May 31, 2009 - Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Transcription
May 31, 2009 - Gethsemane Lutheran Church
May 2009 Volume 42, Issue 5 The Leaf – a monthly publication of GLC Gethsemane Lutheran Church The Leaf 35 East Stanton Stanton Avenue ♦ Columbus OH 43214 ♦ 614614-885885-4319 www.gethsemane.org Senior Pastor Rev. Karen Asmus-Alsnauer [email protected] Music Ministries Lucas Weiss [email protected] Learning & Family Ministries Terri Siebert [email protected] Child Care Center Brenda Weilbacher [email protected] Outreach & Integration Integration Chris Lutz [email protected] MinistryMinistry-InIn-Context Seminarian Bob Swanson [email protected] May 31, 2009 ONE SERVICE! 10:00am Seminarian Mandy Oleson [email protected] Parish Secretary Diane Gutgesell [email protected] Custodians Bob & Cheryl Miller Global Music Sunday Dedication of the Cross Picnic potluck lunch In this Issue Wear Red Music Opportunities─P. 4 Swahili Service─P. 7 What a glorious day, and with the wind of the Summer Worship─P. 8 Vacation Bible School─P. 8 Spirit blowing through our very lives…. STAFF way that Jesus calls us to live. You will find in these pages all the opportunities to help you connect more deeply into this Easter life, but if you are like me and find it helpful to have a thumbnail of what is happening, so here’s a peek, but see the articles throughout the newsletter for the ‘rest of the story’: Practice Resurrection! By the Rev. Karen Asmus-Alsnauer In Wendell Berry’s poem, “The Mad Farmer Liberation Front,” he writes: April 26: Earth Sunday. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA Presiding Bishop, writes: “We cannot escape the interconnectedness of the earth’s fabric of life. Creation is the matrix of all our activities, both as human beings and as Christ’s church. God gives us and all creatures life through the water, air, food, and all the other gifts that come to us from the earth. Everything we do both depends on these gifts, and has some kind of impact upon them. If these gifts are treated with contempt and abused, people, animals, and plants suffer together. If they are graciously received and cherished, people will flourish with the rest of creation. The question is not whether the church will engage what our society calls environment, but how. We will worship with the theme around creation, and have an opportunity to create awareness and action of our own practices that help help/hinder our care for the earth, including a carbon footprint! ...So, friends, every day do something that won't compute. Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it. ...Ask the questions that have no answers. Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias. Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant, that you will not live to harvest. ...Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts....Practice resurrection! Practice Resurrection… Easter is a season of new life. May 3: Our church leaders passed this mission proposal for our congregation: Tanzanian Outreach: Whereas, 2008 Gethsemane Church Council identified as a goal the serving of persons of Tanzanian heritage, and whereas, Gethsemane is blessed with members of Tanzanian heritage, therefore, Gethsemane Church Council enthusiastically and prayerfully affirms and supports efforts to intentionally deepen ministry for and with these Christian brothers and sisters. How is God breathing new life into our community of faith by opening the doors of welcome and worship to For many in the U.S., winter is now giving way to spring. God's creation is alive as buds, flowers and grass, trees are popping, the sun is beginning to shine over and rain is falling, the unexpected beauty of rainbows on the horizon. Easter is a time for to share the new life that comes from Jesus with others in our communities. In the seven weeks that follow Easter Sunday, we celebrate our baptism and share in the joy that comes from God's saving grace. To practice resurrection is to put the power of Easter into our lives; it is to live in the 2 STAFF our Swahili-speaking brothers and sisters? Of course, the entire congregation is invited to come, no matter your language of origin, but be prepared to be present with your heart as well as your ears as it will be led in Swahili (except for the sermon and communion… ). Jesus is risen. Alleluia! He provides faith and opens our eyes so we can share abundant life. As Christians, we follow Jesus' example, striving for peace and justice in all the world. Get involved. Strengthen your faith. Help our community. Practice Resurrection! May 10: Pastor Leslie Fox, who is teaching Adult Forum for 3 weeks (April 26th, May 3 and 10) on the Power of Forgiveness, will also share with us through preaching at both services. How does the Easter life speak in our practice of forgiveness? How do we live a forgiving life – knowing ourselves to be forgiven, and extending that forgiveness to others? Worship includes a Blessing for