Abiding Love Lutheran Church

Abiding Love Lutheran Church
7210 Brush Country Road
Austin, Texas 78749
512.892.4040
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PD.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
PERMIT NO. 1032
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Abiding Love Lutheran Church
Love Letter No. 1296
March 26, 2014
ABIDING LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
7210 Brush Country Road
Austin, Texas 78749
512-892-4040
Fax: 512-892-4456
www.abidinglove.org facebook.com/abidinglovelutheran
SUNDAY WORSHIP AND LEARNING
ABIDING LOVE STAFF
8:30 am WORSHIP (Sanctuary)
8:30 am - 12:15 pm NURSERY (3 years & under)
SR. PASTOR: Lynnae Sorensen
Office: 512-892-4040/Home: 512-899-2870; [email protected]
9:30 - 9:45 am COFFEE/FELLOWSHIP
(Reception Area)
ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Brad Highum
Cell: 512-914-6238; [email protected]
9:45 - 10:45 am LEARNING FOR ALL AGES
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR: Dawn Wetzel
Mon.—Fri., 8:00 am-4:00 pm; 512-892-4040; [email protected]
11:00 am WORSHIP (Sanctuary)
5:00 pm EVENSONG WORSHIP (Sanctuary)
ABIDING LOVE CHILDREN’S CENTER
DIRECTOR: Debbie Tonne
512-892-2777; [email protected]
abidinglove.org/cdc.html
Full-time program: M-F, 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Part-time program: T-F, 9:00 am - I:00 pm
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR: Joan Hokanson
Mon.—Fri., 8:30 am-4:30 pm; [email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS AND PR COORDINATOR: Diane Albin
Mon. 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Tue. 11:30-3:30 pm; Wed. 8:30 am-4:30 pm
[email protected]
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Karron Lewis
PIANISTS: Dona Brooks, Laurie Donovan, Karl Logue
NURSERY ATTENDANT: Sherry Petriella
WEBMASTER: Tom Hokanson; [email protected]
1
FROM THE COMMUNITY
Capital South Conference Gathering: Saturday, April 5, 2014, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Faith Lutheran Church, 6600 Woodrow Ave., Austin, 78757. All Clergy, Executive Committee members, voting members
to the 2014 Synod Assembly, people passionate about wider church ministry, and anyone else interested should plan to
attend.
At this year's annual gathering we will be electing a new conference chair and secretary, share insight about the
upcoming Synod Assembly, and have an opportunity to participate in one of the following breakout sessions:
 Social Justice in the Capital South Conference
 Intra-Congregational programming
 Utilizing modern technology and social media in the church
 How to lead a team
Living God's vision and encouraging each conference community to thrive is only possible through a collective effort. The
recommended giving of $3 per confirmed member helps turn this vision into a reality. Through the generous support of
each congregation’s offerings the conference has been able to subsidize multiple events for 20s and 30s ministry, assist
New Life Lutheran with necessary expenses, and support Bread for All food pantry. Thank you to all of the
congregations that support the conference! Please submit your RSVP no later than March 28 to Derek Mergele at
[email protected].
Texas Hill Country Wildflower and Winery Tour
The Membership Care Board is coordinating a trip to Fredericksburg for fellowship, shopping, St. Mary’s Catholic Church
tour, and Becker Vineyard tour with wine tasting. The tour is open to everyone.





Wednesday, April 30, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Travel by charter bus departing from and returning to Abiding Love
$20 per person plus lunch and optional wine tasting
-purchase lunch at restaurants in small groups or bring a sack lunch and
eat outside at picnic tables
-optional wine tasting at Becker Vineyard – fee is $12 for 6 tastings
Payment deadline April 13. Checks payable to Abiding Love
Call or e-mail Debra Ayoub to register at [email protected]
or 512-301-5438. There will also be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Evening Worship Experience at Abiding Love
Abiding Love welcomes the community to Evensong—a contemplative worship experience offered every Sunday at
5:00 pm. Evensong includes candles, simple repetitive songs, scripture, dialogue, and silence. It lasts about 40 minutes
and Holy Communion is offered during every service. Children are always welcome in worship! Evensong is for everyone: families, singles, new believers, skeptics, or busy people who want to slow down on Sunday evenings, or for people
who just might be looking for a different worship experience. All are welcome to Evensong!
Thanks to my church family...I am overwhelmed by all the beautiful cards, e-mails, telephone calls and gifts I
received from all of you for my 90th birthday. Every message brought me much joy and made for a special day. Also, a
very belated thank you for all the prayers, beautiful get-well messages and telephone calls from individuals, Food
Pantry volunteers, Tues. a.m. Bible Study, Hannah Circle sisters and hospital and home visits of Pastor Lynnae and
Pastor Brad during these past months while I have been ill at home. I have received much encouragement from all your
love and am so blessed to know my Abiding Love family is still very much a part of my life. Thank you so much from a
very grateful heart. In Christian love, Marcy Cornell
Thanks to Abiding Love for our CCLI music license! We appreciate your support for our mission! Jo Ann Schultz, New
Life Lutheran Church Leadership Team
UPCOMING EVENTS …
Blood Drive at Abiding Love – Sunday, April 6, 9:30-12:30



