April 2015 - Christ Lutheran Church
Transcription
April 2015 - Christ Lutheran Church
April 2015 ::WORSHIP SCHEDULE:: Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. TradiƟonal in the Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. The Bridge in Christ Chapel 11:15 a.m. Contemporary in the Sanctuary Sunday School 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. Please “Like” us on Facebook Christ Lutheran Church - CharloƩe Check out our blog ChristELCA.org/the-pastors-blog 2• C HRISTLUTHERAN Christ Connections {PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE } Small Groups. Big Results. Pastor Scott Suskovic Community is being formed. Discussions are going deep. And lives are being changed. Last summer about 60 individuals went through a five part training program I led to be a small group leader. We covered small group dynamics, resources to use, frequency of meetings and then shared with one another what the focus of each of our groups would be. I was thrilled with the variety and creativity. We had men’s groups and women’s groups; Bible studies and book studies; social groups and service groups. In all, we launched about 40 small groups last September and all but a handful were successful. Some even had to divide immediately into two or three groups. The stories I hear coming out of these groups are life giving. People are building relationships with others in ways that you simply cannot when you pass one another briefly at church on Sunday mornings. Community is being formed. Discussions are going deep. And lives are being changed. If you missed that push to sign up last fall, you haven’t lost out. I want to offer you two ways that you can still get involved in this small group initiative at Christ Lutheran. First, you can join an existing small group that still has room. There are a handful remaining. Simply reach out to the contact person for the group that interests you to find out about meeting times and places: T.G.I.F (Thank God it’s Friday)-Jane Williamson ([email protected]) Thursday Mornings for Women-Deb Borkey ([email protected]) Living for Christ-Jo-Dee Collins ([email protected]) Holy Happy Hour-Stacie Loizeaux ([email protected]) Flower Arranging Small Group- Alice McRorie ([email protected]) Moms with a Mission- Linda Artis ( [email protected]) Caring for the Caregivers- Brad Keller ([email protected]) Walk the Walk- Kathy Graham ([email protected]) Faith and Film- June Jebram ([email protected]) Running Group- John Shurley ([email protected]) Second, we will have another push this fall to sign up for small groups. But to do that, we need more small group leaders. Is that you? Is God calling you to start a small group? If you are interested in being a small group leader, I will repeat the training this coming summer. Please contact me if you would like to be trained and I will get you ready to launch your own small group this fall. As Christ Lutheran gets larger, we need to think in terms of getting smaller. Gone are the programs where we can have the whole church come out for a picnic or a potluck. If we are going to grow as a community, we need to get small and focus on intimate relationships in which we can share faith, hopes, dreams, fears and lives with one another. Peace, Pastor Scott C HRISTLUTHERAN Prayer Vigil Why Pray?... For An Hour? by Joanie Hunt For those new to Christ Lutheran or those who have never attended a Prayer Vigil before, let me tell you all about it. If you have questions regarding the Prayer Vigil or Prayer Path that aren’t answered here, please call Joanie Hunt at (704)998-8164. What is a 24-Hour Prayer Vigil? It is intercessory prayer for the needs/concerns of others. It is held in the Lackey Chapel on Maundy Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. and continues every hour through Good Friday at 7 p.m. (the Tenebrae Service immediately follows in the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.). A Prayer Leader will start and close each hour. How is it Done? On the altar in the Lackey Chapel, there will be stacks of prayer requests from the congregation (sample prayer request slip is shown below). You will go to the altar, grab a stack, go back to your pew and quietly pray to God about each request. Not Sure You Can Pray for an Entire Hour? Most people say, “the hour just flew by!” and they could not believe it was over so fast. When you are finished praying over one stack, return them to the altar and grab a new stack. Continue this throughout the hour. Christ Connections •3 Are the Prayers Confidential? Yes - these prayer requests are completely confidential between you and God alone. It is not “news” to be spread about. Most prayers are anonymous. Why Do We Do This? It is written in scripture that we should “pray for one another” (James 5:16). “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). “Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). God invites us to pray for others. Where Can I Sign up? Sign-up boards will be in the Lower Commons and in the back of Christ Chapel (Narthax). Please sign up for an hour of prayer as a “supporter” for the Prayer Leader. If you don’t sign up, just show up! Everyone is welcome! Individuals! Small groups! Sunday school classes! Prayer Path The Prayer Path will be available in the Forum from Maundy Thursday through Good Friday at 7 p.m. It takes 53 minutes to walk thru the Prayer Path. There are 13 Stations to stop at, reflect, and meditate. You will listen to a CD (using a headset-provided for you) where the words of Jesus are spoken to you. As What Kind of Prayer Requests Will I See? The prayer requests could be to pray for a loved one or friend you walk, you will listen to spiritual music and singing. The room is darkened, lit by candles, and you follow a who is sick, struggling through divorce, experiencing a job “path” from Station 1 to Station 13. loss or suffering from depression. It could be for guidance or for a student in school or safe travel for someone who is Please stop by the Forum and walk the Prayer Path. Take traveling. It could be a prayer of praise to God! time to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). 