Mothers on this Mother’s Day. Practice Resurrection! May 17: Tour de Revs joins us in worship! From May 13th through August 20th, three ELCA pastors will be riding a custom-made bamboo bicycle built for three to raise awareness of hunger and wellness issues. They will be in each of the 65 synods of our national church, covering over 13,000 miles on their 3-month tour. One of the pastors will serve as the preacher and teacher for the morning. Among their goals is to ….Support this church in communicating our Godgiven opportunity and responsibility to provide for those less fortunate so that all may have adequate nutrition to sustain life and wholeness. The ride will also stress the need for everyone to take personal responsibility for health and wellness. What does our new life in Jesus say about caring for one another and our own bodies? May 31: Pentecost Sunday. Global Music Sunday. Dedication of the Cross. Picnic potluck lunch. Wear Red. ONE SERVICE! 10:00! What a glorious day, and with the wind of the Spirit blowing through our very lives…. 3 STAFF Hearts unfold like flowers before thee… The Trinity Lutheran Seminary Choir By Lucas Weiss Director of Music Ministries Including a few GLC Choir Members Presents…. the Mozart Trinity Mass, K167 within the context of a Choral Evensong As I sit at my desk here in the office at Gethsemane, I am able to look out the window at the bright, new green leaves on the trees, the deep green grass, and even the bright yellow dandelions… and my mind is filled with the music and text of the first stanza of a true treasure of global hymnody, with the words exclaiming: Friday, May 1, 2009 8:00 p.m. Gloria Dei Worship Center 2199 E. Main Street, Bexley Free Parking. Freewill Offering. www.trinitylutheranseminary.org Pentecost Celebration Sunday! Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of Love! Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, praising thee, their sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the gloom of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day. Including…. Global Music Combined Early Worship & Choir Voices Gethsemane Ringers Instruments of all shapes & sizes Sunday, May 31, 2009 10:00 a.m. What a gift we all have been given through the beauty and newness of spring, and through amazing hymns and songs that assist us in expressing our joy-filled gratitude to our Creator and Sustainer! Here at Gethsemane! Invite your family and friends! Come celebrate and sing! ALCM Columbus: Cantor Connection Including GLC’s Director of Music Lucas Weiss Just as the Spring flowers are popping up, so are many wonderful opportunities for growth through worship here at Gethsemane and in other parts of our Synod! The second column of my page is devoted to the special events that you should plan to attend during the lovely month of May…. I know it is a challenge to stay inside when the weather is beautiful, but I can guarantee you, it will be worth the effort! Presents…. Paul Manz: A Life of Music, A Life of Service A Hymn Festival Celebrating Paul Manz’s 90th Birthday Sunday, May 31, 2009 7:00 p.m. Bethel Lutheran Church, 4501 Hoover Road, Grove City www.cantorconnection.org God’s music and God’s peace! 4 STAFF and teach a lesson or go on a canoe trip. All it could be is a smile and a greeting as a child walks through the door….a prayer for a good day at school….a thank you note to a youth who read scripture in church…a ‘job well done’ for a musical offering….taking a small hand and sharing the peace…. The children all around us By Terri Siebert Director of Youth & Family Ministries The Southern Ohio Synod (a collection of ELCA churches of which Gethsemane is a part) has had on its staff for the past year a director of youth and family ministry, Gary Pecuch. We are very fortunate for his active presence which is the answer to the need to nurture faith formation in our children and youth. I am privileged to serve with Gary as a member of the synod’s Youth and Family Team. How many ways can we say ‘you are important and so is your faith in God’? This summer I will be coming to you with something that will help build the faith webs of our children and youth – Prayer Buddies. We did this a few years ago when our high school youth were preparing for a national youth gathering so some of you may recall being a part of it then. Basically it is a pairing of an adult with a child or youth to share prayers and encouragement. You can so easily be a part of a child’s faith web so when the time comes for signing up as a prayer buddy, please prayerfully consider the impact that you can have on a child. Be a part of a faith web! You will most likely find that this child or youth will become a part of your own faith web (yes, adults have faith webs, too). As Gary writes on the synod webpage, “the vision is to wrap our children and youth in a web of faith from which they do not wish to escape. Meaning, having as many people of faith of all ages in our children’s ‘Faith Web’ as possible.” Visualize a spider web. The spider has spun its intricate design of threads with the purpose that bugs cannot escape. The threads are intertwined so to create this strong net. Last month I talked about blessings and suggested some resources. One of those was our Sunday worship bulletin. We on staff have intentionally developed the bulletin into a total ‘package’ – one that not only has your guide for the worship service, but has announcements on the life of the church as well as devotional readings for the week to come. Our purpose is for you to take the bulletin home with you each week. Leave it on your kitchen table or counter so that you see it. Use the blessings as part of your day. Read the lectionary scriptures each day. Let it be a part of your devotional time. Take just a few moments before heading out to a busy day to read back over the prayers. Bring your Sunday experience into your weekday life. You may just find it a blessing! Now take that same plan and replace people for the threads. There are teachers, youth leaders, guides, mentors, friends. Those are the obvious ones but the list in this web doesn’t stop there. I heard recently of a church that has a “Grandma Brigade”, several women who greet every child who walks through the church doors every Sunday, not because the child happens to be part of a family, but because that child has come into the church and is a very real presence. What an impact that must make on a child to be greeted first over his/her parent! So, you see, to be a part of the faith web of a child doesn’t mean a major time commitment to prepare Peace- 5 Terri STAFF Title By Chris Lutz Director of Outreach & Integration Ministries When was the last time you were “new” somewhere? Have you started a new job? Gone to a new school? Even shopped in a new store? It’s really disconcerting being new. You don’t know where anything is, who anyone is, or what kind of behavior is expected. Now, think about those who are new to Gethsemane, either visitors or the new members who have joined in the last few months. What can you do to make things less disconcerting for these folks? First, introduce yourself – and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself again! Better yet, wear your name tag. Someone new to Gethsemane has around a hundred names to learn. That’s not going to happen in one week, so please help them out! (If your nametag has been lost or mutilated beyond recognition, please let me or Diane know!) Second, if you see someone looking slightly lost or puzzled around the church, help them get where they need to go! Our building, with its varying levels and unique names (“Great Hall” “Trinity Classroom”) can be confusing, too. We are all the hosts and hostesses here, so lets do our best to make the newcomers around us as comfortable as possible. Thanks a lot! Sunday, May 31 We don’t really need any reason to get together and enjoy each other’s company, but on May 31st we have an excellent one. That morning in worship we will be celebrating the Festival of Pentecost and dedicating the beautiful cross that now graces the top of our building. Please stay afterwards to enjoy fellowship over a meal with friends old and new. Outreach Committee will be providing the main dish; we will be looking for wonderful salads, sides, and desserts from the congregation. Please look for a sign up sheet later in the month so that we can get an accurate count for the main dish. Celebrate the day, the season, and our Gethsemane family! 6 WORSHIP Swahili Service for the Columbus Community Easter Eucharist Sunday, May 3, 2009 3:30pm Gethsemane Lutheran Church Pastor Karen Asmus-Alsnauer 35 E. Stanton Ave. Columbus, OH 43214 Phone: 614-885-4319 Website: www.gethsemane.org Email: [email protected] Haleluya! Yesu amefufuka! Hallelujah! Jesus is risen! On Sunday, May 3, 2009, come and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with a Eucharist Service in Swahili and English. The service begins at 3:30pm with music and videos from the Upendo Group. Guest preacher is Rev. Michael Dube, who is a Lutheran pastor from Zimbabwe. Holy Communion will be served and all baptized and believing Christians are invited to the Lord’s Table to share in this meal. After the service, there will be time to greet one another and enjoy African snacks. The service is at Gethsemane Lutheran Church on Stanton Ave., which is ¼ mile off North High Street behind Tim Horton’s. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call the church or email Pastor Karen at the above address. The Swahili Service is a joint ministry of Gethsemane and Ascension Lutheran Churches. 