All types are needed as the Blood Mobile comes to Abiding Love.
Sign up online – www.inyourhands.org – Group Code: B100, or sign up in the church foyer.
You must be at least 17, 115 lbs., and feeling good!
Clear the decks and help support youth ministry
Saturday, May 10, in the church “front yard” …




Bring all your stuff at 8:00 am the day of the event.
Youth will be present to help you spread it out on tables and in the grass.
NO PRICING … all items will be “FREE” for the taking.
Shoppers will be asked to make donations in support of ALLC Youth
travelling to National Youth Gathering!
3
FROM PASTOR BRAD
Living
Resurrected
Lives
“United with him in a death like his …
united with him in a resurrection
like his.”
(Romans 6:5)
The Gospels are filled with stories of people whose lives are transformed by their encounters with Jesus. The ailing and
the afflicted, the wayward and the sinful, the wealthy and powerful, the poor and destitute, all experience profound
renewal and deliverance. In a very real sense, they undergo a death to new life. They experience the death of what
is old and false so that what is true and vital and lasting might be re-born in them. They go on to live resurrected
lives, transformed by the power of God in Christ.
The apostle Paul says this is foundational to understanding the power of God in our own lives. Revealed in the life
and ministry of Jesus, God is about the transformation of the world. The crucifixion and death of Jesus is emblematic
of the death of everything that is false and cut off from God. As Paul says, “We know that our old self was crucified
with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Romans 6:6) And,
just as “we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like
his.”
Irenaeus, one of the fathers of the early church said, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” It is in
the journey through the death of the false self and the resurrection of our authentic, true selves that we are set free to
be the people God created us to be. It is through this death that we become fully alive. And God’s invitation is to live
from there, from that place of resurrection. It is to live resurrected lives, no longer burdened by guilt and shame of
the past, nor fear and foreboding of what the future holds. It is to live as the people of God, raised to new life in him,
and following God’s calling to transform the world.
Beginning with the celebration of Easter, we will be focusing on stories of transformation. We will explore the stories
of people who were renewed, reborn, resurrected by encounters with the living Lord. And we will engage God’s
calling on all who will believe to live resurrected lives for the sake of the world today.
Worship at Abiding Love...All are welcome!
Wednesdays in Lent: April 2, 9
Lenten Worship with Holy Communion, 7:00 pm
Sundays in Lent: “Take up Your Cross Daily”
Worship with Holy Communion, 8:30 and 11:00 am
Learning for all Ages, 9:45 am
Evensong Worship with Holy Communion, 5:00 pm
Holy Week and Easter Day
Palm Sunday, April 13, 8:30 and 11:00 am, Worship with Holy Communion
Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:30 pm, Worship with Holy Communion
Good Friday, April 18, 7:30 pm, Worship
Easter Day, April 20, 8:30 and 11:00 am, Worship with Holy Communion
Light Brunch, April 20, 9:45 am
4
FROM THE WOMEN OF ABIDING LOVE
2014 Retreat: “In the Sanctuary of Women”
The retreat will be held at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange (1 1/2 hours east of Austin) 6:30 pm Friday, April 25 through noon Sunday, April 27.
This retreat will explore the riches of the lives of women in the church, including those who offered historical
significance. Their profound relationships with God can inspire people of every age. These women instill a unique optimism
toward God and toward life in this world as a pursuit of wisdom, holiness and truth. They teach and practice the spiritual arts with
hope and joy. We can learn skills and practices from them that can bring us closer to God. We will have Bible study, workshops
(including crafting, daily living, and spiritual growth) and free time with other optional activities. All women; young, old, mother,
daughter, sister, friends are welcome! The weekend will bring us together for learning, worship, fellowship, music, games, and
relaxation.
Registration and more information will be available April 6 in the Narthex.
Retreat Contact: Denise Alaimo 512-970-7838, [email protected].
You should be known for the beauty that comes from within,
the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
– 1 Peter 3:3-4
FROM THE STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE BOARD
With renovation activities at the Children’s Center underway, expenses from our Grace Capital Fund are accelerating in March.
You may recall that both our monthly mortgage payment and improvements are paid from offerings to the Grace Capital Fund.
If you are able, and separate from regular “ministry” offerings, it is a great time to consider an offering for this need. At the end of
February our Capital Fund balance was $42,168.
The regular annual ministry budget for 2014 is ambitious. Through February, offerings were 85% of expenses or $70,508 received
and $83,023 spent. There are numerous annual expenses that come due in January and giving is usually lower at the beginning of
the year, so this is not unusual. However it does require the staff and the Boards to be extra cautious in spending, which can slow
down some of the momentum for activities to fulfill our congregation’s mission.
Status reports will be provided to the congregation periodically, and more detail is provided monthly to the Council. If you have
questions about our financial activities, contact me at [email protected].
I just completed providing the financial information for our annual report to ELCA. When I identified all the many ministry
activities we support through individual offerings passed through the church and our budgeted offerings, it is clear that we are
Sharing God’s love through generosity. Thanks be to God!
Greta Rymal, Treasurer
FROM THE CONGREGATION COUNCIL
The following are highlights from the March 25, 2014, Abiding Love Council meeting:

