May - Christ the King Lutheran Church
Transcription
May - Christ the King Lutheran Church
LO GO S C Chhrriisstt T Thhee K Kiinngg LLuutthheerraann C Chhuurrcchh 99880000 W W.. H Huugguueennoott RRdd.. RRiicchhm moonndd,, VVAA 2233223355 M Maayy 22001155 Last week I travelled to Indiana for the 67th Institute of Liturgical Studies that is Inside the Edition Page 1 From Pastor Randy From Pastor Randy 1-4 Church Council 5 El Salvador News 5-7 Women’s Fellowship 7-8 offered each year at Valparaiso University during the second week of Easter. This year’s theme was: “Sing A New Song – The Cosmos in Praise and Lament.” And much of what was presented and discussed at the event comes to mind as I consider the fifth and final part of the Baptismal Affirmation vow we have been Friends of Tent of Nations 8-9 exploring as a congregation these last Senior News few months: “To strive for justice and 9-10 Virginia Supportive Housing 10 peace in all the earth.” Picnic 11 I appreciate that those who were crafting Silent Auction 11 the language for the Lutheran Book of Education 11-12 Caroline Furnace 12 Prayer Ministry 13-14 Time & Talent Sunday 14 Worship (and also Evangelical Lutheran Worship) used the word “earth” and not the word “world.” The word “world” is often associated only with humanity and human cultures and institutions. The Birthdays & Anniversaries 15 word “earth,” on the other hand, brings Contact Information immediately to mind the planet, its 16 physical and chemical processes, its This vision is laid out for us in Jesus’ habitats and ecosystems, and all the non- Sermon on the Mount: human creatures that share the planet with us. This is critical to remember, because we have come to a point in the history of the human race and of the planet earth where the work of justice and peace needs to start with addressing the rapid acceleration of climate change, species extinction, and resource depletion that are a result of the ever-increasing demands of the human species. The human population is now growing at an exponential rate, and the current economic model is dependent on unlimited growth and expansion despite the earth being a closed and finite system. The signs are all around us that we are pushing the limits on the earth’s capacity to sustain this human project. As those baptized into the crucified and risen body of Jesus Christ, we Christians have been freed to “enter the Kingdom of God” – to imagine and to enact a way of life that trusts God for the basic necessities of life, stores up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, and makes room for the rest of creation. 2 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. In this short passage Jesus diagnoses our root problem – an anxiety about our wellbeing on the planet and our attempt to secure our lives at all costs and to surround ourselves with more than enough of everything, just in case. This whole dynamic has driven us to accept an economic system that, as Wendell Berry, a farmer and poet from Kentucky, economic system was plantation slavery. Rasmussen then compared our own historical moment to that of the mid-19th century by identifying a new masterslave relationship: humanity as the master, and the rest of earth and creation as our slaves. And just as the 19th-century system resulted in a Civil War, the 150th anniversary of which we have been observing these past few years, the signs of slave rebellion and revolt are all around us even now. This analogy captured my attention at the Institute and has been haunting me ever since. puts it, “is firmly founded on the seven Slave-holding Christians had a hard time deadly sins, and the breaking of all ten seeing the evil and injustice on which of the Ten Commandments.” The their way of life was founded. It has problem is: we can’t imagine life apart taken decades for the hostility and from the economy in which we live. And violence on which that system was based so how can we begin to change it? to slowly heal and give way to equality At the Institute, one of the plenary speakers, Larry Rassmussen, spoke of a time, only 150 years ago, when a large portion of the human population had accepted and was