bethlehem newsletter - Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Transcription
bethlehem newsletter - Bethlehem Lutheran Church
BETHLEHEM NEWSLETTER Bethlehem Lutheran Church P.O. Box 469 [email protected] Elgin, Texas 78621 http://www.bethlehem-elgin.org/ 512-285-5036 JUNE 2011 Worship Time: 10 AM SS & Confirmation Summer Break/Adult Sunday School: 9 AM SOME NOTES FROM PASTOR KLUMPP WHAT’S IN A NAME? Somewhere Shakespeare wrote, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” That‟s probably true, but young couples expecting a child study name books and try to select carefully a name that will fit, if not the child, then their expectations for the child. Family traditions result in juniors and even „the third‟. I even know a man named “Tre” because he was the third child. Biblical names used to be popular. That‟s not so true anymore. Teachers can tell you what names are in vogue. Debbie and Jennifer had their day, as did Jeffrey and Brad. Fads are fickle, however, and that‟s probably fortunate. If “variety is the spice of life,” then a new batch of “in” names every few years adds to the mix. Names themselves have meanings. George, as I recall, pertains to farming or agriculture. I can‟t think of any farmers I know named George. I told my grandson that his name, Jonas, means dove. He wasn‟t impressed. His father dislikes doves, particularly the ones raiding his bird feeder continually, so there‟s a bit of irony. I have a granddaughter named Grace. I like the name Grace, but “Gracie” not so much. Grace is one religious word that has kept its luster according to Frederick Buechner. Think of gracious and graceful. Of course, grace can mean several things—a prayer before meals, a certain style or beauty of form, matter or motion. I think of ballet dancers. It also means favor or good will as well as an attractive or pleasing quality or endowment. With all those positives, Grace is a tough name to top. When asked if she would mind if her cousin was named Grace, she demurred. She wanted to keep the name solely for herself, though she said it could be a middle name. I think I was about thirteen when I discovered that my name, David, meant „beloved‟ in the Hebrew original. Yuck, I though—that sounds kinda—well sissy. What did you expect? I was 13. I don‟t feel that way anymore. Instead, I believe that everyone wants to be someone‟s beloved, and wants to become the giver of love to another who then is “beloved”. Beloved works as subject and object, giver and receiver. Read the obituaries and you‟ll find the word beloved used frequently. So and so, beloved mother, wife, grandmother, etc. What does it mean to be beloved? I think the simplest explanation would be to say, “cared for or about.” If we love something or someone, we care for them and care about what happens to them. Somewhere St. Paul writes, “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord‟s.” That picks up the meaning of the words „grace‟ and „david‟. God pours out favor upon us because we are beloved children of the heavenly Father. It‟s comforting to believe that we are God‟s beloved, not just in death but in life as well. It suggests that God cares for us and cares about what happens to us. That‟s about as good as it can get. The dove of God‟s Spirit is involved in the movement toward accepting or believing this. At least that‟s the symbol used in the New Testament for the coming of God‟s Spirit to Jesus at his baptism. So while a rose by any other name might smell as sweet, names have significance and meaning, and we do well to know and honor this fact in our daily living. It will make it easier for others to find us „beloved‟ and to value the relationship. So what‟s in a name? Much, if we live up to it. ~ Pr. Dave CONGRATULATIONS to our 2011 High School graduates, Sammy Bruce and Justin Lundgren. Bethlehem wishes these two fine young men a bright and prosperous future. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Plans are underway for VBS at Bethlehem to be held August 2-3 from 9 am - 3 pm, with a light breakfast & lunch provided each day. The theme this year is “Shake It Up Café where kids carry out God’s Recipe.” Abby Grifno is the VBS coordinator; please contact her at 512-428-8868 for registration information and/or to volunteer! A volunteer planning meeting will be held on Aug 1st. More information will be announced in the July-August newsletter and in the Sunday bulletins. GOD WITH US They shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 STEWARDSHIP FOR MAY $ Member Offering Non-Member Garage Sale Total - $ 3,399.00 292.20 1295.70 $ 4,986.70 Balance, 5-1-11 May Income May Expenses Balance, 5-31-11 Building Fund - $ 700.00 Average Attendance: - $ 365.16** 4,986.70 -2,735.11 - $ 2,616.75 $ 31 **Please note that this is a corrected amount from that reported in the May newsletter. Adopt-a-Month: June has been adopted by Dolores Lundgren in memory of Robert Lundgren. It was not reported in the last newsletter that Luther and Evelyn Draehn adopted the month of May. ALTAR FLOWERS FOR JUNE June 19 - Family of Orvis Moore All other June Sundays are OPEN JUNE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS 6 - Merv Krause 26 - Stephanie (Samuelson) Cabral 17 - Lisa Olson 27 - Electra Owens 29 - Caitlyn McLean REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYER the following who were in nursing homes, are homebound, ill, have been lifted up in prayer, called, or sent cards of cheer or sympathy during May. Please call Glenda Samuelson at 281-4031 if you would like to place someone on our prayer chain. Loraine Kessel Dietrich Kessel Mary Ann Gustafson Sarah Larson We also remember our service personnel: Josh Kimberly & Matthew Helgren SUNDAY SCHOOL Although the children’s Sunday School and Confirmation program will take a break until Rally Day in early September, the adult class will continue to meet over a cup of coffee to discuss the Bible readings for the day. Any and all…..youth and adult alike…..are most welcome to join this informal group at 9 a.m. each Sunday morning. MEN’S BREAKFAST The monthly men’s breakfast will be held on Saturday, June 11th, at 8 am at the City Café. All men are encouraged to attend and enjoy the fellowship of men from New Sweden and St. Peter’s. Tables