The council approved a Child and Youth Abuse Prevention Policy, created by the Youth Ministries and Children’s
Ministries Boards.

Preliminary plans to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 were discussed with Bill Brophy
taking the lead. Please contact Bill to get involved: [email protected].

Loan documents for building renovations are in process.

Children’s Center renovations will be completed this week, followed by improvements to covered walkways
adjacent to the worship building. An open house will be celebrated on Palm Sunday, April 13. Activity center
renovations are still pending City of Austin permits.

The council approved the use of the worship building (sanctuary) for use by community groups. The Property
Board is creating guidelines for building use.
5
FROM WATER TO THRIVE
Thanks to Abiding Love Lutheran Church for funding another well in Ethiopia in 2014 through Water to Thrive. Your
passion and support will allow us to provide clean water to a community in the Tigray Region for up to 20 years.
Here is some more information about your well:
Country:
Region:
District:
Site:
GPS Coordinates:
Beneficiaries:
Ethiopia
Tigray
Adwa
May Daeru
Lat. 14.2936
250+
Long. 38.9357
In addition to providing clean, safe water to hundreds of people, this well will significantly reduce the amount of time
women and children spend collecting water. Women will gain the time they need to take better care of their families
and engage in income generating activities. Children will have more time to go to school and be absent less often as
water-related diseases become a thing of the past. Included in the cost of these projects is hygiene and sanitation
training for the community. Training is also provided to a local water committee that will be responsible for keeping
the well in tip-top condition.
To better visualize the impact of a well on people and the environment, the picture below on the left is an example
of a typical unimproved water source from this part of Tigray. The picture on the right is a well that was completed in
2013.
As the well’s sponsor, you will receive a final completion report, including pictures of the well and images of some of
the people whose lives you will have changed forever.
Anyone who is interested in further exploration of the water, history and culture of Ethiopia, might consider
The Ethiopia Experience with Bishop Mike Rinehart, May 11-21, 2014: http://gulfcoastsynod.org/events/ethiopia.
6
FROM THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE
2014 Crop Walk
The team from Abiding Love—approximately 28 donors and seven walkers—raised $795 to benefit the 2014 Crop Walk.
Thanks to Tom Hokanson and all contributors.
Baskets of Promise
Each Sunday in Lent, Abiding Love will collect different items to support Lutheran World Relief’s Baskets of Promise
appeal. The goal is to assemble 20 Personal Care Kits that give people around the world tools to stay healthy in life’s
most challenging situations. Place items in the basket on the table under the name tags.
March 30
April 6
April 13
Combs (no picks or fine toothed combs)
Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional)
Bars of Soap
Flat fold cloth diapers may also be brought any time during the month for baby kits.
IMPORTANT RECYCLE REMINDER!
If you have any of the following items to donate please bring them & help our following causes at any time year round!
“HELP THOSE IN NEED AND HELP SAVE GOD’S BEAUTIFUL CREATION!”
This is what we RECYCLE and how you can help. Donate! Used Printer Cartridges & Cell Phones to help earn $$’s for the
Capital Area Food Bank & benefit our Church Food Pantry. Plastic, Paper & Re-Useable Bags, Egg Cartons, Gently
Used Adult & Children’s Clothing & Books, Bedding and Bath Items and Unopened Personal Items (shampoo, lotion,
soap, etc); Eye Glasses & Hearing Aids all help benefit our Food Pantry Clients & Other Community Outreach Ministries.