dependent on an and civil rights. Likewise in our own day, we have a hard time seeing how our life of consumption keeps earth and its creatures, including millions of human persons, in a virtual state of slavery. economic system that was morally and What’s also telling in this passage is how spiritually bankrupt but which they Jesus calls our attention to the birds of could not imagine living without; that the air and to the lilies of the field and 3 thus compels us to include them in our some left over; we learn that everyone is deliberations. The earth and its systems welcome and no one should be alone. In and creatures do not exist only for our our sanctuary we even have the sound of use and certainly not for our greed, but running water and the sight of beautiful they have an integral worth and dignity rocks set into the chancel wall to remind of their own which we are called to us of mountains and streams and the recognize and respect. As we derive life ongoing unfolding of this planet in all its and livelihood from the material and mystery and wonder. creatures of creation, we are called to do As we prepare to refresh and renew our so with deep gratitude and reverence. membership in the congregation at the Thus, striving for justice and peace for end of the month, and to affirm the humanity begins first by striving for the baptism that has brought us into the kingdom of God and its righteousness, Kingdom of God’s beloved Son, let us which is to be found in the crucified and consider the ways we can strive for risen Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. We justice and peace in our daily decisions become a part of that Body by having about food, water, clothing, technology, water poured over us in the name of the energy, transportation, and the like – by Triune God – water that is essential to becoming more aware of how those the life of all plants and animals and will decisions affect the earth and all of its only get more precious and scarce as we creatures, repenting of destructive waste and misuse it without so much as a behaviors, and embracing choices that thought. We are nourished in that Body are healing and beneficial. Even as we by bread and wine consecrated at the continue our ministry to human Lord’s Table – bread and wine that have neighbors in need both nearby and become toxic for many because of around the globe. genetic modifications and poisonous Justice and peace, after all, like charity, soils. Even so, we learn at that table that begins at home. God provides enough – but not too much – for everybody, and that there is even 4 Humbly yours, in Christ, Pastor Randy income. While the Council is committed to making the difficult decisions about which expenses must be trimmed to meet our budget, I would invite each and every member to prayerfully consider whether you have given each week as you At the December 2014 semi-annual meeting, the voting members present passed the 2015 budget which was presented form the Congregational Council as a "challenge" budget, meaning that theproposed 2015 budeget exceeded what members had pledged for the 2015 year. When I presented this budget I explained that the Congregational Council worked very have been called to give. Whether it is your time, your talent, or your treasure, there are always opportunities at Christ the King to give of those things to further Christ's work and I urge you to consider giving what you can to further our work at CTK. Salvadoran Lay Pastor has family in Henrico County hard and spent many hours trying to match the budget with the pledges, but was hesitant in the end to make cuts to programs that are vital to the work, mission and ministry of Christ the King. Our budget items include our monthly benevolence to the Virginia Synod by which we support the mission and ministry of the wider Church. If you attended our 50th anniversary With that said, the Council reviews worship service March 29th there’s a good income and expenses at each monthly chance you met Christian Chavarria. He meeting, and for the first quarter of this is a lay pastor at a Lutheran mission year, our expenses have exceeded our congregation in Colderitas, El