RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 18 December 1998 Number 12
From the Pastor
"Why should we channel our money through the ELCA
Domestic Disaster Fund instead of the Red Cross?" That was a good question asked
recently by one of our Wichita pastors and one I could not have answered at the time. But
an answer was forthcoming--from Pastor Christine Iverson who works for Lutherans in areas
where natural disasters occur. She is sometimes fondly referred to as our Disaster Pastor.
Pr. Iverson was already on the scene here in South Central Kansas representing Lutherans
and working with people from FEMA and the Red Cross.
Pastor Iverson pointed out that FEMA and the Red Cross use similar standards in setting
eligibility requirements for people seeking assistance. FEMA and the Red Cross have a
limited amount of resources that can be used to assist people in need. The money they give
covers some items but cannot be used for other items. FEMA and the Red Cross both provide
a needed and most valuable help to people, but there are strict limits beyond which they
cannot provide assistance.
Church-related organizations have much more freedom in using resources for assistance.
They are able to help where FEMA and the Red Cross are restricted from helping. ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response does not try to duplicate what FEMA and the Red Cross are
doing. Along with other volunteer organizations, they try to fill in the gaps where help
is needed.
In fact, FEMA and the Red Cross welcome the additional support of church-related and
other organizations precisely because they can do things that FEMA and the Red Cross
cannot do.
Pr. Iverson noted that it is often the Red Cross that brings representatives of
volunteer organizations together for coordinating their work. For an example of this, see
article in this newsletter about disaster relief assistance provided recently by Lutheran
Brotherhood to an individual in Kansas.
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
Remember this past summer when I wrote and talked over and
over again about being called to a particular ministry? Well, here I go again, but
with a new twist.
A number of people asked how they could know if God was calling them to do a particular
task or ministry. Here’s one answer I wasn’t able to give five months ago. In
identifying and recognizing our spiritual gifts, we are also better able to determine to
what areas of ministry God is calling us to serve. So let us begin again with
spiritual gifts.
As part of our movement toward being a mission-driven, instead of maintenance-driven,
church, we will begin to help the body of Christ here at Reformation to identify their
spiritual gifts. But what are these things called spiritual gifts?
Spiritual gifts are special attributes given every Christian by the Holy Spirit
to help build up the body of Christ. As servants of God, called by the Holy Spirit to
make Christ known, we are corporately called to serve others in the Body of Christ and
to be of service in the world, sharing Christ with those who do not know of his love.
In identifying our individual spiritual gifts, we will then be able to determine in
what particular way each of us will make a difference within Reformation and/or outside of
Reformation.
This is an exciting time! As we move into this area of spiritual gifts, we also grow in
our faith and in our understanding of how we can best serve our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. While we wait for our spiritual gift ministry to be put into place, we enter into
the Advent Season—a time of waiting for the coming of Christ.
- Deaconess Doreen Leptien
Thank You!
It is so gratifying to know that our Reformation Church is
always concerned about our well-being. Thank you, Jette and Barbara, for your visits and
calls.
- Bill Herrold
Advent Worship
Advent begins the end of November. On Wednesdays, December
2, 9, and 16, Advent Evening Prayer will be offered at 7:30 p.m. LOGOS will dismiss 10
minutes early. The liturgy will be Holden Evening Prayer.
Dawn Gorges to Preach
Dawn Gorges will be preaching in the 8:30 a.m. worship on
Sunday, December 20. Dawn is in her second year at the Lutheran Seminary Program of the
Southwest, Austin, Texas. Members are encouraged to use the Seminarian Support Envelopes
to provide financial support for Dawn in her studies.
Church Directory
A new Church Directory has been published and is available
at church in the narthex. Please note the following addition/correction: Helen Bridges may
be contacted through e-mail:
Welcome Center
Don’t know where the Sunday School class is meeting?
Wondering what is on this week’s schedule at Reformation? Met some people visiting
for the first time? Then stop by the Welcome Center in the narthex at church. The Welcome
Center is staffed each week with a person who has up-to-date information about Reformation
Church or knows where to get it. The Welcome Center is a ministry of hospitality.
Lutheran Brotherhood Assistance
Recently a single parent in the Overland Park
area, who had lost everything in the fall flooding, was awarded $1,000 from Lutheran
Brotherhood to replace a home computer needed in her employment. This was an expense
beyond monies that FEMA and the Red Cross could provide.
42 New Members Received
We are pleased to have received into membership on November
15 the following persons:
- Erik & Angie Askelsen, Elise
- Michael & Brigitta Bogan, Samantha, Gregory
- Doug Brantner
- Chasiti Gutsch
- Donald & Cynthia Hansen, Wyatt, Russell
- Anjanette Heckman
- Ward & Meg Heine, Hillary, Heath
- Jeff & Sheri-Lyn King, Melicent, Mitchell
- Paul Matzek & Cindy Kuhlman
- John & Connie Leavitt, Matthew, Christopher, Katy
- Rick Lucas
- Jill & Kevin O’Connell
- Marsha Sears
- David & Beth Shafer, David, Rachel
- Helen Silcott
- Nancy Watkins, Adam Aaron, Bryan
"Vial of Life"
Our Parish Nurses are
assisting in promoting a community-wide program called "Vial of Life." By
your participation, immediate access to important health information is made available to
emergency medical technicians or police who may be summoned to your residence in an
emergency situation. Quite simply, a medical information sheet is stored in a specially
marked medicine vial in your refrigerator. A front door sticker and refrigerator magnet
alert EMS personnel and others to the location of the information. Vial of Life kits have
already been distributed to participants in BTOL. They are available free of charge to
anyone in the congregation. Stop by the Parish Nurse office soon to obtain your "Vial
of Life" kit!