are set up for the group, and it is pay-as-you-go (or dutch treat). YOU ARE INVITED by the Bruce family to a graduation party at church honoring Sammy Bruce on Saturday, June 4th, at 2:00. ALL ABOUT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE! Nicholas Maio was commended on his reading and math TAKS 5th grade. For the summer he will do some fishing and visit the beach. Sammy Bruce was voted Prom King and received Most Outstanding Percussionist in the EHS Band for the marching season as well as Purple Heart award. He will start school on July 21st. Tara Bruce will be going to driving school during the summer and has been selected Drum Line Lieutenant with the EHS Band in the fall. Kasey Coffey took a field trip to the Witte Museum in San Antonio with the Gifted and Talented class. She is involved in UIL in her school for her creative writing talent. She also won several ribbons at her school for her field day competition. This summer she will start swimming lessons and will enjoy horseback riding. Kasey will be joining 4-H this year after her 9th birthday in November. Kalli Coffey will be doing some horseback riding this summer with Dad plus some swimming and lots of playing. She’ll also be helping her Po-Po with the chickens and vegetable garden. Gabby & Abby Grifno participated in the Texas State Science Olympiad held at A&M in early May as part of a homeschool team. Gabby placed 1st in Ecology, 3rd in Microbe Mission, and 6th in Anatomy. Abby placed 6th in Disease Detectives. Their team placed 5th overall. Both girls continue to be active in Girl Scouts as Cadettes and are involved in leadership projects this summer to earn the Silver Award. The girls played YMCA soccer this spring, and are looking forward to Camps Chrysalis and Ebert in June. Justin Lundgren won Baseball MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the second year in a row. He will be farming with his Dad during the summer and then begin his college career in the fall at A&M Kingsville where he received a full baseball scholarship. Kaylee Lundgren is attending Coupland ISD, maintaining an A average. She's also participating in private gymnastic lessons and is playing on a select volleyball team for the summer. Cole Lundgren continues going to Blinn at College Station majoring in Agronomy and has a 3.0 GPA. His plans are to transfer to Texas A&M next year and major in Agronomy. (continued next page) BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH - LUND JUNE 2011 Church Telephone - 512-285-5036 17808 Lund Carlson Road Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 Thursday 2 Bring food or dry goods items for food pantry any time! 5 7th Sunday of Easter 6 7 8 9 Friday 3 4 Elgin High School Graduation Bruce Graduation Party 2 pm - Hall 10 11 Men’s Breakfast Lundgren Graduation Party Hall (White) Day of Pentecost 9:00 Adult Sunday School 10:00 Worship Service - Dale Kessel 11:00 Church Council JUNE DUTIES City Café 8am 9:00 Adult Sunday School 10:00 Worship Service Holy Communion - Pr. Klumpp 12 Saturday 13 14 15 16 17 18 ACOLYTES June 5 - Gabby & Abby June 12 - Madison Krause June 19 - Savannah Olson June 26 - Volunteer USHERS Sammy Bruce Volunteer Flag Day GREETERS (Red) Volunteers 19 The Holy Trinity 9:00 Adult Sunday School 10:00 Worship Service - Dale Kessel 20 21 (Green) 24 25 Bring something to share! Lynette Peters Summer begins (White) 2nd Sunday after Pentecost 9:00 Adult Sunday School 10:00 Worship Service - Pr. Klumpp 23 ALTAR GUILD Father’s Day 26 22 27 28 July Newsletter: Submit Info by Noon 29 Julie Lundgren 30 COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Dale Kessel Cathy Close Server: Ron Remmert Wyatt Peters has learned to write his name. He’ll be going to the beach this summer for vacation and plans to sign up for soccer. He’s proud of a big catfish he caught recently. Sarah Krause is working at Subway this summer and taking college ACC classes. She is also taking part in a movie being filmed at Elgin High School. Madison Krause was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. She will continue her competitive cheerleading and was chosen to be an 8th grade cheerleader in the fall. Kyndall Krause will continue toddler explorations and fascination with life. She’ll celebrate her third birthday in July. Electra Owens will be taking an ACC course this summer. Jayme Prinz is looking forward to finishing her last year with Camp Coca Cola and she will be farming as needed with her dad and brothers. She will also be getting a little golf in every chance she gets. Kayln Prinz will be going to the lake a lot with her daddy in their new boat and taking a trip to California with her mom to visit family there. Emerson and Amery Prinz are getting excited about taking a family vacation to Padre Island later this summer. Note: Any updated input about youth or happenings, please let us know so that we can print it in the July-August newsletter. DO YOU KNOW YOUR HYMNS? Dentist's Hymn..............................Crown Him with Many Crowns Weatherman's Hymn....................There Shall Be Showers of Blessings Contractor's Hymn........................The Church's One Foundation The Tailor's Hymn.........................Holy, Holy, Holy The Golfer's Hymn........................There's a Green Hill Far Away The Politician's Hymn....................Standing on the Promises Optometrist's Hymn.......................Open My Eyes That I Might See The IRS Agent's Hymn..................I Surrender All The Gossip's Hymn........................Pass It On The Electrician's Hymn..................Send The Light The Shopper's Hymn.....................Sweet Bye and Bye The Realtor's Hymn.......................I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop The Massage Therapists Hymn.....He Touched Me The Doctor's Hymn........................The Great Physician AND for those who speed on the highway - a few hymns: 45mph.......................God Will Take Care of You 65mph........................Nearer My God To Thee 85mph........................This World Is Not My Home 95mph........................Lord, I'm Coming Home 100mph......................Precious Memories BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH LUND COMMUNITY P.O. BOX 469 ELGIN, TEXAS 78621