Salvador 5 and is among the Salvadoran people the why the sanctuary was so ugly. He was CTK work group met there in January. told that they couldn’t spend money on His plans to be in Richmond visiting the building while people were starving. family at the time of our anniversary Pastor Christian promised to build a new came to pass. With him were two of his church when he grew up. Today, Pastor sisters, Flor and Veronica, who live in Christian is working hard to keep his Henrico County, his niece Jasmine and promise. A talented artist, he specializes his nephew, Enrique, who goes by in painting wooden crosses in a one “QueQui.” Pastor Christian is one of the dimensional style. Between his speaking survivors of El Salvador’s civil war. At engagements and art sales, he has raised the age of 13, he witnessed the murder more than $50,000 and needs help raising of his siblings. He was left for dead after $100,000 toward the new church. His goal being thrown against a concrete wall. He was to dedicate the new building on Aug. survived and became a refugee of 6, 2014. That has not happened for a Resurrection Lutheran Church which is variety of reasons. Part of the delay is no the home of the Lutheran Church in El doubt due to a lag in fund raising. Just Salvador. Pastor of Resurrection recently, the authorities approved Lutheran Church is the Rev. Medardo rebuilding the structure using the same Gomez, who is the Bishop of El materials. This restriction is due to the Salvador. Bishop Gomez was like a father building’s location in a historic district to Pastor Christian and paid for his where new designs are not permitted. schooling. He even paid for music The CTK group attended worship lessons, insisting that Christian must services at Resurrection on Jan. 18. It was know how to play “A Mighty Fortress” a full house. During the service, there on a keyboard for certain services, such was a surprise visit from the vice as the Cristo Rey dedication. For many president of El Salvador, who is working years Pastor Christian has recognized the with the Salvadoran leadership and the need for extensive renovation at church to allow a re-building or Resurrection Lutheran Church. As a renovation of Resurrection Lutheran teenager, he even asked Bishop Gomez 6 Church. Lutherans make up about one percent of the population of El Salvador, a predominantly Catholic country. A newly renovated building for Resurrection Lutheran Church will go a long way in offering services, programs and ministries to the community. Claire Capel CHILDREN’S DUFFLE BAGS The 2014 2015 Project for the Virginia Synodical Women's Organization (VSWO) is to give children who are removed from their home because of abuse or neglect, a tote bag to call their own. Usually these children carry their belongings in a trash bag. The bag can be a duffle bag or a tote bag that you sew from scratch. Or you can embroider or add your personal touch to a bag you purchase. This is a chance to bag up some hope and love for these children by providing them with their own personal bag. The goal for the VSWO is to provide 300 bags. Bag patterns are available by e-mail or you can use your imagination. If you would like the patterns, please contact Sherry Frye by e-mail address [email protected] or call 804-739-4801. 7 Please note the May CTK Women’s Meetings as listed below: PRISCILLA CIRCLE will meet on Tuesday, May 12th, at 10am at CTK in the Conference Room to continue the Bible Study entitled TRANSFORMING LIFE & FAITH. This will be Session 9- "THE CHURCH TRANSFORMING AND REFORMING. " Bring your Bible or Land and hearts were deeply scarred with the destruction by Israeli bulldozers of 1500 trees ready for harvest in the use one there. We look forward to seeing you. Valley at Tent of Nations near GINTER HALL BIBLE STUDY meets Thursday, MAY 14th, at 10am. the grace of God and through the labor CIRCLE OF FAITH will meet on May 12th & 26th at 7pm at the church. We are continuing to collect manufacture coupons for the military (We can't use store coupons. We will continue reading LAUGH YOUR WAY TO GRACE, RECLAIMING THE SPIRITUAL POWER OF HUMOR by Rev. Susan Sparks. If you would like a book, please