RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 17 November 1997 Number 11

From the Pastor

The question of how often we celebrate Holy Communion at Reformation has come up lately in conversation. Most recently we talked about it with parents and children in the First Communion Class.

The practice at Reformation has been to celebrate Holy Communion on the first, third, and fifth Sunday of every month as well as on all festivals. That means that some months Holy Communion is celebrated more often, possibly 4 out of 5 Sundays if a festival falls on a second or fourth Sunday.

When I was a child, Holy Communion was observed once a month. Even then I remember people not taking communion because they had partaken of the sacrament the previous month. "We don’t want to over do it," one probably said.

Many in this congregation are aware that Lutherans are now moving toward more frequent celebration of Holy Communion. For over 30 years Lutheran congregations have been encouraged to consider the principal Sunday service to be Holy Communion.

For a variety of historical reasons, Lutherans moved away from the weekly celebration of Holy Communion. We celebrate Holy Communion frequently because the Church needs the sacrament. The Lord’s Supper is the means by which the people of God are nourished and sustained. In the Small Catechism Martin Luther speaks about the benefits Christians receive. In the sacrament we receive the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Because these gifts are promised us in the eating and drinking, our participation in the sacrament is to be frequent rather than occasional.

Christians are a pilgrim people journeying toward the heavenly city. The sacrament of Holy Communion is the meal that nourishes us in that journey.

- Pastor Jerry Mansholt

From the Deaconess

Anyone who has taken time to stop into my office and browse my bookshelf may have noticed titles like Young Children and Worship, Boredom-Busting Ideas to Involve Children in Adult Worship and Including Children in Worship. These books reflect my interest in the role children play in our worship as the body of Christ.

I was thrilled to discover that one of the four components of LOGOS was worship skills. The LOGOS program is committed to engaging youth and children to leadership and participation in the corporate worship life of the congregation. According to the LOGOS manual, the worship skills session does more than just prepare children and youth to "sit" in on worship. They learn to become an integral part of worship as it becomes an integral part of the fabric and language of their souls. (Church Resource & Administration Manuel, p.72)

In October the middle school youth helped lead worship twice—once with a choral reading of the First Lesson, and on October12 they led the Psalm with bell accompaniment and singing. We can look forward to hearing and seeing the youth take a more active role in our worship together. In fact, on November 2, All Saints Day, the Gospel reading will be presented in drama form by some of the 7th and 8th grade LOGOS students.

We thank Lynda Carrier-Metz, Virginia Leikvold, Kurt Schlender, and Janice Yeskie for sharing their gifts with our young people in LOGOS. Forty of our 1st-8th grade students are enrolled in LOGOS. On October 19, the Sunday School children, under the direction of Kristin Blomquist, sang Eagle’s Wings, a song based on the Psalm of the Day, Psalm 91.

At Reformation the children are obeying Moses’ instructions to the Israelites to bring their offerings, sacrifices, and gifts to the Lord. Amen.

- Deaconess Doreen Leptien

Thank You!

Thank you, Christian family, for your love, prayers, and support during this past difficult time. The church family has always been very important to Hubert and Arletha.

We thank the members for all they’ve done in Christ’s love and kindness. We thank the members who made such a delicious meal and who graciously served the family as we gathered for consolation after the funeral service for Hubert.

Thank you in Christ’s love,
- Arletha, Dick & Pat, John & Sally, Kathryn & Jim

* * *

I would like to thank everyone who brought me flowers and good wishes, sent cards, brought food, and, most importantly, prayed for me while I was hospitalized. You mean so much to me!

 A special thank you to Pastor Mansholt for all his visits and bringing communion to me.
- Faye Peters

* * *

Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity. Our elementary school received $200 from your gift. We plan to purchase library books for our elementary library. Our students did miss a lot of school due to the blizzards and the water that followed. We felt additional reading materials would help fill the voids created by weather.

Thanks so much,
- Lisa Fuhrer, El. Prin.
Florence School, Florence, S.D.

* * *

A warm thank you for all the support and prayers we have received since the birth of Mark and Jacob. All the hospital visits, flowers, delicious meals, help with the babies, and all the other gifts of your time have been greatly appreciated.

- Joe & Jane Camenzind
John and Ryan, Mark and Jacob

* * *

Our thanks to everyone for the many kind expressions of sympathy at the death of Shirley’s mother. It is comforting to have so many caring friends.