4• C HRISTLUTHERAN Christ Connections It’s Time to Update Our Church Directory! Do you ever see people and wonder what their names are? Have you ever heard an announcement regarding a member and wished you could put a face with a name? Are you a new member and wish you had something to help you put names with faces? Help is on the way! We are producing a new pictorial directory! There is no cost to our church, and each participating family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and directory and have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits to share with family and friends. Portrait sessions are as follows: Wednesday-Friday Saturday-Sunday May 6-8 May 9-10 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday Saturday May 12-15 May 16 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday Saturday May 19-22 May 23 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. June 5 June 6 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday Saturday Sign up today! Go to christelca.org and click on the Lifetouch banner. Legacy Planning Do you have a will? Have you ensured the impact of your legacy? Is it up to date? About 55% of adults in America do not have a will. This means that their estate will be tied up in probate for six months to two years with taxes and fees eroding at the principle. For those who do have a will, many have not updated it in the last five years to take advantage of current legal and tax codes. It can all be avoided with some planning. Christ Lutheran would like to offer basic estate planning to our members. We have invited lawyers, financial planners and insurance agents to help us sift through all the material and answer your questions. They will not be soliciting business but instead providing you with a checklist to put your estate in order or that of your aging parents. Each seminar will provide a lunch and presentations from 12:30 to 3:00 on the following Sundays at the church: May 17, July 12, September 27 and November 28, 2015. This is free of charge but you must RSVP so we can plan ahead. Contact Connie in the church office, 704-366-1595. Isn’t it time to put your financial house in order? Christ Connections •5 Who You Gonna Call? C HRISTLUTHERAN by Pastor Tenny The family and friends came from all over the country. Members of the church had taken meals to the family during the extended illness. And the funeral was a time not only to express our grief, but was even more a time to celebrate life and to support one another. I’ve been to few funerals where the community showed up in such great numbers, and stayed all day—traveling from the church service to the cemetery, and then back to the church for a meal. Everyone came together to laugh, cry, reconnect, share stories and to help one another get through a difficult time of loss. The church family was there, too. But it was only because the family had called us from the very beginning to let us know about the situation—even though they were in a hospital out of town. For several weeks, we talked and prayed over the phone lines, exchanging virtual hugs with each other. We took meals to the family members who were still here in town, and offered pastoral care through a variety of persons. We often find that there are times when families would welcome a pastoral visit, a phone call from a concerned church member or a note of encouragement. But sometimes, we just don’t know about the situation. We’re constantly surprised at the number of times we (the church staff) find out about someone being in the hospital, or about the struggles of someone dealing with an aging family member in another state, an accident or some other kind of loss—not directly from the church member… but from Facebook! It’s amazing what we share with people on Facebook, but we don’t think to share with our church family. So, if something is going on in your life, we ask that you remember (as you’re typing in your post on FB) to let the church know also. Call us. We want to help. We want to pray with you and for you. But we need to know. Upcoming April Events Sunday April 19th • 12:45 p.m. Lunch at Qdoba 8200 Providence Road – Suite 100 Look for the SALT Table – this is Christ Lutheran’s Sunday at Qdoba. Saturday April 25th • 5:30 p.m. Dinner at Treehouse – Southpark 4423 Sharon Rd. Email [email protected] for questions, to RSVP to events or to join our mailing list. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2) Special Thanks The residents at Trinity Place, a Lutheran retirement home in Albemarle, NC thank you again for the wonderful Christmas gifts! The residents so appreciated your kindness and generosity. We appreciate your making their Christmas so special. -Trinity Place Thank you to the volunteers and the Thursday Morning Women’s Bible Study who helped me move recently. Your kindness is most appreciated! -Peggy Jennings 6• C HRISTLUTHERAN Christ Connections The Charlotte Knights ARE BACK! Christ Lutheran Church is hosting another night of baseball with the Charlotte Knights! We have secured a special price of $16 per ticket to the May 2nd game against the Scranton Rail Riders (minor league for the New York Yankees). Tickets will be on sale at Cornerstone Gifts starting April 19th. Limit 5 tickets per person. See you at the ballpark! Agapé Kure Beach Ministries Spring Opportunities Spring Golf Outing • Monday, April 20th at Lochmere Golf Club, Cary. Help us send kids to camp. This event raises campership funds to help those who otherwise could not financially afford a week of Faith Formation at a Christian Camp. Camp Agapé Work Day • Saturday May 2nd from 9 a.m. to 3:00. Great day to focus on Servant learning for youth and families. Help us prepare camp for summer! Mother/Daughter overnight May 8 & 9, at Camp Agapé. Come and celebrate the joy of life with other moms and daughters. Activities will include worship, devotions, singing, Bible Study, crafts, relaxation, great food featuring a fancy breakfast banquet and more! AGAPÉ-GANZA/Open House • Sunday, May 17th from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Hike the trails, meet the staff, enjoy nature activities and learn about the 2015 summer camp program. Win a Campership in a fun Ball toss. Activities are FREE. It will be a fun family day! Bring a Pie for the pie-tasting contest, and get your youth to enter the Gaga Ball Tournament! SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION – Now is the time to get your children signed up for a Christian Camp experience! Visit our website for more information. Campership funds are available. For more information, go to agapekurebeach.org Agapé Kure Beach Ministries 1369 Tyler Dewar Lane Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 (919) 552-9421 email [email protected] C HRISTLUTHERAN Christ Connections •7 {YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS} Elementary students with Kevin Vandiver as Moses at our recent Stepping Stone Story Day event. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC 4519 Providence Road • Charlotte, NC 28226 return service requested Christ Connections April 2015 Scott Suskovic, Senior Pastor Drew Goodson, Pastoral Care Tennyson Shifley, Welcome and Music Mark Glaeser, Minister of Music Kevin Vandiver, Director of Family Ministry Amy Daniels, Director of Service and Outreach Gregg Huether, Director of Property and Finance Christ Lutheran Church 4519 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28226 christelca.org phone 704|366|1595 Permit No. 1741