson, Susan Meyer
(Alice Ort’s mother), Bob Pantano, Brian Preisler,
Barb Rizzio and family, Jerry Robinson, Bishop
Satterlee, Sally Schmelter, Peter Vasilenko (Pastor
Christin’s dad), Dawn Wendt (Violet Kyllonen’s
neighbor), Bonita Zielke.
• Assisted living/nursing home/homebound: Ruth
Bergan (relative of Corinne Becker), Flo
Skoglund. • For healthy pregnancies: Christina (Becker)
Drake, Carissa (Becker) Gorman.
• Serving our country: Joshua Anair (Wendts’
grandson), Alec Lamb-Venecia (Joan Lamb’s
grandson), Torrey Ollermann (Carol & Craig’s
son), Kyle Wolff (Jerry’s son).
• Prayer partner: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church,
Rose City; Ascension Lutheran Church, Saginaw;
Faith Lutheran Church, Saginaw; Resurrection
Lutheran Church, Saginaw
If you have a prayer request, please contact the
church office or write your request on a piece of
paper and drop it in the offering.
Council & Committees
Council Member of the Month:
Marilynn Judith Wickens
Favorite color: God’s original first & best – GREEN (also as in GO GREEN)
Favorite food: Asparagus
Favorite movie: oooh, that’s hard… so many good ones. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Favorite music/singer/band: Billy Holiday (or James Taylor…;-)
Gary & Marilynn Wickens
Favorite book: Besides the Bible, THE PROMISE by Chaim Potok
Proudest Moment: Embracing the connectedness of my spiritual and temporal life.
Favorite Bible Verse: Micah 6:8 “ And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your (my) God.”
Why I joined council: I felt called to serve because I’d never been asked to participate in anything this important.
What I love most about Good Shepherd: That our people love to give to fulfill the Lord’s commands.
A Ministry I would love to see at GSLC: Expansion of our social issues forums to the community at large.
Committee Night
Monday, June 13, 6:30 pm
The theme for this month's Committee Night is Beach Party.
Snacks will be provided by the Staff Support Committee.
All committee minutes and proposals need to be submitted in
writing to the church office by Thursday, June 16th, at noon.
Church Council:
Bryan Blank
(616) 212-0657; [email protected]
Bret D’Agostino (616) 395-5558; [email protected]
Rob DeHaan
(616) 610-5445; [email protected]
Dylana Eisaman (847) 544-9769; [email protected]
Jon Hurt
(231) 206-7226; [email protected]
Brian Underhill (616) 292-7194; [email protected]
Julia Wentz
(630) 267-7687; [email protected]
Marilynn Wickens
(616) 394-9592; [email protected]
Dennis Willaman (616) 335-2447; [email protected]
Synod Assembly
Reflections of the 2016 Synod Assembly: For the Life of the World
If you’re wondering what Synod Assembly was like, for me it was a lot like professional development
workshops I’ve attended before, with big keynote addresses, smaller break-out sessions, and lots of
shared meals to get to know some of our brothers and sisters in Christ. What made it different from
your average workshop is the addition of worship, including a very powerful service for peace
throughout the nations, beautifully sung by Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper, and the baptism of Pastor
Justin’s little boy on the last day.
As you may know from the Social Issues forums, I’m continually learning more about the ELCA as a whole
and I continue to be pleased and impressed with what I find out. My two biggest take-aways about the
Mitten Synod of the ELCA were these:
MISSION
Bishop Satterlee reminded us that we are the bread
that feeds the world, and therefore we are called to
give ourselves away, adding that “God doesn’t seem to
be blessing churches only looking out for themselves.”
We celebrated congregations that have been around
for over 60 years, who were reaching out to the
communities around them by providing food banks,
clothing banks, and even lending space to a local
boxing club. We listened to Pastor Monica of Salem
Lutheran Church in Flint describe her congregation’s
work to provide clean water to as many families as
possible, and how their members routinely deliver
bottled water to those who cannot come to the
church to pick it up during this ongoing crisis.
Bishop Eaton provided a video message and prompted us to think “What is different about your
community because your church is?” The area of land that any given church is on could have been used
to be a school, or a farm, or anything else, so what good is it that it is a church? Elliott and I certainly
saw evidence of churches with very concrete answers to this question, and I think that we as a
congregation could really reflect on this question and strive to make our impact more robust.