- Shirley & Jack Metz

A belated but HUGE THANK YOU to Georgene Kreeger, Charlotte Herrold, Betty Hayenga, Genia LaPreze, and Kalynn Blum for making the beautiful bookmarks for the third graders who received their Bible in September.

* * *

 Thanks to Roy & Audrey Brockmeier for providing the meal on the first night of First Communion instruction.

* * *

Office Mailboxes

New mailboxes, which were made by Waldo Gerards of the Property Committee, are now in use in the church office. They are located in the center hallway of the office area. Church Council officers, committee chairpersons, and other program heads should check their boxes regularly. 

From the Seminary

Dear Friends,

As I write this in mid-October, the seminary semester is halfway over. Within the community, already we have experienced death, terminal illness, exams, papers, and community work. The days are long and satisfying but intensely serious as we begin to understand the profound nature of the profession to which we have been called.

To this life, however, there is a reassuring rhythm, a rhythm of worship. Each day, and twice on Monday, the seminary community meets to worship. Regardless of the assignments or personal situations, we pause to praise God and to let his Word flow over us. In this we are blessed and strengthened to continue our work.

The seminary is not unlike the community at large, which pauses on Sunday to praise through prayer and song, to listen to the Scripture and homily, and to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. Thus strengthened, we keep moving forward, in Christ, through the challenges we face and also in service to Him. Or, in the words found in The Common Book of Prayer, "Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart." God’s peace to each of you,

- Dawn Gorges

Women of Reformation

November 3	9:00 a.m. Blanket Makers
November 4	1:00 p.m. Stitching
November 7	9:00 a.m. World Community Day Worship at West Side Baptist
November 10	1:45 p.m. Women’s Board
November 10	3:00 p.m. Book Ladies
November 11	9:30 a.m. Priscilla Circle
November 13	7:00 p.m. Rachel Circle
November 13	7:00 p.m. Ruth Circle
November 14	7:00 p.m. Bunco
November 17	9:00 a.m. Blanket Makers
November 17	7:00 p.m. Sarah Circle at Pat Anderson’s 8008 Morningside Dr.
November 19	1:00 p.m. Dorcas Circle at Dorothea Rindt’s 1945 Charlotte St.
November 20	2:00 p.m. Esther Circle

(All activities meet at church unless otherwise noted)

LSS Dinner Party - Auction

The 1997 Lutheran Social Service Dinner Party - Auction will be held at the downtown NationsBank on Friday Evening, November 14, beginning at 5:30 p.m. With the second year beginning of the contract with Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services to place children with special needs into permanent loving Kansas homes, that program is the focus of this year’s event. Since there is considerable traffic during the day at the bank, there are plans to hold a Country Store, beginning at 8:00 a.m., in the Lobby, to raise additional funds.

Women of Reformation and others are asked to help with this effort by contributing freshly baked or prepared items for sale. Items might include cakes, pies, cookies, breads, relish, sauces, noodles, etc. Please bring the items to our church by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 12. Contact person is Donna Moyer, 733-2108. Thank you for your participation in this important joint ministry to children and families!

Best Time of Life

B.T.O.L. will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 10, in the Parish Hall. The potluck luncheon will be at 12:00 noon, with the program to follow at 1:00 p.m. The "Lewis Street Singers" under the direction of Virginia Leikvold will present their new fall musical program. All senior adults are invited to attend. Please come join us for this entertaining fellowship get-together. 

Middle School Youth

On Friday, November 7, the Middle School Youth will have a Half Lock-in. We will meet at 7:00 p.m. and have planned activities until 1:00 a.m. Parents willing to car-pool should contact Deaconess Doreen prior to November 7. Watch your mail for more detailed information.

Mark Sunday, December 14, on your calendars! The Youth Committee is sponsoring Christmas Caroling on the trolley at 5:30 p.m. for our youth and their families. 

- Note to Parents -

 Dear Parents of Middle School Youth,

When your child is attending a church youth activity, the sponsors of that activity are responsible for him/her. If you will not be picking up your child after the activity, please call me ahead of time or personally speak to one of the sponsors when dropping off your child. We want to assure the safety of all our young people.

Thank you.
Deaconess Doreen 

Senior High Youth

At the October 19 meeting, the Senior High Youth elected officers:

President                 Monica Mansholt

Vice President        Jennifer Roberts

Secretary                 Amy Pletcher

Christian Growth    Sarah Fraizer

Historian                 Megan Deines

Upcoming November Events:

• November 2 Meeting at church (4:30-6:30 p.m.)
• November 9 Bowling after church
• November 23 Meeting at church (4:30-6:30 p.m.)

