The Messenger - St Stephen Evangelical
Transcription
The Messenger - St Stephen Evangelical
The M essenger A Letter from Bishop Schaefer Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, August I write to you at the dawn of a new chapter of our being on the road together as the Florida-Bahamas Synod. As I assume this apostolic office that you have entrusted to me by the church’s Spirit-led call, I continue to seek your prayers as I commit to hold the rostered leaders, congregations and agencies of the synod in mine. 1 In Matthew 13:52 Jesus says to the disciples, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” The communion of saints which we confess in the church’s creeds is a wonderful reminder that our faith is always about continuity and change, the old and the new. I give thanks for the ministry of Bishop Benoway and all who served as assistants to the bishop with such faithfulness, dedication, and love over the past twelve years. We will now build on this faithfulness. 2013 This is the only mission we have: participating in God’s mission of reconciling the world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. What will be new in the months ahead are the ways we will participate in that mission structurally. I understand the purpose of our synod as a whole and the Office of the Bishop in particular as igniting and connecting congregations in · boldly sharing Christ, · passionately making disciples, · faithfully doing justice I come among you with a dream and a vision that as a synod we will live into being a vibrant network of congregations proclaiming Christ and transforming communities with the gospel. Our structure must serve this purpose and vision. I am sharing with you today that in this first year I plan to restructure the way the “Office of the Bishop”—the bishop’s mission team or network—is put together. The Continued on next page Letter from the Bishop (continued) August 2 2013 current structure of two regional deployed assistants and a synodwide Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) will give way to two Director of Evangelical Mission/Assistants to the Bishop; one for the Gulf region and one for the Atlantic region. A third partner will serve as Assistant to the Bishop for Missional Leadership. This person will carry most of the responsibility for congregational pastoral transition, Interim Ministry, mobility, candidacy, lay ministries (synod deacons/diakonia, other emerging leadership formation) and discipleship formation (with other partners). This shift will free up the two deployed DEM/assistants to spend the bulk of their efforts on evangelical mission on the ground (i.e., new and renewed congregations, mission strategies, stewardship, partnering with Deans in assisting congregations and conferences forming missional plans that connect in relevant ways to their communities), representing the bishop in pastoral care and resourcing, relating to youth and ethnic specific ministries, our synodical global partners, and regularly preaching in congregations as an extension of my office. There will continue to be an Assistant to the Bishop for Administration functioning in ways similar to the current configuration. This change will take some time, particularly since, although there are potential candidates, the two newly designed DEM/Assistant to the Bishop positions must be filled in partnership with the churchwide Congregation and Synodical Mission (CSM) unit who will provide a portion of both salaries. I ask your patience over these months of transition, and I pledge to you diligence in moving this forward with expedience. In the short term, we begin this new chapter with the old structure as a bridge. Mr. Ken Aicher, Assistant for Administration will stay on for several months in his current position. Ms. Connie Schmucker, AiM, will also continue as Assistant to the Bishop for the Gulf side during the time of transition to the new configuration. Pr. Paul Lutze will officially move into retirement from Assistant to the Bishop for the Atlantic side as he takes up an interim ministry. Since I will bring two new people to the two newly designed positions replacing the former one synodwide Director of Evangelical Mission, Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed will transition into a new ministry venture in the near future. I thank God for each of these partners in ministry and especially for the 12 years that Pr. Rita has dedicated with grace and great giftedness to the work and mission of the Florida-Bahamas Synod under Bishop Benoway. As I shared with those of you who were present at the synod assembly, my first priority in the first six months will be claiming my role as the synod’s pastor. To that end, I will host a gathering in all 15 conferences which will include sharing a meal and mutual conversation with our pastors and lay rostered leaders who have been called by God to lead us in mission, followed by congregation members of the entire conference being invited to join at the Lord’s Table for a celebration of Holy Communion at a centrally located building where I will preach and preside. I am inviting every rostered leader and every disciple in every congregation to be present at one of these services. We will conclude with a time of fellowship at the Lord’s table in order to be sent back to the tables in our communities as the body of Christ. More