Lo, How a Rose
On Sunday, December 13, the Parish Choir in both services
will lead worship with the cantata, Lo, How A Rose, by John Leavitt. The poetic
prophecy of Isaiah 11:1, "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and
a branch shall grow out of his roots," is the text for this ancient song.
Debt Reduction Sunday--Dec. 13
The year 1998 has been a year of transition for
Reformation. In addition to looking at how our committees do their work, this has been the
first year that we combined our mortgage payments into the general budget. I want to thank
the congregation for all of their support through this change. While supporting our
monthly mortgage payments, many individuals have also chosen to make additional donations
toward the reduction of the principal balance of our building loan. As of the November
payment, $19,183 has been donated toward principal reduction in 1998. Combined with the
remainder of the building fund, we have been able to make additional payments of $59,338
to reduce our loan balance. However, our loan balance still remains at $1,211,975, which
means that we currently pay approximately $8,000 per month in interest. For several
reasons, including reducing our interest expense and preparing for refinancing our loan,
it is to our advantage to continue to work to reduce the principal balance of our loan.
Toward this end, we would like to designate Sunday, December 13, as Debt Reduction
Sunday. We would ask that you give prayerful consideration to making a special
contribution on that day, designated toward reducing the principal balance of our mortgage
loan. This can help us be better stewards of our financial resources by reducing our
interest expense and will also help us reduce our loan to a level that will be more
manageable to refinance when our Mission Investment loan matures. Such donations are
appreciated at any time, but we have chosen December 13 as a day for special consideration
and awareness. Thank you.
-Tom Pletcher, President
Journey to Bethlehem
Christmas is a journey of the heart! Come on a Journey to Bethlehem. The second
annual walk-through experience of "Journey to Bethlehem" will be held at Christ
Lutheran Church, 5356 N. Hillside, on Sunday afternoon, December 13, between 2:00 and 5:00
p.m. This is a living re-enactment of the day of Jesus’ birth and offers each visitor
an hour of experiencing the Bethlehem marketplace of that time, including hands-on
experiences and a living Nativity. Groups, families, individuals, people of all faiths are
welcome. There is no charge. For additional information, contact Christ Lutheran Church,
744-1242.
Comprehensive Statistical Report on Consecration Sunday Results
A total of 171 giving units (husbands and wives or single
persons) have completed Estimate of Giving Cards so far this year. These 171 units that
were present to fill out commitment cards committed a total of $451,895.60. Based on last
year’s giving records, $61,069.84 can be expected for the coming year from persons
who have established giving patterns but were not present Consecration Sunday. This gives
us a grand total of $512,965.44 in anticipated income for 1999.
Total income of the general budget during the last twelve months was $433,258. Next
year our income can be expected to increase by $79,680. This is an 18.397 percent increase
in total giving above last year.
The Stewardship Committee, along with the Church Council, would like to take this
opportunity to thank the congregation for their support in this year’s fall
Stewardship Program.
Sunday School on December 27
All children and adults will meet in the Parish Hall at 9:45 a.m. to watch the
Christmas video, The Stableboy’s Christmas, on Sunday, December 27. Both
children and adults can learn from a little stable boy about unselfish love during this
Christmas season. Bring your leftover Christmas cookies, and we’ll have cookies and
eggnog!
December Ushers
The following are scheduled to serve at the 11:00 worship service during the month
of December: Ron Ott, Jerry Whetstone, John Lee, Larry Barr, Waldo Gerards, Bryan
Barr, and Jim Frank.
Childcare Needed
David & Pat Johnson are looking for a Christian person
to provide childcare for their three children, ages 12, 8½ , and 7 years. The time is in
January, over a weekend and a few school days. The childcare provider needs to have a car
to transport children to school and a few activities. If you are interested in getting
more information or know of someone who may be, please call 733-6275.
From the Seminary . . . .
Dear Friends,
Advent will soon arrive, and typically we’re so busy we can barely remember the
reason for the season, much less carefully read a church newsletter. To help us be
centered and faithful, I offer a short poem from The First Season by Wayne Saffen.
"Waiting for Christmas Again"
So here we are waiting for Christmas again.
It seems sort of silly after all these years
To go through the whole rigmarole again.
Christmas is coming. Santa is coming.
Jesus is coming. Children are coming.
Presents are coming. Bills are coming.
Canned music blares forth carols.
Store windows look like fairylands.
Countered goods go on credit cards
To be paid for when dates fall due.
So this is what Christmas has come to:
A crucial season in the national economy.