Remember to bring any of these items to RECYCLE any time all year round and place them in the containers located by
the church office wing entrance.
Thank you for being a part of GOD’s Work, our Hands & the Abiding Love Lutheran Church Christian Service Team;
and please share these needs with your family and friends as we continue sharing God’s love with all! Contact Annette
Smith at 280-4533 or [email protected] for further information.
Prayer for Earth Day
Creator God,
We thank you for all that we have and for the joy that you give us through the beauty of the world you have created
for us. Help us to understand, and help us to help others understand, that our earth is ultimately a common heritage—
that its fruits were created by you for the benefit of all, now and in the future. Help us to see that how we care for the
common good of all people and all living things through the respect we show for creation is a
measure of our stewardship, our charity toward others, and our respect and love for you. Help us remember that as
your people we are responsible for caring for the earth, not just when it is convenient and financially easy, but during
each hour of each day, now and forever. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
7
FROM THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES BOARD
Confirmation Camp
Registration forms for Confirmation Camp are due to Pastor Brad by April 6.
Lent Services
All are welcome to Palm Sunday worship (April 13), Maundy Thursday Worship (April 17), Good Friday worship
(April 18) and Easter Sunday worship (April 20).
Flowering of the Cross
On Easter Sunday, April 20, all children are invited to Flower the Cross before each service. Flowers will be provided or
you may bring flowers from home. Please meet in the church narthex 10 minutes prior to the worship service. Flowering
of the Cross is open to everyone, so feel free to walk with your child to assist with the flowering. There will be no Godly
Play classes on Easter Sunday.
Planning Helpers Needed
Contact Kim Thonhoff (512-282-4480) by April 13 if you are interested in helping with course planning for upcoming
Godly Play classes. Planning begins in early May.
Thank you
- Thank you to Kimra Hamilton for taking care of all of the registration needs for our Upper Elementary Lent retreat.
- Thank you Paul Atkinson for fixing the broken wall tray and for creating PowerPoint slides for the Godly Play
opening.
- Thank you Mary Fetter for the Bible Book Songs and to Craig and Tom for helping us learn the songs!
- Thank you Mary Fetter for writing the Lent Devotionals that were sent home with the children on March 9. If you did
not receive your devotional, please pick one up in the second-floor Common Area.
Godly Play Updates
The children’s monetary offerings this month will be shared with WELCA’s Baskets of Promise needs. The children may
also choose to bring dark colored towels, nail clippers, toothbrushes, large tooth combs, and bars of soap.
Throughout April, we will continue our discussion of the books of the Bible in the Godly Play Opening. Encourage your
children to explore the Bible during family devotion time at home.
The Godly Play Parent Pages are available in the kiosk. Feel free to take a copy home and share the Godly Play stories
with your family.
Become a Godly Play Storyteller
ALLC is in need of Godly Play Storytellers. Attend training at your own pace with Commuter Core Training. Contact
Kim Thonhoff (512-282-4480) if you are interested in attending the April 5 or April 26 training class.
This Month’s Godly Play Lessons
April 6
0-3 yrs class: Faces of Easter
4 yrs - 1st Grade: Faces of Easter
2nd - 3rd Grade: The Greatest Parable, Part 3
4th - 5th Grade: The Greatest Parable, Part 3
April 13
0-3 yrs class: Faces of Easter
4 yrs - 1st Grade: Easter Eggs
2nd - 3rd Grade: Jesus and the Synagogue
4th - 5th Grade: Jesus and the Synagogue
April 20
No Godly Play Classes.
Please join us for Flowering of the Cross in the Sanctuary
