April 2015 Herald - Christ the King Lutheran Church

Christ the King Lutheran Church
499 Plaza Drive
Vestal, NY 13850
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Herald
APRIL 2015
The sacred events of Holy week are upon us. We begin our annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to witness the acts of God,
which make our faith today possible. We move from waving palms and hosannas, to secret meetings in Upper Rooms, to
trials and beatings, an execution and burial, and, finally, to an empty tomb. These holy events flow together as one integral whole. Easter makes no sense without Good Friday. Maundy Thursday is just an ordinary meal except for Christ’s
sacrifice offered the following day, and so on. Therefore, I implore you to participate in all of the events of Holy Week.
To skip from Palm Sunday to Easter is to leave out the “guts” of the story… Today, I’m simply encouraging you to experience the entire journey with Jesus… Spend the week with him and us… Have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.
~ Pastor Norma
HOLY WEEK WORSHIP
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday begins the sacred drama of Holy Week. Once again this year there will be one worship service at 10:00
AM. Worship will begin on the sidewalk/Parking Lot (weather permitting) with a palm procession. During worship,
we’ll hear the moments leading up to and including the plot to kill Jesus.
Christ The King
Lutheran Church
499 Plaza Drive
Vestal NY 13850
Phone: 607-729-2688
Christ the King is Full of...
Hearts Loved By God
Hands to Serve All
Through Jesus Christ
We are a Reconciling in Christ
congregation. We are called by
Christ to care for, love, understand, and listen to each other,
regardless of race, age, gender
and gender identities, marital
status, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientations, national
origin, or economic status.
Staff
Pastor – Rev. Norma Malfatti
[email protected]
Church Administrator — Marsha Pulz
[email protected]
Music Director – Jim Ford
[email protected]
Nursery Staff- Jane Davis
Sexton- Gary Robertson
Congregational Council
President: Rachel Schwartz
Vice-President: Kevin Allen
Secretary: Jody Fiorentino
Treasurer: Eric Donaldson
Todd Eames
Karen Erdman
Kathy Leonard
Megan O’Hearn
Carol Strano
Financial Secretary: Phil Roberts
Worship Schedule
Sunday:
9:00 AM Classic Worship
10:10 AM Education Hour
11:15 AM Progressive Worship
Find us on the interwebs:
www.ctkvestal.org
www.facebook.com/ctkvestal
@ctkvestal
Following worship there will be a congregational luncheon. The main dish will be baked ziti/lasagna and we ask that you
bring a dish (side or dessert) to pass. There is a sign-up sheet in the Entrance Way to let us know how many are joining
you and what you plan to bring. The Luncheon will also feature the assembly of the Lutheran World Relief Personal
Care Kits and an Easter Egg hunt at 12:00 Noon! Bring the youngest members of your family and friends to join in the
fun.
Maundy Thursday
Worship is at 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM. The evening service features the rite of foot washing for anyone present (see
more information inside the newsletter). Worship concludes with the stripping of the altar.
Good Friday
Good Friday’s brief noon service, “Litany of the Cross”, moves around the Sanctuary as though we were walking with
Christ through the Stations of the Cross. The 7:00 PM service involves Tenebrae (“shadows”) with the ministry of Jesus
being retold and Christ’s words from the cross and sense the darkness of death. The evening ends with silence and time
for personal prayer and meditation. The sanctuary will be available for meditation throughout the day.
Holy Saturday
The Easter Vigil begins at 6:30 PM on the sidewalk (weather permitting) in front of Christ the King with the lighting of
the new fire and follows the Paschal Candle to the darkened Sanctuary for worship with Scripture readings, Affirmation
of Baptism and Holy Communion.
Easter Day
Easter services at 9:00 and 11:15 AM celebrate Christ’s victory over death. Easter lilies, Holy Communion, and the
return of the Alleluias make this day unlike any other each year.
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APRIL 2015 HERALD
Why Wash Feet on Maundy Thursday?
The story of the Last Supper in John's Gospel records a remarkable event that is not mentioned in the other Gospels -- to
illustrate humility, Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for
one another. Some Lutheran congregations incorporate this holy and intimate practice into their Maundy Thursday services
and this year so will Christ the King. You may be asking why? Well, we have spent this Lent focused on walking simply
with Christ and heard each week in Jesus’ parables that we are called to love and serve all people. The washing of feet both
draws us into Jesus’ Passion in a tangible way and provides us the opportunity to humble ourselves before one another.