For this a babe was born in Bethlehem,
And poor unwanted children swarm the globe,
While favored children recite their verses
Before opening Christmas presents,
The real joy when Christmas duty’s done.
Familiarity breeds contempt
And memorized miracles lose luster.
Christmas glow dissolves.
Fogs of sentiment dissipate
Into the commonplace of everyday.
"Christmas is for children,"
Say adults hardened by disappointments.
Nostalgia substitutes for wonder.
Christmas is a ghost of childhood past
Come to haunt the middle age of parentage.
Doting on our own children,
We are far, far away
From Bethlehem, from Harlem’s slums,
From favelas and barrios
In Spanish America, from Saigon,
Calcutta, and Mozambique.
Christmas comes again this year.
It is coming, ready or not.
Christ is coming, ready or not.
He’s newborn in slums, like it or not.
He’s the one for whom we have no room,
Not then, not now, not ever,
Until we take his Advent
Seriously.
God Bless You. - Dawn Gorges
The Angel Tree is Coming
We will again have opportunity to give Christmas gifts to
needy children and their families. Gift suggestions for Mead Middle School and Ingalls
Edison Elementary School children and families will be on an angel tree in the narthex on
Sundays, November 29 and December 6. Wrapped gifts should be returned to the church by
December 13 for delivery that Sunday. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to
deliver gifts, please call Virginia Leikvold, 685-7993; Michele Groves,
634-0553; or Mary Ward-Pfeiffer, 685-5754.
LOGOS News
Worship Participation: LOGOS 3rd-5th graders will
present the Psalm in the December 6th worship service, and the 6th-8th graders will do the
First Lesson. We look forward to that!
2nd Semester Registration: We are now accepting 2nd semester registrations for
LOGOS. Contact Ruth Koepsel, 685-3800, or Pam Buxton, 721-3394. JOIN THE FUN!
Important . . . LOGOS Parents!
Your kids are busy preparing for worship service
participation and Christmas. It is very important that they be on time for LOGOS. Your
efforts will be greatly appreciated!
You will soon be receiving a phone call from your child’s LOGOS Table Parent
requesting help. Please respond by doing your part. YOUR HELP IS DESPERATELY NEEDED!
Women of Reformation
CIRCLE MEETINGS
Priscilla - December 8, 9:30 a.m. Place to be
announced.
Dorcas - December 16, 12:30 p.m. Luncheon
at the home of Barb Lee, 6903 E. 14th St. N.
Ruth - December 17, 7:00 p.m. Place to
be announced.
GENERAL MEETING - December 1, 12:00 noon
Dorcas Circle will be serving a light lunch, baskets will
be made for shut-ins, and a program to put you in the Christmas spirit will be given.
BLANKET MAKERS will meet only on December 7 at 9:00 a.m. this month.
BOARD MEETING will be December 14 at 1:00 in the library.
Items Needed for LOGOS Puppets
- Old wigs or hair pieces
- Shirts, T-shirts, jackets, hats, overalls that would fit a 1-2 year old child
- Blocks of foam at least 5" x 8" x 12"
If you can donate any of these items, please leave them in the church office, marked
for LOGOS puppets.
Also Needed: Volunteers who would like to help supervise making puppets. This is
a short project, probably 6-8 weeks after the first of the year. If interested, call Eva
Whetstone, 681-2007.
Christmas Caroling
Middle school and high school youth and their families (if they wish) will go
caroling on the trolley Sunday evening, Dec. 20. Please plan to meet at the
Mortensens’ home, 7608 Magill, at 5:15 p.m. The group will return to the
Mortensens’ home for hot cider and cookies afterwards.
Best Time of Life
The B.T.O.L. Annual Christmas Luncheon will be held on
Monday, December 14, at 12:00 noon at the home of Howard and Virginia Leikvold, 8417
Willowbrook. Reservations will be needed--and preferably should be made now, but no
later than December 6. This will be a catered meal with a price of $7.50 payable upon
arrival. These will be firm reservations with the caterer, so remember that payment will
be due even if one fails to arrive. Come join us for another happy holiday time! For those
still needing reservations, please call Pauline Latham at 942-4885.
Children/Youth Christmas Service
Our Sunday School children, ages 3 through 8th grade, will
lead us in a Christmas worship service on Sunday, December 20, at 11:00 a.m. Julie Hansen
and John Leavitt are coordinating this service, focused on waiting. If your child(ren)
will not be participating on the 20th, please let their Sunday School teachers know
immediately.
Middle School Youth Activities
Registration forms have been mailed out for the Youth
Quake event on February 5-7. They need to be turned in to Deaconess Doreen by January
3.
Registration forms are also available from Deaconess Doreen for the Synod Leadership
Training Event on January 15-17. If you have not requested a registration form yet,
please see Deaconess Doreen.
High School Youth Activities
On Sunday evening, December 6, the high school youth
will meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. to serve at the Progressive Dinner.
A Bake Sale is planned for Sunday, December 13, between worship services.
Proceeds will benefit our youth ministry.
Pampered Chef cookbooks will be sold during December in the narthex
between services. These make wonderful Christmas gifts!
|
