RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 18 April 1998 Number 4
From the Pastor
This year we are introducing to
Reformation Church the Vigil of Easter, a 6:00 p.m. worship on Saturday, April 11. It may
be something new at Reformation, but the Easter Vigil is the oldest celebration in the
church year. It was the way early Christians celebrated the Resurrection in an annual
observance, dating back to the early 2nd century.
Why introduce a new service, revive an old tradition, add more work to an already busy
week? Because the Vigil of Easter brings a completeness to the events being celebrated in
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Resurrection of our Lord. Through symbol and song,
reading and prayer, the mighty acts of God in the Hebrew Scriptures are read in and by the
light of Christ.
The service will begin outdoors around a small fire from which the paschal candle will
be lit. This light of Christ will lead candle-carrying worshipers into the dimly lit
sanctuary where the cantor will sing the Easter Proclamation, a solemn hymn of cosmic joy
and profound thanksgiving.
We will hear Readings from the Hebrew Scriptures which tell again the story of God's
mighty acts in history, a story we read in and by the light of Christ. Creation, the
Flood, Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea, the Fiery Furnace are celebrated in the Light
of Christ, the New Creation and our Salvation.
Worshipers will give thanks for Baptism, the means by which we are active participants
in Christ's death and resurrection. Remembering our baptisms we might even get a little
wet as water is sprinkled about. Finally, lights come on, bells are rung, God is praised
for Resurrection victory, and the Easter meal of Holy Communion is celebrated.
The Easter Vigil, along with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Feast of the
Resurrection take us to the events at the heart of the Christian faith.
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
For a split second last Sunday during the sermon, I felt
and understood God's unconditional love for me. For one moment the warmth of God's love
flowed through me.
We hear about God's unconditional love, we talk about it, we may even believe it, but
I'm not sure how often most of us are able to grasp it. During this season of Lent, and
rushing toward Easter, we see God's unconditional love in the face of Jesus as he weeps
over Jerusalem, while he washes his disciples' feet, as he receives the kiss of Judas, and
as he looks down from the cross-a love so deep we can only marvel in partial
understanding.
When we experience God's true and free love for us, we can hold tightly on to it,
trying to keep it all to ourselves, or we can open our arms wide and share God's love with
others. Mother Teresa, in the book No Greater Love reminds us, The fruit of love
is service. Love leads us to say, "I want to serve," and the fruit of service is
peace. All of us should work for peace.
I'd like to briefly lift up two areas within the church where God's love can be shared.
The first one is for people who love children and are committed to our Wednesday LOGOS
ministry to attend the Leadership Training School in Kansas City on May 7-9. The
continuation of this ministry depends on ongoing training of leaders!
The second area in which people could respond to God's love is by committing a year to
forming caring relationships with our middle school and high school-aged youth. People who
feel God may be calling them to use their gifts by being a youth sponsor are invited to
attend a training event on Saturday, April 25, at Reformation.
We can clutch tight to God's love or we can open our hands to share it.
- Deaconess Doreen Leptien
Thank You!
The Middle School Youth would like to thank everyone who
supported them by making and purchasing goodies at the bake sale on March 15. We earned
$185.86 to help send youth to upcoming synod events. Thanks for your generous support!
From Stephen Ministers . . .
In Stephen Ministry I think I have found a place that I can
serve God that fits my personality. Since I'm not real talkative, being a good listener is
a ministry I feel comfortable with through training.
- Carol Ott
I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to have had the training. This will be
something you can use for a lifetime. This has been a very pleasant experience.
- Dovie Bowers
Jr. High Synod Event
Bustin' Down the Doors! is the theme of this year's
junior high synod event at Mount Conference Center in Atchison, Kansas, on April 17-19.
All 7th and 8th graders are invited to experience the adventures in exile with the
Israelite people of Isaiah's day. We'll have lots of fast-moving fun with youth from all
over the synod.