contact Sherry Frye at [email protected] or 804-739-4801. THE HOLY TEARERS meet Tuesday, April 19, 2015. The quilting group makes beautiful quilts of love for donation to various groups. The quilters could use sheets for backing of the quilts, any size or color will be useful. We hope you will join us in May. All women of Christ The King are members of the Women of the ELCA. Go to the website www.womenoftheelca.org to learn more about the organization. Sherry Frye 8 Bethlehem, Palestine, May 19, 2014. By of many Christians, Jews, and Muslims from around the world, the valley is replanted with about 1000 trees. It will be a number of years before they are mature enough to bear fruit. Our CTK member, George Nassar, one of the nine siblings of the Nassar family who own the farm, was encouraged by participating there mid-January to early march in pruning, planting, and family time. We at Chrsit the King, continue to pray for the peace and environmental ministry on the farm, “Daher’s Vineyard,” owned by the Nassars since 1916. Matilda Nassar and friends planned and implemented a “Peace Month” this April at Roanoke College. Daoud, whom we have hosted at CTK several times, was to be present to talk about “People Building Bridges…Bridges of Peace!” at about another gathering at CTK to Tent of Nations. Because he was in the continue growing in knowledge and midst of delivering more proof of participation in this ministry which ownership papers to Israeli courts, follows Jesus’ Way of peace through non- Daoud was present by Skype rather than violence without being victims. In the in person. About fifty people from the meantime, check the website college, the community, and as far as www.FOTONNA.org to learn more about Tennessee participated in presentation how people working for peace with and discussion. Our Virginia Synod justice are working as Friends of Tent of assistant to the bishop, Pr. David Nations North America. Contact George Delaney, asked the important questions, Nassar or Pr. Liz Yates anytime for “Where is the hope in this difficult and conversation. Let’s plan a trip together! ongoing situation” The answer came in a number of ways, but especially, “With the youth of the world.” On the ground in the Middle East and around the glove, youth are asking new and better questions and refusing to be bound to the division and difficulties of the MAY 14TH – “INDOOR PICNIC” established order. God is doing a new Join us on thing led by His “Easter people” who Thursday, know life out of death through Jesus May 14th Christ! at noon in On Pentecost, May 24th, we will plant Fellowshi an apple tree on our grounds at Christ p Hall for the King as a sign of our participation in our the peace and community of the Tent of Indoor Picnic. D&D Diner will prepare Nations where the motto is We refuse to the meal. Bring a friend; we’re a friendly be enemies. Watch for announcement group! A free will offering will be collected to cover the cost of the food. 9 MAY 28TH We will leave the church parking lot at 8 NATIONAL D-DAY The cost of admission and tour is $10.00. MEMORIAL IN BEDFORD Mark your calendar for our day trip to Bedford to tour the National D-Day a.m. in order to have a morning tour. Veterans receive a free tour. We will eat lunch in Bedford and return to the church in the late afternoon. Drivers will be needed. Sign up on the Inreach bulletin board. Call Donna Finney, 4924960 for more information. Memorial. TripAdvisor has rated the memorial as the #1 Tourist Attraction in Virginia. Located in Bedford, Virginia, the community suffering the highest per capita D-Day losses in the nation. The National D-Day Memorial honors the Allied forces that participated in the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 during World War II. With its stylized English Garden, haunting invasion tableau, and striking Victory Plaza, the Memorial stands as a powerful permanent tribute to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of D-Day participants. The Memorial is encompassed by the names of the 4,413 Allied soldiers who died in the invasion, the most complete list of its kind anywhere in the world. 