Part way through the service worshippers will be invited to come forward to have their feet washed. While there will be
foot washers at each station, families are encouraged to wash one another’s feet as an act of love and service for and with
each other. If you’re wondering, “do I have to have my feet washed?” The answer is no. As with all interactive worship
experiences, you may participate at your comfort level. There will be music and psalms offered for prayer and meditation
for all to use during this part of worship. God’s peace be with you this holy week.
First Communion Training
Any young person wishing to take communion for the first time is invited to attend the First
Communion Training Workshop in April. There will be two classes: Saturday, April 11th
10 AM—1 PM for Elementary aged children and Sunday, April 12th 3—5:30 PM for Middle School youth. These classes are for students and parents and will prepare young people
for First Communion which will be celebrated on Sunday, May 3rd. The workshop will include a video and hands on activities. Families need to RSVP to Pr. Norma by Wednesday,
April 8th so that we can prepare enough materials.
Coming this Easter Season: GO! A Sermon Series
During the Council’s retreat in February, they dedicated significant time discussing who we are as a community of faith and
how we can best help people use their gifts and passions to be disciples in the world. This has led to two sermon series and
other learning opportunities. During the Easter season, Sunday worship will be focused on how we may be called to “Go”
out into the world and ways to be Jesus’ hands and feet. Then during the weeks immediately following Pentecost, we’ll focus on Spiritual Gifts, including a Sunday morning learning series on spiritual gifts. Look for more information in the coming weeks and don’t miss out on the chance to hear how you may be called to GO! Into the world.
Pastor’s Calendar
Pastor Norma is going on vacation! She will be gone April 13—21. Please keep her in prayer for safe travels and refreshment during this time.
Synod Assembly: God’s Story, Our Voices
“...you are to be a key witness to everyone you meet of what you have seen and heard.” ~Acts 22:15
God’s Story, Our Voices is the theme for the 2015 Synod Assembly which will be held May 29-30, 2015 at the Rochester
Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, NY. Accommodations will be at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. Come and explore the many ways we tell God’s stories and learn some new ideas for using our voices to reach out into the world with the
good news of Jesus. Attendees will hear from our ELCA Church-wide representative, the Rev. Brenda Smith, Program Director, Faith Practice/Missional Leadership and the Rev. David Lose, President, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
On Thursday, May 28th, there will several pre-assembly programs including a forum on the Practice Discipleship Initiative
focused on developing faithful disciples and creating 20,000 meals which will help feed hungry people in the Rochester area.
PAGE 7
Company is Coming – Time to Clean House!
Easter Egg Hunt
Join us for Christ the King’s Easter Egg Hunt
on Sunday, March 29th at 12:00 Noon (as part
of the Congregational Luncheon). Open to all
kids - toddlers through age 10.
Hear the Easter story and find your special
Easter egg.
If you have a young person you’d like to have
participate, sign up in the Entrance Way.
If you would like to donate items to fill the
eggs, call the office to let us know what you’ll
be bringing!
The semi-annual church cleanup day is scheduled for
Saturday, March 29. Here’s the plan... Stop by the
church any time starting at 9:30 AM on the 29th.
There will be a list of projects and a crew captain
ready to help you figure out which task is right for
you. The list will include simple things like dusting,
washing windows, applying oil to the altar and pews,
and yard cleanup.
If you can’t be here on the 29th but still want to help,
check out our “honey-do” list and pick a project (and
a time) that works for you—any time between March
29—April 4. If you cannot (or should not) do some
of the tasks but still want to help, you can! We need a few “crew captains” to help monitor the list throughout the day on the 29th.
Together we can get the job done and be ready for company!
Picture Directory
Many in our church family were unable to have their portrait taken during the first round of photos. We would like to
see as many of you as possible in our church directory so we’re having another day of picture taking. If you already
had your portrait taken in December, you don’t have to come again.
LifeTouch will be here on Monday, April 20th from 2-9PM. The directory photos are FREE and you will receive a
free 8x10. There will be an option to purchase additional copies. A sign-up sheet for an appointment time is available
at the Welcome Center or you can sign up for an appointment online (https://www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/
christhekinglutheranchurch3/index.php?page=10).