Cost of the event is $45.00 per person, since some of the fund raiser monies will help
off-set cost. Anyone wanting to attend should turn the registration in to Deaconess Doreen
by March 29 with a check payable to Reformation Lutheran for $45.00.
We will need one adult male sponsor for this event. Please contact Deaconess Doreen if
you would like to have a great time with our Jr. High Youth!
April Ushers at 11:00
Ushers scheduled for the 11:00 worship service during the
month of April are: Obert Fladeland, Maynard Bohling, Eugene Peters, Mark Johnson, Rod
Larue, Les Alseike, and Pat Johnson.
Sunday School on Easter
There will be no regular Sunday School on Easter Sunday. A
special celebration will be held in the sanctuary from 10:00 to 10:30 for all children and
adults. This time together will feature a puppet skit featuring the Easter Bunny (Sara
Koepsel) and Leon the Lion (Alaina Schnitkey).
Youth Sponsors Needed
Youth Committee is currently seeking loving adults who
enjoy being with Middle School or High School youth to commit one year to being youth
sponsors.
A training event for anyone who is interested in learning more about becoming a sponsor
will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 a.m. - noon. Contact Kathy or Dan Wegner or
Deaconess Doreen if you have any questions.
We are hoping to have four to six sponsors for the middle school youth and to add two
or three sponsors for the high school youth.
AAL Branch Honored
Members of Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) Branch 4499,
Wichita, have been awarded a Gold Star rating by the fraternal benefit society in
recognition of exemplary volunteer service to the community.
AAL's 9,838 branches are ranked in several performance categories. To achieve a Gold
Star rating, branches annually must sponsor at least one AAL benevolent activity
(fund-raiser, work project, etc.), conduct at least 12 meetings, sponsor at least one
educational activity and one member awareness event, and comply with AAL's attendance,
voting, and reporting requirements.
AAL Branch 4499 is led by: Douglas Vandersee, president; Richard McDiffett, vice
president; Rebecca Hoyer, secretary; and Kathryn Drake, treasurer. It is supported by AAL
General Agent, Jack Hollingsworth, LUTCF, FIC, Independence.
AAL, based in Appleton, Wisconsin, is a fraternal benefit society of 1.7 million
Lutherans joined together for insurance, investment, educational, and volunteer
opportunities.
Women of Reformation
CIRCLE MEETINGS
Priscilla April 14 - 9:30 a.m. at church
Nursery available with 24-hr. notice
Dorcas April 15 - 1:00 p.m. at the home of Carolyn Pitts
1630 N. Sabin St.
Co-hostess is Pauline Latham
Ruth April 16 - 7:00 p.m. at the home of Muriel Hansen
8146 Grail St.
Rachel April 23 - 7:00 p.m. at church
Nursery available with 24-hr. notice
Sarah April 27 - 7:00 p.m. at the home of Shirley Anderson
1140 Apache St.
Women of Reformation Board Meeting will be Monday, April 13, 1:00 p.m.,
at church.
Stitching Gathering will meet Tuesday, April 14, 1:00 p.m., at the home
of Charlotte Herrold,
9428 Bluestem. Bring your handwork for an enjoyable afternoon.
Bunco is Friday, April 24, 7:00 p.m., at church.
Book Club meets Monday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. For information, contact
Georgene Kreeger.
GENERAL MEETING
Monday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. Parish Hall
One of the concerns of the Women of the ELCA is justice and peace. On April 20, Rev.
Joseph Bayles, an ordained priest of the Episcopal Church will share some of his
experiences as a correctional chaplain. Rev. Bayles came to the Hutchinson Correctional
Facility in 1962 and eventually became Pastoral Care Administrator. After 33 years he
retired from H.C.F. and is currently teaching psychodynamics of the criminal mind at the
Butler County Community College. He will be assisted in this presentation by Rev. Robert
Kloth, a long-term H.C.F. volunteer.