ADVOCACY
Passion for mission, such as we found, leads to advocacy. Sometimes I think people shy away from
advocacy because they think that “separation of church and state” means “don’t talk about politics in
church.” But this is markedly untrue. There were a lot of calls toward political advocacy during the
Assembly, from Pastor Monica, from the people presenting with Samaritas, from the camp staff of Living
Waters Ministries. The ELCA even has a website to help citizens “work through political channels on
behalf of the following biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and
concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease,” and live out the “Lutheran
belief that governments can help advance the common good.” Find out more at www.elca.org/OurWork/Publicly-Engaged-Church/Advocacy
If you’d like to know more about what synod was like, please talk to me or Elliott sometime. It was a
meaningful experience! And if you are interested in attending in the future, please talk to a member of
Council.
In Christ’s Peace,
Dylana Eisaman
Fun & Fellowship
Rustic Camping with the Wolffs (not wolves)
Friday - Sunday, July 8-10
Jerry and Julie Wolff would like to invite you to come
camping at their property in Hesperia July 8-10. There
is plenty of space for tents and/or campers. Amenities
include fresh well water, outhouse, campfire, and lots
of outdoor fellowship. Not into camping? Come on out
for the day! Contact Jerry or Julie at 566-6251 or
[email protected]
It's Picnic Pops Time!
Thursday July 21
Rock musicians join the Grand Rapids
Symphony for a night of Freddie Mercury
hits with the music of Queen. Hear hit
songs like Bohemian Rhapsody,
Somebody to Love, Another One Bites the
Dust and more. Get ready, because they
will rock you! Sign up by June 19 and we
will order tickets. The quantity
determines the rate we can get but they
will be $15 or less. Money will be
collected when we know the exact price.
Contact Mike or Vicki Russell for more
info ([email protected] or 796-8606).
Bring a blanket or chairs and your own
picnic and beverages. We’ll carpool from
the commuter lot at Chicago Drive and
112th, near Walgreen’s, at 5:00 or drive
on your own and meet us at Cannonsburg
Ski area. Our rain date is July 22 but your
tickets will also be good for July 28 or 29. Bryan Blank is planning an outing to
Fifth Third Ballpark July 9th to watch
the Whitecaps take on the Fort Wayne
TinCaps, with fireworks following the
game. Watch for more info to come!
Life in the Body
Book Group
The Good Shepherd Book Group is taking a break for the
summer. Copies of the book for our September discussion
will be available in August. If you have any questions about
our book group please contact Vicki Russell
([email protected] or 796-8606).
Social Issues Forum
This month’s Social Issues Forums will focus on the Death
Penalty. Join us at 6:00 pm on June 1 and 15 as we tackle
another controversial topic. Feel free to bring your dinner.
Calling all New Members and Graduates!
Our worship service on June 12th will be a jam-packed
celebration as we welcome new members and send our
graduates off into the world with God's blessing! If you
would like to join GSLC and HAVE NOT taken the new
members course, please talk with Pastor Christin asap. If you
have a child who is graduating high school this year, please
let the church office know and plan on being there on June
12th!
Farewell & Godspeed
June 19 is Pastor Christin's last Sunday. We will have a
farewell and godspeed during the service. We will also bless
the youth and volunteers and send them off on their mission
trip!
Vacation Bible School
Birthdays:
June 3: Gordy Haskin, Carolyn Willaman
June 5: Gunnard Kyllonen
June 6: Bob Lutz
June 7: Mason French
June 15: Jim Dyke
June 17: David Anderson
June 19: Barb Mann
June 23: Rob Parrott, Ken Kelly
June 25: Meggan McCaughan
June 28: Perry Pearson
June 29: Elliot Hardy
Anniversaries:
June 4: Steve & Terry Grossman
June 12: Rob & Kelly Sauer
June 15: Julie & Jerry Wolff
June 18: Don & Kathy Burmeister
June 21: Stan & Debbie Kleinjans
June 25: Bryan & Karen Blank
June 26: Dave & Sharon Wendt
June 29: Jeff & Julie Hardy
We have been unable to find a coordinator for VBS this year. If you feel like God is calling you to this type of leadership
PLEASE let a council member know!
Meet the Missionaries
L to R: Rachel, Simeon, Adeline, Michael, Zach
Wednesday, June 8, 6:00 pm
Last year we had such a wonderful evening
visiting with Pastor Michael & Rachel
Ludwig and they’re coming back! Join us for
a taco supper at 6:00 pm, June 8th, followed
by a presentation highlighting their work in
Niger, West Africa. Michael & Rachel’s
children are Adeline (6), Simeon (4), and
Zach (4) -- they are in the process of adopting
Zach from an orphanage in Niger. You won’t
want to miss this event! Please help us
surround this young and committed family
with food and fellowship.