Please contact Marsha ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
Soup Kitchen
On Saturday, April 18th, we will be serving our neighbors at the Soup Kitchen. Soup, bread, tossed salad, and cookies are
on the menu for the meal. If you would have a favorite soup or cookie that you would like to provide or you would like to
help by serving, sign up at the Welcome Center or contact Todd Eames ([email protected] or text at 761-3744).
If you would like to help with preparation, serving, and/or cleanup, the Soup Kitchen is held at First United Methodist
Church (corner of McKinley and Monroe) in Endicott. Preparation starts at 10:30 AM and the meal is served at noon.
Think Spring - Rummage Sale in May
Save those unwanted items! If you know anyone that is cleaning out, moving or having a garage sale, ask for donations. No computers, outdated electronics, or heavy items. No clothing until spring. Call Debbie Doyle for pickups at
607-724-1072. Plastic and paper bags are also needed. Proceeds from the sale will be used for building improvements.
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Monday Night Bible Study Group
“God himself he said, ‘I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will
not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down!’” (Hebrews 13:5, AMP)
Trusting His promises and experiencing His blessings are what this small group is all about. We are currently in the
middle of the "Loved by God" series. Author Liz Curtis Higgs shares her story of Jacob, Esau, Rachel and Leah and
examines their lives in study of Genesis( 27-29). She teaches with humor, love, and joy; and sometimes even in sadness that reaches down inside our hearts and pulls us out to reach to God. Speaking of God, on March 30th we will
be in session four - Blinded by Love—Man Looks at the Outward Appearance, God Looks at the Heart (Genesis
29:21-20). Curious to hear what Liz has to say? Please join us at 6:30 PM in the Fireside Room. Following that,
there will be two more sessions on April 6 and April 20.
To end the year, the our Bible study group will be doing "One Thousands Gifts: A Dare to Live Life Fully Right
Where You Are” by Ann Voskamp. This is a five-session, video-based study. Ann encourages participants to take on
the life-changing discipline of journaling God's Gifts—to really look at life and find the good in it. Join us May 4th
to see what Ann has to share. More details about the study will be given out at a later date.
All are welcome to attend. We are a fun group of people who share God's Love with one another and to learn about
the Bible along the way. I love this group very much. It has deepened my faith and I hope it will for you too. Please
come see me to inquire about the Monday Night Group. I can be found lingering around in God's House during second service at CTK or you can send me an email anytime. [email protected]
God's Blessings, Megan O'Hearn (Group Facilitator)
Christian Caregiving Course is Coming!
Have you ever wondered, “What difference can my faith make in my everyday life and relationships?” The book
Christian Caregiving—a Way of Life provides one answer. It describes what is distinctive about Christian caregiving and how this approach to caregiving can become a way of life for you. Angie Crawford, Shirley Lyttle and Pr.
Norma will be leading a learning series on Sunday mornings between services April 12 – May 24 based on this
book by Kenneth Haugk. At the close of the series, participants will be equipped with tools (listening skills, how
to pray with others, and how to share their faith more comfortably with those they love and care for) to improve
the quality of the care they give to the people around them—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, customers, and
clients. All are encouraged and welcome to take part in the conversation.
While purchasing the book is not necessary for the course, if you would like to inexpensive used copies (as little as
$4 including shipping) are available from Amazon. If you’re not an Amazon user but still want the book, let Pr.
Norma know and she’ll order a copy for you. For more information and questions, you can ask any of the course
leaders.
New Member News
Interested in learning more about Christ the King? Think you’d like for Christ the King to be your faith home?
Then come for a light brunch with Pr. Norma on Sunday, April 12 at 12:30 PM (following the Progressive Worship
Service). Conversation will be centered around the ministry and work of Christ the King, your passions for God’s
work and how Christ the King can help you use your passions in our community of faith.
New Members will be welcomed during worship on Sunday, May 3 at both services.
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Council Corner
The Congregational Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 12. The major work of the evening included discussion of the capital campaign. The consultant assigned to work with Christ the King from Steward Key Leaders is the Rev.
John Sabatelli. Pastor Sabatelli spent over 30 years serving Christ Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD before joining the SKL
team. Pr. Sabatelli will be at Christ the King the weekend of April 26 to train the capital campaign team and other leaders in
the congregation and help us prepare for the work ahead. He will also preach at both services that weekend. There have been a
few changes to the project list: instead of replacing the carpets we believe that they can be cleaned sufficiently that they will
look brand new and, of course, the gutter and soffit repair.