THANKOFFERINGS
This offering won't be taken until this fall, but we need to keep our thankofferings in
mind year round, whether that offering is our coins we put in an offering box regularly or
our offering of prayer. Please pray for the ministries of the Women of the ELCA that your
thankofferings help support ministries such as these:
- Hispanic ministry in Texas (refer to the March issue of The Lutheran,
"Accent on Compassion," written by Dawn Gorges.)
- House of Prayer in Syracuse, N.Y.
- Medical care for refugee children
- Milwaukee youth employment project
- Polio victims in China
- Poverty in Mississippi
- Street children in Brazil
- Women and children in crisis
Best Time of Life
B.T.O.L. will meet Monday, April 13, at 12:00 noon in the
Parish Hall for the regular monthly potluck luncheon. At 1:00 p.m. Mr. Ed Hanna will
provide information on a driver refresher program, AARP 55 ALIVE for MATURE DRIVERS. This
program has been cited by safety officials as one that is useful in helping drivers retain
safe driving skills. According to AARP, 5 million Americans have graduated from this
course since 1979. Mr. Hanna is one who conducts the course in Wichita. All senior adults
are invited to attend.
Easter Breakfast
The high school youth group will be sponsoring an Easter
breakfast April 12 between services, 9:45 to 10:45. We will need volunteers to make an egg
casserole. If you are interested, please sign up and get a recipe in the narthex on
Sundays, March 29 or April 5, or contact Jenny Roberts, 683-6214.
Spring Recital
Monica Mansholt will present a Spring Recital on Sunday,
April 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the nave of Reformation Lutheran Church. The recital will
include works for both piano and violin. The congregation is invited. A reception will
follow in the Parish Hall.
Why Choose a Lutheran College?
Youth group members (grades 9-12) and their parents are
invited to attend an information session that will highlight the advantages of a Lutheran
education.
Karli Grant, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Bethany College, Lindsborg,
and other guests will present information about Bethany College but will also emphasize
the benefits of a Lutheran education no matter which Lutheran college is attended.
This event will take place in Reformation's Parish Hall on Sunday, April 26, at 4:30
p.m. Invitations have been sent to area ELCA, Missouri Synod, and Episcopal churches. This
is also a chance to meet others who are interested in Lutheran education. Contact
Elizabeth Sherwood, 773-3846, (evenings) if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!
The Lutheran Revisited
What a dilemma! Picking an article from the March issue to
highlight was exceedingly difficult. On page 48, Dawn Gorges writes about her experience
at seminary, and on page 45 is an important article on divorce, complete with bibliography
and web sites for more information.
But it is page 16 which called loudest to me, I think because of my extensive training
as a Stephen Minister. The article is entitled "Where I Find Healing" and is
about ministering to the chronically ill. This is the second in a 2-part series; Part 1
appeared in the February issue. The author writes, "Being ill over a long time is a
lonely business." From the article we can learn ways to listen to those who will not
"get well" no matter how many cards they receive. There is also a list of 10
ways to help. All of us could benefit from a close reading of the March issue of The Lutheran.
- Suzanne Koch, Evangelism Committee
Food Collection
During April, the Social Outreach Committee is requesting
donations of canned foods and dried foods for area food banks. The
need is great! Please leave items in the container in the narthex.
From the Seminary
Dear Friends,
Spring arrived in Austin before February was over. By March 1, daffodils were in
riotous bloom, the redbud trees were pink and purple, the trees had tender new leaves, and
the blue bonnets had sprung up along the roadways. God's creation was simply bursting.
Yet it was Lent. To me, Lent is a time for penitence and quiet contemplation, a time
when the skies should be gray and the wind should be brisk, giving a distinct chill to the
air. That is Lent in Kansas; it is the Lent I have always known. In my mind, it is only as
we celebrate the blessed resurrection of our Lord that we should notice the rebirth of
God's creation, found in the blossoming flowers and budding trees. For me, spring and
Easter go hand-in-hand.