10 VSH MEAL ON… SATURDAY, RD MAY 23 the auction results are being tallied, there will be a cake walk and bake sale. Donations of baked goods or auction items are also being accepted from the congregation. May 2nd Congregation & Neighborhood Picnic NEEDS!!! We will be preparing food for 250 people for the picnic. To ensure a successful event, we need to borrow: several canopies for additional tables outside of the pavilion and help with setting up the canopies and food lines; 2) three or four large ice chests; volunteers to grill the hot dogs and hamburgers on the outside grill; 3 or 4 people to help in the kitchen on Saturday to do the last minute food preparation and to and keep the food stocked; several volunteers to help with cleanup after the picnic. Please volunteer to support these needs by contacting Donna Finney at 492-4960 or [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your support. We want to put our best foot forward for our neighbors and with your help, I am sure we will shine!! SILENT AUCTION & BAKE SALE/CAKE WALK – May 2nd at 4pm As a youth group fundraiser for the Gathering, each participant is preparing a themed basket or item that will be auctioned off in a silent auction. While 11 FAMILY NIGHT Our final Family Night before the summer will be May 13 at 6:15 p.m. Come join us for dinner and a service project to reach our homebound members. During the summer months (June, July, August), there will be no Family Night programs. However, there will be monthly Picnic and Prayer in the Pavilion on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:15. I hope to see many of you there. SUNDAY SCHOOL May 17 will be our last regular Sunday school class of this school year. There will be no Sunday school on May 24 and May 31, due to combined worship services at 10 a.m. Our summer Sunday school will begin June 7, with children of all ages meeting in the fellowship hall. CONFIRMATION We will celebrate the Affirmation of Baptism on Sunday, May 31. There will be a picnic in the pavilion following the worship service. Stay tuned for more details. Vacation Bible School 2015 – God Calls! Sunday, July 19-Thursday, July 23. Dinner will be at 5:30, with the program to follow from 6-8 p.m. Registration will begin in May. Caroline Fur nace Lutheran Camp Work done on Cabin 1 12 Prayer Ministry For Members in need of health and healing: Gail Drummond, Jan Dumitru, Carolyn Grimm, Anna Hoyle, Julia Jones, Carol and Steve Kozlowski, Sherry Meyerson, Gail Moore, Terry Redding, Judy Snellings, Sam Waldron, Diane Winn, Audrey Woodcock For extended family and friends in need of health and healing: Robert Bechtold - brother-in-law of Ed Boulanger, Roland & Jewell Bernard parents of Stephen Bernard, Sam Brake Jamie Mahoney’s nephew, Joy Bruce friend of Pastor Yates, Janet Bruns former member, David Carr - father of Pastor Chris Carr, Athena Conte - friend of the Lowes, Tom Cooke - husband of one of Jan Dumitru’s coworkers, Madison Danner - granddaughter of Winfree Mountcastle, Barbara Downey - friend of Carolyn Grimm, Christopher Dumitru - son of Bob & Jan Dumitru, Caitlain East - Ron Phillips’ cousin, Mary East - Ron Phillips’ aunt, Faye Eissey - mother of 13 friend of Karen Schumm, Ryan Godlove - friend of Renee Balentine, Tracy Green - friend of Anne Hamilton, Marvin Grimm - son of Carolyn Grimm, Jack Harris - father of Nancy Lohr, Davy Heckman - friend of Kathy Jones, Duncan & Sharon Holmes friends of Ann Van Dyke, Taylor Jones & Family - friend of Ruth Varney, Jeanne Kemp - mother of Brent Kemp, Pauline Kirchoff, friend of the Hutchinsons, Adrian Landers - daughter-in-law of the Landers, Hailey Lane - friend of The Brooks family, Lina - friend of The Hutchinson Family, Gary Lowe - brother of Wayne Lowe, Wilda and Custer Maynor - parents of Deborah Demmler, Trevor McCormick - friend of The Holahan Family, Michael Family cousin of Pastor Moose, Deborah Mitchell - Alberta Smith’s granddaughter, Adele Moore & Family, Jean Moore - niece of Judy Snellings, Wyatt Moots - great-grandson of Winfree Mountcastle, Melanie Niemela granddaughter of Mark Killian, Joan Perry - friend of Hanne Heymann, Jo Potter - cousin of Claire Capel, Desiree Ramus - great-granddaughter