7 WORSHIP Sponsor Flowers and Bulletins Do I usher today? Do I serve communion next week? Help! I’ve lost my serving schedule. Would you like to sign up to sponsor flowers or bulletins for Sunday worship? Sign up across the hall from the church office or call 885-4319 or e-mail [email protected]. Check below for available days. Cost $30.00 flowers; $15.00 bulletins. Date May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 June 7 June 14 Flowers Lyatuu Addlesperger Bulletins Lyatuu Siebert Perin Siddall Ever have these problems? Well, there is an answer and it can be found on the bulletin board across the hall from the church office. Locate the Sunday, check the list, and find out the answer to your dilemma. It’s as easy as that! Hagerdorn SUMMER WORSHIP June ─ July ─ August 10:00 AM ADULT EDUCATION 8:45 AM 8 LEARN Adult Bible Study (Library Upper Level) Adult Education Opportunities Sunday Mornings at 10:10 This group studies directly from the Book of Faith, the Bible. Current focus is the Book of 2 Corinthians. The study is led by Dick Lyndes, with assistance from Bob Davis. You are invited to join at any time. For more information, contact Dick at 885-6061. Adult Forum (Multipurpose Room below offices) April 26, May 3 and 10 “The Power of Forgiveness” led by Pastor Leslie Fox. an ELCA pastor and graduate of both Luther Seminary in St. Paul and Trinity Seminary in Columbus. This 3-week class will be centered on a DVD entitled “The Power of Forgiveness”. The film provides an honest look at the intensity of anger and grief that human nature is heir to. It is essentially seven short stories about forgiveness and an examination of the role forgiveness can play in alleviating anger and grief. It shows the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come with forgiveness. To forgive someone can be simple. But this simple act can have powerful consequences – and may lead to a personal and spiritual transformation. (taken from Journey Films website) 2009 Vacation Bible School for children ages 3- grade 5 July 7-9, 6:30pm-8:00pm Mark your calendars! Save the date! From Northern Ireland to Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, the film features interviews with Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, spiritual writer Thomas Moore, and others. A companion to this DVD is a book of the same title, The Power of Forgiveness. It is available for order at www.augsburgfortress.org. May 17, 24 and 31 A Focus on Missions led by our Mission & Ministry Committee May 17 – KIVA, a program to assist small businesses in Third World countries May 24 – Tour De Revs May 31 – Ways to make the world a better place – starting with us (class will be at 8:45am on this day) 9 SERVE • The schedule of events for the Revs while in the area of the Southern Ohio Synod begins on Saturday, May 16 with their 20-30 ride into Trinity Lutheran Seminary, of which Gethsemane ‘bikers’ are invited to participate. More specific events and opportunities will be held/offered during this visit which will continue to take shape over the weeks to come. Please keep a watch on these developments through the bulletin and newsletter announcements, and on the webpage. In the meantime, mark your calendar for the bike ride on May 16 - in addition to worship and education on Sunday morning, May 17! Tour de Revs Visits Gethsemane From May 13 through August 20, three ELCA pastors will be riding a custom-made bamboo bicycle built for three to raise awareness of hunger and wellness issues. They will be in each of the 65 synods of our national church, covering over 13,000 miles on their 3 month tour. The Tour de Revs will be stopping in Columbus, Ohio May 16-18, 2009, and preaching at three congregations in the Columbus area on Sunday, May 17th: Christ in Bexley, Fellowship in Worthington, and Gethsemane in Columbus. The three pastors are The Reverend Fred Soltow, The Reverend Ron Schlak and The Reverend David Twedt, all from the West Virginia –Western Maryland Synod. Their goal is to provide: • • Revenue: The goal of this ride is to support ELCA World Hunger Appeal in reaching its goal of $25 million annually for ELCA World Hunger. We believe this exciting venture in ministry can raise $5 million. If you have specific questions about the Tour de Revs, please go to www.tourderevs.org or contact Rev. Ruth Fortis, GLC Mission and Ministry Committee and Southern Ohio Synod Hunger Task Force, at: [email protected]. Revelation: Support this church in communicating our God-given opportunity and responsibility to provide for those less fortunate so that all may have adequate nutrition to sustain life and wholeness. The ride will also stress the need for everyone to take personal responsibility for health and wellness. Revolution: Stimulate people to formulate and implement realistic plans to eradicate hunger within this lifetime! Attention Quilters! Our day to get together and get tied up in knots or keep each other in stitches while we make quilts for Lutheran World Relief will be Saturday, May 30 from 9 - 1 p.m. The quilt group is made up of young and old, experienced sewers and novices. Come join the fun! If you have questions about the group, call Ruth Fortis at 337-9332. 