RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 19 January 1999 Number 1
From the Pastor
Inviting - Growing - Sending. These three
words can help us understand the mission of Reformation Lutheran Church. For us to be Servants
of God, Guided by the Holy Spirit, to Make Christ Known (our vision statement), we
must be about the work that all Christians are called to do: To tell as many people
as possible about Jesus Christ and help them grow in discipleship.
Thus we speak the Good News of Jesus Christ for the purpose of calling one another and
others into a life of Christian discipleship. This mission of the church is a threefold
process: inviting people into the life of the congregation and/or into a deeper
relationship with Christ; growing as disciples of Jesus; and sending people
forth in ministry with the gifts God has given them.
Our Ministry Staff meets weekly to network, coordinate, and implement ministries. While
there is a lot of overlap, these are the general areas in which each person works:
Barbara Lee has responsibilities in those areas of inviting and welcoming
people. Ministry Teams that greet people on Sundays, produce bulk mailings to the
community or organize a Friendship Sunday are the kinds of ministries she coordinates.
Deaconess Doreen has responsibilities in the area of growing disciples. She
works with Ministry Teams that provide for learning ministries for children, youth and
adults. Doreen also works with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Logos.
Lotus Gerards has responsibilities in the area of sending people forth to serve.
Ministry Teams that reach out in mission beyond the congregation or provide ministry
member to member are in her area of responsibility. Lotus relates to ministries such as
Stephen Ministry, Parish Nurse, and ChristCare
Small Group Ministry, community outreach.
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
I’m not sure I understand about these ministry
teams, but it seems to me like a group of people wanting to do dramas could be a ministry
team. This comment was made to both Pastor Mansholt and me a few weeks ago. The
speaker truly does understand this concept of ministry teams.
At an Education Committee meeting in November, I asked the members to think about ways
in which they could use their gifts. One person hesitantly announced that she would like
to see us do more for our high school graduates. She then indicated that she would be
willing to help plan a celebration for this important step in our young people’s
lives.
These are just two examples of how individuals can generate a ministry team in which
they are excited and how persons can use the gifts that God has given them to serve
God’s people here and in the community. The future implementation of a Spiritual
Gifts inventory will help people identify a ministry team or teams of which they would
like to be part. But until then, ministry continues. I encouraged you to consider how you
fit into the mission of Reformation to be Servants of God, Guided by the Holy Spirit to
Make Christ Known. Whether you are interested in being part of a current ministry or
have an idea for a new ministry team, there is a place for each person to use his/her
gifts.
Speaking of gifts, we are moving forward with our Spiritual Gifts Ministry. A Gifts
Ministry Team has been formed with Dallas Cronk as the coordinator. Other members of the
team include Galen and Karen Blume, Pat Johnson, and Jill Pletcher. The team is currently
evaluating all the materials available in order to determine what kind of process and
inventory will best fit our needs here at Reformation. The current goal is to begin the
process at least with a small group of people by March. We will keep you posted.
- Deaconess Doreen Leptien
Dear Reformation Family,
Your care and concern, expressed in so many ways, these past few weeks after the death
of my grandson were a great comfort to me and my family. Please continue to pray for us.
In Christian love,
- Vera M. Bentson
* * *
Thank you to all those women who contributed food and money for the Women’s Crisis
Center Thanksgiving dinner. Twenty-four people were served.
* * *
We wish to express our thanks to members of Reformation for their many cards, visits,
and prayers during the illness of our mother, Helen Peters, and Clarice’s surgery. We
especially wish to thank Pastor Mansholt for his visits and prayers and that of our
"angel in residence," Jette Mortensen, for her comfort and help.
- Clarice & Gene Peters
* * *
Dear Reformation Church,
We thank you for your generous gifts to us this Christmas season. We are especially
mindful of the many ways you demonstrate love and support in the ministry we share. May
the blessings of the newborn King shine within your heart.