The Council is in the final stages of approving a sexual abuse prevention policy. Andy Fiorentino, Corina Allen and Diana
Drew worked together to create the policy and their draft was reviewed this month. The policy was sent back to them with a
few questions and revisions. We will have the final draft available for your review and comments in the coming days. One
item of note that the property team has already begun work on is putting windows on each of the interior doors. This provides
an extra layer of protection for children and vulnerable adults, as well as the people who care for them.
The youth have several fundraisers planned for their trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. This year the Easter Lily
sale benefited their trip. Anything given beyond the cost of the lilies went directly to the youth. They also will be selling
Chocolates by Leopold starting the end of March and the 2nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction will be held on Saturday, May 9. Thank you to Thrivent for the constant support and the matching funds they are providing during these fundraisers.
Finally, NYSEG continues to work on the light replacements. They have replaced most of the light in the Entrance Way, sanctuary and the offices. They were back at Christ the King on Tuesday, March 10 to follow up and conduct another assessment
to include the 8 foot fluorescent lights in the Café.
Southern Tier Conference News
The Annual Southern Tier Conference Spring Assembly will be held on Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 PM at Bethany Lutheran
Church, Elmira. At this gathering we will:
1. Nominate 2016 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members. The Upstate NY Synod is eligible to send 15 voting members to
the Churchwide Assembly August 8-13, 2016 in New Orleans, LA. All conferences are being encouraged to nominate one
male and one female lay person, one male and one female pastor, one youth (under 18), one young adult (18-30) and one
person of color or whose primary language is other than English. If you are interested in being nominated (or want to see
someone be nominated) please speak with Pr. Norma.
2. Elect officers and members of a NEW Conference Council Pastor Norma and Pastor Krista Mendoza (Bethany, Elmira)
have proposed the creation of a Conference Council in the Southern Tier for the following reasons: effective communication in the conference; support the Office of the Dean as the conference lives in a time with many congregations in transition; support the office of the Dean as expectations from Synod increase; desire for meaningful partnership across the conference for mission and outreach efforts; desire for meaningful and purposeful ministerium gatherings
The council is to be made up of the Conference Dean, Secretary (lay or clergy), Treasurer (lay or clergy), two at-large
clergy delegates and two at-large lay delegates. The Conference Dean will chair the council. The Secretary and Treasurer
will serve as ex officio (voice, but no vote) members of the council. The Conference Dean shall be elected and serve terms
as set forth in the Upstate NY Synod Constitution of the ELCA. The Treasurer shall serve a four year term with the option
to serve no more than two consecutive terms. The Secretary and at-large delegates shall serve a one year-term with the option to serve no more than 4 consecutive terms. The at-large lay and pastoral delegates shall not be from the same congregation. Elections will be held at the Spring Conference Assembly. The Conference Council will meet three to five times a
year and fulfill the following role: plan Fall and Spring conference assemblies; plan conference deacon training; coordinate
conference-wide mission opportunities as desired; support the Dean with congregational transitions; support monthly clergy conference ministeriums; communicate information to and from the Synod to each congregation; communicate information to and from Conference to each congregation; communicate information to and from the Central Mission Renewal
Table and Synod Stewardship Table
3. Hear updates from Synod Council and the Conference of Deans.
There will be a carpool organized so please let Marsha know if you intend on going and want to participate in the car pool.
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From Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
Subtle Shifts to Works Righteousness
We are in the middle of Lent-the season of spiritual warfare, or at least really good intentions. Many of us now engage
in some form of Lenten discipline. We give up something: chocolate or coffee or FreeCell. Or we add something: Scripture
reading, midweek worship or service projects. This seems normal and familiar to us just as the imposition of ashes on Ash
Wednesday or crossing ourselves has become normal and familiar in many of our congregations.
I remember a time when none of these practices would be considered Lutheran by large segments of our church. Too
works righteous, too showy, too ... Roman Catholic! We didn't need to, nor could we make ourselves holy or righteous. That
was the whole point of justification by grace through faith apart from works of the law (Romans 3:21-28, Article IV of the
Augsburg Confession).
We overcorrected. Fasting, prayer, Scripture study, acts of service, imposition of ashes and making the sign of the cross
are classical spiritual disciplines that not only have an ancient history in Christian practice but also serve to engage our whole
selves in devotion to God. These practices serve to draw us closer to and make us more aware of the love of God shown
through Jesus' death and resurrection that justifies sinners, but they aren't what justifies us.