10 SERVE Notice the big yellow shower trailer in our parking lot….it’s hard to miss! During use in early spring, it sustained damage in an ice storm and is currently here for repairs. Dave Kulikowski and Paul Siebert, original designers and builders of the trailer, are accessing damage to the water pipes and making the needed repairs. Confirmation Class Completes Children’s Hospital Service Project Our Tuesday night confirmation class (grades 6-8) recently completed a service project for patients of Children’s Hospital. They purchased supplies for 8 arts and crafts activity bags with money earned in selling their homemade cookies. Thank you to the congregation for such great support! The following was received by Children’s Hospital: “Thank you for your wonderful gifts to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Your vision and generosity is heartwarming. We are fortunate that tomorrow’s leaders are already learning the important lesson that thinking of others always helps us appreciate our own health and happiness.” Senior High Youth Raise Funds at Shack City by Sleeping in Cardboard Boxes Job well done, confirmation students! News from Lutheran Social Services At 8:00 pm on May 2 until 8:00 am May 3 the Senior High Youth will participate in Shack City in downtown Worthington. During this event they will learn about Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Builds as well as sleep in cardboard boxes to raise awareness for homelessness. You can support this project by making a contribution to one of Gethsemane’s high school youth for their “homeless” time in a cardboard box. This is a wonderful opportunity to have a real impact on assuring the creation of two new homes above what would otherwise be built this year in Franklin County. Make all checks payable to “Thrivent Builds”. Receipts are available (Thrivent Builds/Habitat for Humanity) for tax purposes. A second Lutheran Social Services distribution center has been opened in Vinton County as another resource in the battle against poverty. Located in McArthur, the distribution center will help county residents meet their basic needs by providing furniture, appliances, household items, clothing, school supplies and hygiene kits. The current distribution center in Caldwell from which many of us have served will remain open to serve the needs in that area. Mary Woodward will direct operations at both centers. The need is great – any and all goods are accepted. Our garage is a drop-off place for these goods. If you have something to donate, or know of someone who does, place the goods in our garage. They will be loaded onto the storage trailer and sent to either of the 2 centers. Watch for the start up date for the next house that Gethsemane volunteers will work on here in Columbus. 11 CONNECT 2009 National Youth Gathering July 22-26, New Orleans The Southern Ohio Synod youth will be wearing a T-shirt that was designed by our very own Katlin Hiller. Almost 400 T-shirts have been sold to our synod youth and adults! Katlin’s design was chosen at the synod’s youth gathering in January. That’s exciting! Katlin’s design is below. (T-shirt back) (T-shirt front) The Senior High Youth have begun preparing for their trip to New Orleans. In the past weeks they have explored Hurricane Katrina and its effects on those who lived in the areas that were hit. They also attended a get-together with other churches from the Southern Ohio Synod. In the next few months they hope to meet the other groups that will share the bus with them on the long trip down. Gethsemane youth attending the New Orleans Gathering in July are Tyler Kulikowski, Bethany Keyser, Adam Siddall, Elizabeth Ankrom, Rachel Murphy, Morgan Melton, Adam Norris, Katlin Hiller, and Sarah Lucco. Adults accompanying them are Judy Kulikowski, Mike Siddall, and Jen Tatz. The Senior high Youth thank all those who attended the Easter Breakfast. It was a great success and we could not have done it without you!!! 12 CONNECT Small Group Ministries First Reflections Monday Bible Study [email protected] Saturday Bible Study [email protected] Connections: Faith in the Workplace Judy Reuning [email protected] Men’s Breakfast Bob Davis [email protected] Habitat for Humanity Bill Darlage [email protected] Mom’ Group Becky Lickfelt [email protected] LWR Quilts Ruth Fortis [email protected] Prayer Shawls Kathleen Addlesperger [email protected] OR Call the Church Office 614-885-4319 Scrip Card Fundraiser Take a look at an order form that can be found on the narthex table and you will see what a variety of scrip cards are available through this great fundraising program. Whether it be clothing, food, dining, entertainment, home improvement, electronics, books, it can be purchased with a scrip card. Each merchant sets a percentage of profit for their cards and it’s that percentage that we retain from the sale of cards to support our youth programs and the church general fund. Pick up an order form, make an order with a check made payable to Gethsemane Lutheran Church and drop both in the box on the