Progressive Dinner

Our annual Progressive Dinner is planned for Sunday evening, December 7, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Appetizers and salad will be served at several homes before we all arrive at Reformation around 6:45-7:00 p.m. to complete the meal. This year the entree will again be served by Everyday Gourmet.

This is a very special evening, so be sure to mark December 7 on your calendar. The cost will be $10.00 per person. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the Parish Hall by mid-November.

Five homes are still needed for the first two courses. If you would like to offer your home, please call Shirley Metz, 636-1993.  

Educational Workshop

Shirley May of Lutheran Brotherhood is hosting an educational workshop on November 4 in the Sunflower Room of the Sedgwick County 4-H Building, 7001 West 21st St., Wichita. The topic is "The New 1997 Tax and Estate Laws. . .How is the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 going to affect you?" There will be two sessions, one at 2:00 p.m. and the other at 7:00 p.m. Troy Lorenz, JD, CPA, Associate General Agent, will be the presenter. Please RSVP by November 3 at 729-8300.  

Popcorn Sale

Boy Scout Troop 523 will be participating in the annual popcorn sale during the month of November. Scouts will be selling popcorn after the services on November 9 and 16. Your support of our Boy Scout Troop is greatly appreciated.  

Council Minutes

The Church Council has directed that a full copy of the Council Minutes be posted each month for viewing by the congregation. You will find the minutes on a bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

Your concerns as a member of the congregation are important to your representatives on the Council. Inquiries or comments may be addressed to any Council member. A listing of Council members is located on page one of the Church Membership Directory.

Communion to the Homebound

Taking Holy Communion to the sick and the homebound long has been a pastoral practice of the Church. Pastors have visited nursing homes, hospitals, and the homes of parishioners to distribute the sacrament to those unable to attend Sunday worship. The distribution of Holy Communion, however, is a ministry to be shared by many. As they do on Sunday mornings in corporate worship, lay men and women also can take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound and others who are unable to come for worship.

The Worship and Music Committee in conjunction with Stephen Ministry is recruiting a minimum of 12 people to serve as Communion Assistants to the Homebound. These Assisting Ministers will commit to one year of service. They will receive training for the ministry and will commit to one Sunday a month for one hour to take communion to the homebound or hospitalized. Training is scheduled for November 15. Communion to the Homebound by assisting ministers will begin in Advent. If you are interested in serving, please speak to Jerry Whetstone, Marjorie Bender, Pastor Jerry, or Deaconess Doreen.

First Communion

We welcome to the Lord’s Table these young people of our congregation who received their First Communion on October 26:

Amanda Applegate Amanda Brockmeier Kelsey Brumbaugh Eric English Sapphire Garcia Emily Johnson Sara Koepsel

Eric LaRue Sam Martin Robert Pfeiffer Aubrey Ramsey Lauren Reddy Alaina Schnitkey

 Building Fund Update:

Contributed in September $ 10,978.10
Total Contributed in Campaign $ 1,037,398.79

Neighborhood Connection

Senior Services is looking for volunteers to help the elderly. It can be as simple as picking up the telephone and calling a few times a week just to make sure everything is okay with a homebound or handicapped individual. This telephone outreach has enabled many elderly persons to continue to live independently by eliminating the fear and loneliness of being on their own. The timing of your calls is flexible and takes little effort but can mean the world to the person on the other end. Can you take a few minutes to talk on the phone? If so, call Pam Adams (733-9627) or call Cherise Langenberg at Senior Services, 267-0302. Other volunteer opportunities are available--ask Cherise! 

Friendship Sunday

Thanks! to all of you who invited guests for our Friendship Sunday on October 19. There were 70 visitors worshiping at Reformation that Sunday! Personal invitations brought many of the newcomers to us. Please continue your efforts in "Making Christ Known."

Meat Needed

As there is a special need for canned meat at the Food Bank, Social Outreach has designated Sunday, November 9, as the day for ingathering of canned meat. Please plan to contribute and help us meet this need. 

Teacher Workshop

Focuses on Discipline

Discipline & Respect is the title of the video to be presented at the Teacher Workshop on Saturday, November 22. We will focus on proactive discipline and talk about how to share the power and be mutually respectful.

The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. with breakfast and will last until 11:00. This is an excellent opportunity for all Sunday School and LOGOS teachers, as well as others who are interested in teaching. Not only will we explore the subject of discipline, but we will have time to share with each other and pray together. Mark November 22 on your calendar!