Stewardship
Noisy Offering
The Noisy Offering for June & July is
designated for Nestlings Diaper Bank.
Nestlings operates similar to a food bank
by serving as a central location to collect, store,
and distribute diapers to Social Service agencies
working with those in need. Nestlings purpose
is to make a difference in the lives of local low
income families by efficiently providing diapers
to as many babies as possible through our
partnerships with Shelters, Food Pantries, Local
Church Programs and Social Service
Organizations.
Gift Card Success
The Tapestry Women
of the ELCA raised
$500 with their
Countryside
Greenhouse Gift Card
sale. Thank you for
your continued support
of this ministry!
Stewardship Quote of the Month:
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
- Pablo Picasso
Help Wanted
We are looking for some volunteers to
add to our list of “Servants of the Day”
for Sunday mornings. If you’d like to
take a turn reading lessons, assisting
with communion or leading worship,
please contact the church office.
The Measure of Our Love
Operating Fund Contributions through April
Operating Fund Expenses through April
Mortgage Fund in Savings as of April 30
Noisy Offering - GSLC Family
Mortgage Fund Gifts in April
World Hunger
Average Sunday Worship Attendance in April:
$49,182.54
$48,441.02
$20,207.99
$407.05
$1,515.00
$100.00
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SERVANTS OF THE DAY: LEADERS AND HELPERS FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP
Date
June 5
June 12
June 19
June 26
Worship Leader
Brian Underhill
Julie Hardy
Carolyn Willaman
Deb Ludwig
Communion Assistants
Mike & Vicki Russell
Som Vixayphone & Tessa Hurt
Julie & Jerry Wolff
Ellie Buggeln &
Bread Plate
Usher
Usher
Usher
Usher
Reader(s)
Brian Underhill II
Annika Pearson
Sharon Wendt
Tom Ludwig
Ushers
Don B. & Dennis W.
Elliott E. & Brian U.
Mike R. & Brandon W.
Bob L. & Andy R.
Nursery
Perry P. & Heather C.
Alice O. & Jeff H.
Stephanie R. & Jon H.
Jessica U. & Lisa P.
Communion Set-up
Deb Ludwig
Carol Ollermann
Barb Mann
Barb Mann
Bread Baker
Rob Parrott
none
Elizabeth Rohrer
none
Good Shepherd
JUNE 2016
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Lutheran Church, ELCA
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
3
2
4
Office Closed
6:00 pm
Social Issues Forum
3rd Sunday
after Pentecost
5
6
7
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Emanuel Asamblea
de Dios
6:30 pm
Cub Scouts
8
9
10
11
Office Closed
10:00 am Worship
w/Holy Communion
11:15 am Coffee
2:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
4th Sunday
after Pentecost12
10:00 am Quilting
7:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
13
14
6:30 pm
Cub Scouts
15
16
Welcome, New
Members &
Congratulations,
Grads!
10:00 am Worship
w/Holy Communion
11:15 am Coffee
2:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
5th Sunday
after Pentecost19
17
Office Closed
10:00 am Quilting
6:30 pm
Committee Night
20
7:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
21
6:00 pm
Social Issues Forum
6:30 pm
Cub Scouts
22
23
24
Farewell & Godspeed
Office Closed
10:00 am Worship
w/Holy Communion
11:15 am Coffee
2:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
6th Sunday
after Pentecost26
10:00 am Worship
w/Holy Communion
11:15 am Coffee
2:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
18
10:00 am Quilting
6:30 pm
Church Council
7:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
27
28
6:30 pm
Cub Scouts
29
30
10:00 am Quilting
11:00 am
Community Kitchen
7:00 pm Emanuel
Asamblea de Dios
6:30 pm
Cub Scouts
25
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
corner Quincy & 112th, two miles east of US 31
Holland Township
Quincy
Lakewood Blvd.
104th
B
James
112th
31
120th
136th
Riley
NORTH
Sunday schedule
Worship & Celebration • 10:00 am
Coffee & Conversation • 11:15 am
Sunday School (September - May) • 11:15 am
Visit our web site at
www.goodshepherdhollandmi.com
e-mail to [email protected]
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
3990 N. 112th Avenue
Holland, MI 49424