As scrupulous as we have been in proclaiming grace and eschewing works in our faith practices, I've noticed the not so
subtle shift to works righteousness in the work we do as the church. This exists in all three expressions-congregations, synods
and churchwide-and all across the cultural spectrum. Jesus' invitation to repentance and discipleship have become a kind of
transaction between us and God where we figure out what we have done wrong, promise to work really hard to be better people, and then God forgives us. What we see as the moral wrongs that must be repented depends largely on our place on the cultural spectrum. The cultural right is preoccupied with private mores and behavior and the cultural left is preoccupied with political rights and the activities of government and business institutions.
Here's how that plays out. While driving through the Smoky Mountains on a family road trip, I saw a billboard that declared: "No smoking, drinking, card playing, dancing, movie going, swearing ... there is no sin within 7 miles of our church!"
Wow. There must not have been any people within 7 miles of that church. That is the works righteousness of the right.
The works righteousness of the left plays out a little differently. If there are enough sit-ins or protests, or boycotts or
enough petitions, we could inaugurate the kingdom of God. Then we could extricate ourselves from this bondage to sin. We
could build a perfect world.
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Financial Update
Thank you for your generosity! Despite the cold, cold February, together we have fed hungry people, taught the youngest among us about Jesus’ Passion and passion, and still gathered every Sunday for worship! Below you will find the
monthly and year to date giving as of February. We know that it is hard to recognize the many blessings God has provided us, when winter's unrelenting chill slaps us across the face every time we go outside. It is really hard to hear the
voices of those in need when the wind howls around us. When driving snow closes our eyes, it is easy to be blind to
God's mission for us. This winter's cold also left our congregation’s finances with some ups and downs. The snow
caused our snowplowing costs to go up. The ice jammed our roof gutters and soffits and brought them down. The frozen ground heaved up our front walk jamming the front door. The weather also kept some folks home causing our generous giving to be less than expected. As we “spring” out of this “winter” we invite you to pray about your passions for
God’s work and hope Christ the King is one of the places you choose to share your treasures, as well as your time and
gifts for ministry.
As always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to speak with Eric Donaldson, Treasurer, or any member of the
Finance Team (MaryLu Bowen, Todd Eames and John Hiza).
Budgeted
Actual
Difference
February Collections
$15,637.00
$12,756.50
$2,880.50 below budget
February Expenses
$16,193.15
$14,650.83
$1,542.32 below budget
February shortfall
$1,894.33
Year to Date Collections
$36,321.95
$32,884.43
$3,437.52 below budget
Year to Date Expenses
$37,738.30
$39,403.45
$1,620.15 over budget
Year to Date Deficit
$6,519.02
Budgeted Deficit
$1,461.35
There is a purveyor of high-end, organic, locally sourced groceries that is the temple of this persuasion. You can buy veal
there without guilt because its source of veal is the little calf that, after gamboling across the fields, turns itself in to the butcher
and declares (quoting Charles Dickens): "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done." No. Something has to die
so we can live. We are complicit in the world's brokenness.
We may work for justice or righteousness with the best intentions, and God knows there is plenty of work to do. But Jesus
didn't die to change behaviors or political systems or institutions. Jesus died to end the fundamental brokenness and estrangement from God that is the result of human sin, our rebellion against God that infects every aspect of our lives.
Just as Jesus' miracles in the Gospel of John are called signs that point to the new thing God is doing in Christ, so should
our work for justice be signs that point to the new life we have in Christ. We're pointing in the wrong direction if our work becomes the new life instead of a sign of the new life.
Lent can be a time to ponder this priceless gift. The death and resurrection of Christ has changed everything, a change no
human effort could ever bring about.
A monthly message from the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This column originally
appeared in the March 2015 issue of The Lutheran.
A Thank You
Dear Christ the King Lutheran Church,
Thank you for your recent gift of $2500.00 to support the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) through ELCA Good Gifts.
With your help, the ELCA is sharing the gospel, starting new congregations, preparing leaders, working to overcome
malaria, fighting hunger and so much more. Your gifts are truly transforming lives.
Together, we do more than we ever could alone. With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling
communities in Jesus Christ’s name throughout the world. Thank you for your partnership. And thanks, again, for
your generous support. It is deeply appreciated.
In Christ,
Christine Jackson-Skelton
Executive Director, Mission Advancement