This year my Lenten season has been a bit upside down. It has been more difficult to
get into the mood of Lent, and despite what some might expect, the seminary community is
not particularly still or reflective. So, as individuals we are forced to reach deeper
into our souls and to look more closely at God's Word to find the spirit of Lent that we
seek.
Jesus was alone for forty days in the desert to search his heart and to know his
Father. In our time, we are not alone during this holy season. We must consciously set
aside time for prayer and Bible study. We must be diligent to see our missteps and to
meditate on ways of rectification and reconciliation. If this is a difficult task for you,
we can symbolically join hands. It is difficult for me as well. And even though the season
may push us, let's not rush to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, until we have had
our full forty days of penitence.
God's peace be with each of you,
Dawn Gorges
Golf Tournament
A spring golf tournament is planned for Sunday afternoon,
April 19. Location and time to be announced. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the
bulletin board in the Parish Hall.
LOGOS News . . .
As we enter the month of April, LOGOS at Reformation begins
its final month of programming for this school year. We will soon have completed our first
full year, after beginning with the winter semester in January of 1997. LOGOS has
ministered to and nurtured 50 children and youth every week in fellowship, worship and
music, Bible study, and play time, as well as family time during which a meal is served
and shared by a LOGOS family of children and table parents. A dedicated staff, many of
whom have been present every week since LOGOS began, and many, many volunteers (parents
and non-parents alike) have worked hard but have themselves been blessed in this endeavor.
Finally, LOGOS has had the whole-hearted support and involvement of Pastor Mansholt and,
during this year, that of Deaconess Doreen. Our program would never have begun, nor been
so successful, without their ongoing commitment to its importance in our congregation.
But . . . we cannot end this year thinking that all is in place to ensure the success
and, hopefully, the growth of LOGOS for next year. Now is the time to plan for fall, to
prayerfully consider how gifts might be used. Our stewardship studies taught us that we
give to God out of gratitude for all He has given us. The children and youth in LOGOS need
the time and talents of many who have them to share.
Reminder . . . Policy on Guests
We need your help during the final month of LOGOS. Children/youth are welcome to invite
guests. HOWEVER, it is essential that you call the church office or Eva Whetstone the day
before so that places can be set at the table(s) and extra food can be prepared. We have
had several guests arrive the evening of LOGOS with no prior knowledge. Your cooperation
will be greatly appreciated!
APRIL 29 . . . LOGOS CELEBRATION!
The final night for a regular schedule of LOGOS will be April 22. On the following
Wednesday, April 29, we will hold our 2nd Annual LOGOS CELEBRATION. All LOGOS
children/youth and their families will be invited to share a meal and some special
entertainment. The time will be 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., so mark your family calendars. An
invitation will be sent to each family, and we will need RSVP's in order to plan the meal.
Camp Tomah Shinga
A brochure listing available camps this summer at Tomah
Shinga is currently available in the narthex. The brochure includes a registration form.
Camp Tomah Shinga, located near Junction City, Kansas, is part of Lutheran Outdoor
Ministries.
Confirmation students going into 8th grade in the fall will be attending Confirmation
Camp at Tomah Shinga June 21-26. If you have not received information about the camp,
please contact Deaconess Doreen.
Repair-A-Fair
The annual Mennonite Housing Repair-A-Fair will be April
25. Volunteers from churches, civic groups, and other organizations will scrape, sand,
prepare, and paint houses for people in need of help. We are hoping for another strong
showing from Reformation Church in support of this housing ministry. Look for a sign-up
board at church. Last year Reformation had over 40 people participating and worked on two
houses. Not only was good and worthy service provided, people also enjoyed working with
one another.
Stephen Ministry Leader Training
Once again Reformation is sending two people for Leader's Training in the Stephen
Ministry program. Dallas Cronk and Rich McDiffett will join
several hundred other people from around the country in St. Louis, MO, April 19-25, for in
depth training in Leader's Training. Dallas and Rich are both commissioned Stephen
Ministers at Reformation. Stephen Ministry is a complete system of training and organizing
lay persons for caring ministry in and around the congregation.