of Carolyn Grimm, Richard & Ruth Reece - parents of Debbie Reinhart, Eileen Rowe - friend of Barbara Goehle, Richard Sampson cousin of Claire, Wayne, Valarie Schumm & Family - brother/sister in law of Karen Schumm, Cameron Sims grandson of J.D. & Donna Finney, Charlotte Steele - friend of Anne Van Dyke, Velma Stuckey - grandmother of Renee Balentine, Judy Suder - mother of Danielle Ripperton, John & Marsha Tinglestat - former members, Heather Villari - niece of Jim Freund, Declan Whitaker - son of Brent Kemp’s cousin, Eileen Williams - friend of Anne Kemp Time & Talent Sunday Sunday, May 17th, is Christ The King’s Homebound Members: Rebecca Aguilar, Virginia Degenhardt, Alfonso (Dooley) Dixon, Carolyn Grimm, David Kallio, Jackie Lohr, Alberta Smith annual Time & Talent Sunday. Homebound Non Members: Clayton “Pop” Curtis, Nancy Kay understand the value and use of our MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES: Lt. Col. Dan Canfield, Major Eric Doctor, Sgt. Mike Dumitru, Corporal Randy Graville, Capt. James P. Guthrie, Spc. Chris Phillips, Chief Petty Officer Scott Recher II, Gunnery Sgt Steven Ramus, AIC Erika Snellings, Staff Sgt. Jason Tracoma, Lt. Andrew L. West CTK COLLEGE & GRADUATE STUDENTS: Matthew Aronson, Madison Burgett, Patrick Freund, Lindsay Grohowski, Julia Holahan, Scott Holahan, Larisa Hoyle, Julia Jones, Natalie Lohr, Madison Lowe, Gail Moore, Sam Murch, Matilda Nassar, Nadine Nassar, Suzanna Powell, Victoria Proctor, Kathleen Reinhart, Nick Thompson, Max Waldron, Sam Waldron *Please notify the church office if there are any on the prayer list that can be removed so we may celebrate answered prayers. Also, notify the office or email jojo.shorter @verizon.net should you have a college student that is not on the list. Leading up to May 17th there will be presentations offered to help better God given time and talents, which should be shared with our church and community. We all have time and talents to share. Some have more than others of one or both, but the important point is that we should share what we have with God through Christ The King, just as we share some part of our treasure through weekly Sunday envelope offerings. The 2015-16 CTK Time & Talent booklet and sign-up sheets will be in your mailboxes by May 3rd for you to review. We ask that the sign-up sheets be returned on May 17th at either service. Watch for upcoming opportunities between now and May 17th to learn more about sharing with others. Thank you – Stewardship Committee 14 27 Jeff Kwitchen, Tito Fortis 28 Chuck Reid 29 John Brenner 31 Nancy Haar 10 Bruce Hutchinson 2 Wayne & Leah Lowe 11 Adam Goehle 9 Scott & Nina McCord 1 Kari Sims 3 Amanda Schneider 4 Lorin Roemhildt 5 Karen Schmidt 7 Tim Christmas, David Fournier 14 Wyatt Kwitchen 11 Henry Hagen, Mike Kerckhove, 15 Jack Shearer, Renee Ballentine, Stephanie Korneke 17 Phillip Shearer, Dan Kwitchen, Deanna Billett, Ray Van Dyke, Ian Brooks 12 Pete & Carla Waldron 14 Bob & Caroline Lenhart 15 Gary & Kathy Huey 19 Andrew & Stacy McKeague 21 Dennis & Joyce Riggle 21 John & Jamie Mahoney 22 Bob & Jan Dumitru 18 Doug Noel 27 Brent & Anne Kemp 20 Austin Lambert, Eric Brooks, Jackie Lohr 31 Drew & Megan Caton 21 Paul Wittenbraker, Rebecca Rysinski 22 Ann Clyde 23 Jeremy Hariprasad, Nancy Tyler, Sarah Lambert, Anne Adkins 24 Mary Fournier 25 Tom Roemhildt, Margie McLean 26 Lexi Ellis 15 Please contact Lindy Moore in the church office if your name is not included on the birthday and anniversary listing. Thank you! Contact Information Christ The King Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 9800 West Huguenot Road Richmond, Virginia 23235 Office: (804) 272-2995 Fax: (804) 272-2090 Website: ctkrva.org Sunday Schedule Worship (Organ-led) 8:30 a.m. Adult Ed. & Children’s Music 10:00 a.m. Worship (Band-led) 11:00 a.m. CTK Staff: Randall N. Lohr, Pastor [email protected] Christopher D. Carr, Pastor [email protected] Lindy Moore, Administrative Assistant & LOGOS Editor [email protected] Beverly Edwards, Organist/Choir Director [email protected] Ian Patrick, Cornerstone Band Leader [email protected] Renee Ballentine, Christian Education Coordinator [email protected] 16