about this in the weeks ahead. I am deeply grateful for this call to be among you as one who serves, and for the gift of baptism which calls each of us in our daily lives to embody the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. I look forward to seeing all of you as we celebrate the rich life we have together in Christ at my installation at St. Timothy’s in Tampa on August 31. Yes, by the grace of God and deeply rooted in the gospel, we will be a vibrant network of congregations proclaiming Christ and transforming communities with the gospel! The peace of Christ be with you all, + Robert The Rev. Robert G. Schaefer Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod Pastor’s Word At the recent ELCA Missional Leaders Conference to which you graciously sent me, there was talk of what makes the difference between a healthy, thriving congregation and one that is dying or at least “dead in the water.” It wasn’t the liturgy, how communion was done or whether there was a Praise Team. It was about what was in people’s hearts, minds, and souls. Prayer was important as was a clear sense of God’s mission for the congregation, for the Church at large, and for the individual. An indwelling of God’s Word that helps set the course for one’s life, an ongoing discipleship that continues just as the heart needs to keep beating. St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians wrote: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” [Colossians 3:16a]. 2013 In Christ, David Potter, Interim Pastor + From Our Deaconess Grace to you all, Thanks to all of you for all you did this year, helping our Interim Pastor in areas that needed change and helping with the clean up. I would like to see us have Training Sessions in the areas of Assisting Minister, Acolyte, Lector, Greeter, Usher, Altar Care, Sound, and Projection at least three times a year so it is fresh in our minds. We can be clear about what needs to be accomplished, whose gifts are not being used, and those who are freely offering them to us. I hope to start these sessions soon. They will probably be right after the Sunday service. Please be willing to take only one more hour on Sunday and join us for something that will be of interest to you. I think you will find there is something that you will be able to do and with more helpers we won’t have to do it as often. A lot of our people are snowbirds and so we have to ask our Florida residents to help out. I know you’re out there and I know you can do it, so come join us and remember, “With God nothing is Impossible.” This year has been a challenge and yet we have gotten through those things that have been challenging so we know we can do it. There have been many times we have wanted to do things differently and yet have found out it has not been done because of someone’s health, time, stress, or just not knowing what needs to be accomplished. I hope we have learned from this past year what needs to be done and where our talents can be used, learning how to help one another. God bless all of you. I continue to say thanks for all your blessings and your help when I have asked for your time and you have shown your talents. As one of my Pastors said, until next time KEEP SMILING EVERY CHANCE YOU GET. Yours in Christ, Pat Belanger, Deaconess 3 This renewed emphasis on God’s Word is also behind the Word App Intro Group being “test-driven” this month. In addition, it serves as an invitation to come to the study of Luke being offered again on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. May God’s Word be a source of new life and salvation for you. August This is why we have begun a Life Verse of the Week, most often gleaned from that Sunday’s Scripture readings. It is there to read and speak in Sunday worship, on paper to take home with you, posted on the outdoor church sign, and soon on the webpage and hopefully also the Facebook page. I encourage you throughout your week to expose yourself to that Word from God and ask: How do I feel when I hear this? How does this word of God apply to my life today, in this moment? How does this word make a difference for me? The Life Verse is being used now at our Congregation Council meetings and has been powerful. Events August 4 2013 We V B S 2 0 1 3 Coffee and Conversation Socializing Commission recently discussed opportunities to welcome community residents to join St. Stephen in Coffee and Conversation about topics such as health and wellness, end of life care, wills and estate planning, and senior resources. It will be held the second Friday of the month, 10:00-11:00 in St. Stephen’s Fellowship Hall. Refreshments will be served. Coffee and Conversation events are free to the public. Hope to see you there with your friends. For more information and if you have topics you’d like to see presented, contact pastor. The Breakfast Bunch 5 It’s a great time to get to better know one another. If you have a special item you would care to bring, please bring it. There is always plenty of food, juice, coffee – and we even have guest speakers too! August This is your special invitation to The Breakfast Bunch – Enjoy a FREE breakfast and fellowship. The Breakfast Bunch meets the first Saturday of each month at 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall starting September 7. 