table. Order date is every 3rd Sunday of each month. We have a few cards available for direct purchase without ordering – Giant Eagle $100 cards, Bob Evans $10, Wendy’s $10, Panera $10, CVS $25. See either Terri Siebert or the church office for purchase. For more information on the program, see Terri at 885-4319 or [email protected]. Kroger Community Rewards Program Check your mailbox for information on the new Kroger fundraising program. Gethsemane participates in this community outreach by Kroger and, in the 4 ½ years of our participation, we have earned $16,867. The program has been updated to make it easier for participants. The 13 only requirement is an online registration so be sure to read the information. If you have any problems or questions, please see Terri Siebert, program coordinator, 885-4319 or [email protected]. If you haven’t participated in this for GLC, please consider doing so if you are a Kroger shopper. The benefits are great! Health Ministry Team… Blood Glucose Evaluations According to WebMD, blood glucose testing measures the amount of a type of sugar in your blood called glucose. This glucose comes from foods containing carbohydrates, and it is the main source of energy our bodies use. After eating, it is normal for blood glucose levels to increase slightly; this increase tells the pancreas to release insulin (a hormone produced in the pancreas) into the blood so that the blood glucose level does not get too high. Blood glucose levels that remain high over a period of time can damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. There are several different types of blood glucose tests. Coming in the fall the HMT will be offering fasting blood sugar (FBS) testing. This measures blood glucose after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, this is often the first test done to check for diabetes. So, keep your eyes open for more information and a signup sheet. Due to the need to be fasting we plan to offer a light breakfast for those participating in this program. PLAY AND LEARN Play and Learn Christian Child Care Telephone: 846-7576 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.playandlearnccc.org Administrative Staff Brenda Weilbacher, Dir. Emily Hatem, Asst. Dir. Baby Bears (Children 6 wks – 18 mos) Kelee McGuire Petra Molina Brittany Seitz Kim Weissman Elmo’s Express (Children 18 mos–2 ½ yrs) Debbie Miller Aida Montalvo Big Birds (Children 2 ½ – 3 ½ yrs) Kate Bumster Angela Pulley Cookie Monsters (Children 3 – 4 yrs) Shirleen Erhart Cheryl Miller Kermits (Children 4 - 5 yrs) T’mia Gilson Annette O’Stroske Kitchen Staff Lorie Flynn AT PLAY AND LEARN CHRISTIAN CHILD CARE. . . Children Learn To: Work alone and with others Share and take turns Explore thoughts, ideas, and feelings Listen to others Develop feelings of security and success Activities Are Designed To: Build self-confidence Develop vocabulary Encourage recognition of differences in sound, size, shape and color Increase interest in books, numbers, and people Improve coordination Introduce new ideas Develop self-esteem Daily Activities Include: Group time Story time Music Arts and crafts Reading, writing, and math readiness Health and safety Gross/large motor skills Fine/small motor skills Life skills Speaking skills and language development Science and social studies Outdoor play (weather permitting) Structured play in centers, such as housekeeping, puzzles, and blocks News and Upcoming Events Friday, May 1st – Chicken Noodle Fundraising Dinner in the Great Hall (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) Play and Learn appreciates your support of this fundraiser. Dine-in and carry-out dinners will be available. Proceeds will be used to renovate the classrooms. Employment Opportunities If you or someone you know is looking for a rewarding full-time or part-time job and enjoys working with children, please call the Play and Learn office (846-7576) to find out more about our available positions. 14 PEOPLE NEWS May Birthdays 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 21 22 23 24 26 27 29 30 31 Arlene Hendrickson Dory Shoemaker Aaron Portzline Brian McLean Tyler Kulikowski Dorothy Tyrrell Colin Schleappi Jay Fry Kate King Cathy Jung Karl Koch Krista Nesser Ruth Gahl Kate Portzline Aliya Myers Chris Augenstein Carrie Feldman Chris Gaines Brian Murphy Mark Geary Katlin Hiller Victoria Hine Rand Methfessel Don Huiner Brian Sieberth Anna Conrad David Perin NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE—MAY 17 To submit an article e-mail it to newsletter @gethsemane.org or leave it on Diane’s desk. Our Prayers and Concern Are With . . . “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 Members we continue to pray for: Marie Cooper Jean Fritchen (Norworth) Ken Gerken Eleanor Nagy Rebecca Oldaker Norma Wilson (Whetstone) Reva Woodruff. Family and friends: Stephen Berger (friend of Gary Rader) Donna Dahlstrom (cousin of Bob Swanson) Sandy Davis (friend of Jan Davis) Brown Dobyns (father of M. Meredith Dobyns) Judy Good (daughter-in-law of Myrtle Korn) Julia Griffiths (sister of Frank Bunk) Karen Heriaud (friend of Don Huiner) Son of Rev. Jon and Jennifer KiblerMcCabe Betty Moeller (friend of Don Huiner) Anna Page (aunt of Chris Lutz) Dorothy Pilz (aunt of Jim Siebert) Jack Portzline (brother of Ralph Portzline) Rosemary Rauch (friend of Dick Lyndes) Judy Tansky (mother of Nate Tansky) Ruth Vollrath (cousin of Jane Sieberth) 15 Arnold Woods (father of John Woods) Matt Young (nephew of Lee Ann Perin). Hospitalized: Marion Whitlock (Riverside) Elaine Haines (Riverside) Deaths: Gloria Bockstiegel (mother of Dorian Norstrom) Meredith Davis Dobyns (mother of M. Meredith Dobyns Stephanie Kucic (friend of Anita Gardner) Mariam Mader (friend of Anita Gardner) Tim Zelinski (friend of Anita Gardner) Mother of Meredith Dobyns Family and friends serving overseas: Chris Augenstein (son of Mike and Jonell Augenstein) Steve Bair (brother of Scott Bair). Would you like to add your prayers? For Prayers of the People: Contact church secretary, Diane, at 8854319 or [email protected] by Thursday. Family and friends stay on the Gethsemane prayer list for one month. Please contact the church office if continued prayers are needed. For prayers during the week: Call Beryl Cumberland (471-0408) or Barbara Nelson (888-6257). COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Congregation Council Highlights of Council Meeting – April 16, 2009 A copy of the Council and Committee minutes and Financial Report is posted in Atrium Way. PLEASE READ BUT LEAVE POSTED. Take home copies (minus attachments) are available in the Welcome Center. President Bill Darlage Vice President REPORTS Secretary Judy Reuning • Treasurer Jeff Luedke • Day Care Diane Langner • • Mission & Ministry Joyce Geary Rick Langner Wendy Luedke Outreach Jim Siebert Gary Rader Property Dan Erwin Jim Sauer • • FINANCIAL REPORTS March 31, 2009 Worship Don Dell Carol Prigan Youth & Parish Education Paula Sauer Holy Week Services – Thanks to staff and members for teamwork that made for wonderful worship. Planning had begun in November. Triduum bulletins are available in the Welcome Center. Worthington Community Good Friday service – Pr Karen rewrote the service, Morgan Melton typed it, Lucas Weiss carried the GLC cross and was pictured on the front page of the Worthington News. Worship Summer Schedule begins June 7 – one service at 10 am following the Education Hour. 2008 Discretionary Benevolence Funds – Mission and Ministry designated $500 to Helping Hands Health Clinic at Ascension Lutheran Church; $500 to Clintonville Resource Center which has had a great increase of people requesting assistance; and $2185 to Play and Learn for carpeting for the Main Center. The 2-centsworth Lenten appeal yielded $270 in coins for hunger relief. Roof Cross is on the roof! Intern for fall 2009 has been assigned, no details yet. MIC students: Bob Swanson finishes in May; Mandy Oleson will continue for another year. Gethsemane report showed a shortfall for the month of approximately $7,860 which is about $3,400 more than budgeted. Contributions in March designated for Gethsemane’s operating expenses were approximately $24,600 which is $10,100 less than budgeted. Year-to-date contributions were better than budgeted. However, after adjusting for the accelerated contributions of approximately $15,000, the year-to-date contributions would be approximately $10,700 less than budgeted. Since we began 2009 with a deficit of approximately $11,200, our cumulative deficit is approximately $22,300. Play & Learn loan payment was received. The unpaid balance is $4,500. Play and Learn Report - not available 16 COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS APPROVED BY COUNCIL • • • • Remembrance/Special Purpose Funds Procedures – These will be posted in Atrium Way and put in the Policies and Procedures Book Tanzanian Outreach: Whereas, 2008 Gethsemane Church Council identified as a goal the serving of persons of Tanzanian heritage, and whereas, Gethsemane is blessed with members of Tanzanian heritage, therefore, Gethsemane Church Council enthusiastically and prayerfully affirms and supports efforts to intentionally deepen ministry for and with these Christian brothers and sisters. Deposit of the bequest from Estelle Shirley’s estate in the Undesignated Remembrance Fund. Timeline for Church Governance changes – to be ready for vote at November Voters meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS • • • • • Tanzanian Worship and Fellowship – Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2009. The Planning Committee is from Ascension, Gethsemane and Trinity Seminary. Executive Committee Meeting – Monday, May 11, 2009, 2:00 pm Tour de Revs – Worship and Adult Forum – Sunday, May 17, 2009 Congregation Council Meeting – Thursday, May 21, 2009, 7:30 pm Delegates for Synod Assembly June 5, 6 at Capital – Don Dell; female delegate needed. Judy Reuning Secretary 17