before Service.
April 27
0-3 yrs class: Holy Family & Church Calendar
4 yrs - 1st Grade: Easter Eggs
2nd - 3rd Grade: Knowing Jesus in a New Way
4th - 5th Grade: Knowing Jesus in a New Way
8
FROM THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES BOARD
Upcoming Dates
April 8
Children's Ministries Board Mtg, 7:00 pm
April 9 & 16
Wednesday Evening Lent Services, 7:00 pm
April 13
Palm Sunday /Communion celebration
April 17
Maundy Thursday Worship Service
April 18
Good Friday Worship Service
April 19
Easter Egg Hunt, Sponsored by Middle School
April 20
Easter Sunday, “Flowering the Cross”
April 25-27
Women’s Retreat
April 26
Austin Area Godly Play Gathering (Location TBD), 10:00 am
FROM THE ABIDING LOVE CHILDREN’S CENTER
What a wonderful time of year! Here we are in the middle of Lent, the season when we prepare our hearts for Easter.
We are celebrating all types of renewal--both spiritual and physical. During the classroom Bible story times and our
group chapel gatherings, we continue to celebrate the life of Jesus and his example to us about how to help others and
treat each other well.
We are also noticing signs of renewal throughout nature. It is the season of finding bugs, watching caterpillars
transform, and seeing plants grow. Our classes are spending much time outdoors, enjoying all that this time of year
offers for exploration and learning.
And, there is another type of renewal going on at the Children's Center--the renovation and renewal of our full-time
classrooms. We are quite excited by the transformation made by wonderful new cabinetry, paint, and repairs. They
look fresh and new! We want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed in any way to making this happen.
As we go through this season, we are also aware that in a few short months some of our children will experience yet
another renewal, moving from the preschool years to the elementary school years. Although many tears are shed as
they move on, we are so excited that they are thriving and progressing through their young lives. We pray that we, in
partnership with the parents, have loved them much and prepared them well for the years ahead!
Blessings to all,
Debbie Tonne
Children’s Center Open House
Sunday, April 13
9
REMEMBERING OTHERS
BIRTHDAYS IN APRIL
Hugo Bazan 04/02
Lori Kuhl 04/20
IN OUR PRAYERS
Wanda Mauldin 04/03
George Krueger 04/21
Viviana Villalobos 04/21
Loraine Bazaan
Zolene Curlee
Marilyn Essinger
Harley Fetterman
Joan Hokanson
Michelle Wagg
Tracy Yetter
Jeff Roberts 04/04
Karin Matthys 04/05
Matthew Oertel 04/06
Kathy Palmer 04/06
Gloria Kizer 04/09
Joshua Verduzco 04/11
Carson Renfro 04/22
Cole Renfro 04/22
Michael Graeber 04/23
Forrest Yetter 04/23
Sue Verduzco 04/24
Kyle Ayoub 04/25
Gene Zimmermann 04/12
Drew Garcia 04/26
Megan Grimm 04/26
Michelle Olson 04/14
Betty Fuelberg 04/27
David Chiang 04/16
Benjamin Cochran 04/16
Janet Ryon 04/16
Jan Haas 04/28
Bill Hatcher 04/28
Elaine Oertel 04/28
Carol Koenig 04/18
Naomi Zimmermann 04/29
Brenna
Von Bieberstein
Margaret Borchardt (Assisted Living)
Christian-Charles dePlicque
Marcy Cornell
Evelyn Fuelberg (Retirement Living)
Edna Graeber (Assisted Living in Houston)
Jan Guenther (Pastor Lynnae’s aunt)
Hugh Heflin (moved to McKinney, Texas)
Ruth & R.H. Heidemeyer
Woody Joe (Assisted Living)
Blake Johnson
Marion Lewis
Al Metz (Assisted Living)
Georgia Mueller
Elsie & Einar Polso
Frances Wogenstahl (Gruene Senior Living, New Branfels)
Christie LeDuc, and all those in military service
04/30
ABIDING LOVE PRAYER CHAIN
To share a prayer concern that you would like communicated to the Abiding Love Prayer chain, send it to:
[email protected]
To be on the list to receive Prayer Chain Communications, contact Hal Schultz, 280-4999,
[email protected].
ABIDING LOVE MEMORIALS, WORSHIP PARTICIPATION, AND GIVING
This information will be updated in the May newsletter. See page 4 for a report from the Stewardship and Finance
Board.