2013 Jeremy Ennen Shelli Searles Mildred Grady Katherine Runk Larry Jones Barbara Biebrich Dee Ennen Greg Ennen Diana Dubman Terry Shumway Rita Roemer 8/3 8/4 8/9 8/10 8/13 8/17 8/17 8/18 8/20 8/24 8/26 Anniversaries Bill & Lorraine Roberts Darin & Marsha Kibler 66 yrs. 8/16 16 yrs. 8/30 Other News FLORIDA-BAHAMAS SYNOD ASSEMBLY - MAY 2 - 4, 2013 St. Stephen was represented at this assembly by Pastor David Potter and delegates Christian Castaneda and Jan and Bud Danker. The highlight of the convention was the election of a new Bishop to replace Edward Benoway who is retiring. Nearly 500 members participated in the voting process. After five ballots, Reverend Robert Schaefer of Emmanuel church in Venice was elected as our new Bishop by more than three-quarters of the votes. Other matters of interest include: Three new congregations were welcomed into the Synod. They are New Life in Sarasota, Rock of Ages in Wildwood and Resurrection House Mission in Dade City. There is a goal to start a new mission every 12 to 18 months. In our Florida-Bahamas Synod there are 186 congregations, 63,577 baptized members and 120 lay deacons. Twenty two ministers retired last year. 6 The Outdoors Ministry announced they are actively developing a new 350 acre camping site at Lutheran Springs. A resolution was passed endorsing a two year capital campaign for Luther Springs and Lutherock starting in 2014. There are 240 missionaries from 40 countries, 60 being youth, working in Africa to reduce poverty and world hunger. See ELCA.org/resources for more detail. August 2013 There also was an election of four district Synod Council representatives and a Synod Council vice-president. In 2014 there will be a change in the ELCA health plan that relates to options. Lenor Rhyne University and Southern Seminary merged. There are three times as many seminary students this year. Demand for graduates is great. Tuition is $15,000. A youth group conducted one of the services. Music is an important part of attracting and involving other youth to our worship services and activities. Resolutions were passed that requested that (1) the Florida-Bahamas Synod to be recognized by the ELCA as a Reconciling in Christ synod (welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered believers), (2) the FloridaBahamas Synod supports the American Families Act (immigration reform) and (3) the revised Ministry Spending Plan spending for year-end January 13, 2014 and the proposed Ministry Spending Plan for year ending January 31, 2015 be adopted. A dinner was held honoring Bishop Benoway for his two terms of service which was attended by all of his family. Submitted by Bud and Jan Danker Congratulations! Christian Castaneda’s confirmation was held on July 21, 2013.. Christian is the son of Eric and Lisa Castaneda and grandson of Rosie and Jimmy Fenneli. Christian has been active in the church since he was small and helps run the projection system until he leaves for college in August. Congratulations also to Jan and Bud Danker as they were presented with John Knox Village’s Annual Silver Angels Award at a commemorative dinner on June 7, 2013. SAVE THE DATE: October 26, 2013 4pm Annual Wine & Cheese Get Together Church Calendar AUGUST 2013 August 7 2013 MINISTERS OF THE SERVICE: ASSISTING MINISTER ACOLYTE LECTORS GREETERS USHERS Projection Sound Board SUNDAY, Aug. 4 Pat Belanger Madison Kibler Natalie Prego Dorothy Johnson Linda Hanzlik, Bud & Jan Danker, Marsh Kibler Jason Elo Pat Bracken SUNDAY, Aug. 11 Sera Butz Andrew Hanzlik Mildred Grady Eduardo Arango John, Maria, & Spencer Kelly, Rosie Fennelli Larry Jones Trudy DiCarlo SUNDAY – 10:00 A.M. SUNDAY, Aug. 18 Pat Belanger Sera Butz Sera Butz Edith Reichenbach Jane Bracken, Joanne & Rick Brustad Jason Elo Pat Bracken SUNDAY, Aug. 25 Pat Belanger Anne Swoboda Jane Reinhold Barbara Kaptain Carol & Kelly Jacobson, Sera Butz, Kathy Runk Pat Bracken Larry Jones If you are unable to serve on the date listed it is your responsibility to find your replacement and notify the Church Office 954-942-4473 for bulletin corrections. Please try to look at the month you’re on and see if you could switch with someone? When you are serving, please try to be at church at least 20 minutes before service starts, so you can be robed and ready. Thank You. Carol Jacobson, Secretary Jason Elo Robert Reinhold Sera Butz, Treasurer Christian Hecker ©2013 All rights reserved. St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church 2500 NE 14th Street Causeway, Pompano Beach, Florida, 33062 Tele: 954.942.4473 • Fax: 954.942.4474 • www.ststephenlutheran.net www.facebook.com/SSLCPompano 2500 NE 14th Street Causeway Pompano Beach, FL 33062 Office hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday Jane Bracken, Vice-President Diana Dubman Rob Lewis John Kelly, President: [email protected] Congregation Council Rev. David Potter - Interim Pastor, [email protected] Rev. Paul Lutze - Synodical Administrator Pat Belanger, Deaconess — [email protected] Cesar Vidaud - Church Musician Kathy Runk, Secretary — [email protected] Ron Legendre, Environmental Engineer — [email protected] Carisa Esposito - Assistant to the Sexton Church Staff Holy Communion is celebrated weekly Sunday School for Adults and Children at 9:00 a.m. Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Schedule Encouraging and strengthening faith in Jesus, and sharing the joy of God’s love. Non Profit Org. U. S. 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