John Leavitt Becky Deckard Dale Osborne Pastor Jerry Mansholt Deaconess Doreen
Leptien
* * *
Congregation Meeting - January 10
There will be a Congregation Informational Meeting on
Sunday, January 10, at 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall. A financial report for 1998 and the
budget for 1999 will be presented.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Reformation Lutheran Church will be
held Sunday, January 24, at 12:45 p.m. Following the 11:00 worship, a luncheon will be
provided by the High School Youth in the Parish Hall. The meeting will convene in the
sanctuary following the lunch.
Meditation Garden Status
Many members have been asking about the status of the Meditation Garden plans, funding,
and whether there is still time to order a monogrammed brick? The plans are nearing
completion, and we expect to be able to send them out for bids the first part of January.
If the drawings are ready to go out for bids in early January, we might be able to report
the results at the Annual Meeting on January 24. Through November 1998, we have received a
total of $72,828 for construction of the Meditation Garden. It was reported at the 1998
Annual Meeting that the estimated cost would be $75,000 to $80,000. In anticipation of
receiving bids for construction by January 24, the deadline for ordering a monogrammed
brick for the Meditation Garden has been set for Sunday, February 14. Order forms remain
in the narthex on the display. Please contact Waldo Gerards, 683-8602, or Loren Deines,
683-3935, if you have any questions.
Progressive Dinner
A big "Thank You" to everyone who made the
Progressive Dinner a great success. Thanks to those who offered their homes and their
helpers, the crew who set up and decorated the tables, and the cooks who treated us to a
very tasty meal. The high school youth and their sponsors did a fantastic job of serving
and cleaning up. Wil Johnson and his cast of thousands entertained us with a very
meaningful play.
Since we prepared the main course and desserts and had very few requests for
reimbursement of expenses submitted, we had an overage. We will divide this between the
High School Youth and the debt reduction fund. The small amount of leftover food was given
to the St. Anthony Catholic Family Shelter.
If you are interested in being a part of a team to continue the Progressive Dinner in
1999, we would like to form a ministry team for that purpose. Please contact any member of
the ministry staff to indicate your interest.
Wedding Coordinator
Anyone interested in helping coordinate weddings at
Reformation should contact Elizabeth Sherwood at 773-3846.
Women of Reformation
CIRCLE MEETINGS
Priscilla January 12 9:30 a.m. at church. Nursery
available with 24-hr. notice
Ruth January 14 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jo
Schmidt, 316 Pecan Ct., Andover
Sarah January 18 7:00 p.m. at the home of
Shirley Anderson, 1140 Apache Dr.
Dorcas January 20 1:00 p.m. at the home of
Nadine Norton, 4758 Portwest Ct.
Rachel January 28 7:00 p.m. at church.
Nursery available with 24-hr. notice
GENERAL MEETING - January 5, 7:00 p.m.
in Parish Hall. Come for fellowship and to hear Pastor
Mansholt present an introduction to the study of Revelation and Genesis which will be held
in the monthly circle meetings this year.
BOARD MEETING - January 4, 1:00 p.m.
(Notice change to first Monday) This is an important
meeting concerning plans for 1999. The input of all officers and circle leaders is needed.
Best Time of Life
The New Year for B.T.O.L. will begin on Monday, January 11, with the potluck
luncheon at 12:00 noon in the Parish Hall. We’ll play BINGO!--so bring with you a
gift-wrapped white elephant to add to the table of prizes for winners. All senior adults
are invited for another friendly get-together.
Shepherd’s Center for Age 55+
Are you looking for something interesting and fun to do
this winter? The winter session of East Wichita Shepherd’s Center begins January 12
and continues through March 2. Classes are held each Tuesday, 9:30 to 3:15 at East Heights
United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas. Class listings and registration forms are
available in the narthex.
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.
Youth Registrations Due
Youth in grades 6-9 who are planning to attend the Youth
Quake on February 5-7 need to turn in their registration forms by Sunday, January 3. A
deposit of $30, payable to Youth Encounter should be attached to registration
forms. Money from fundraisers will cover $20 per youth. If you have any questions or need
a registration form, please contact Deaconess Doreen.
Registrations for the Synod Youth Leadership Event in Kansas City on January
15-17 are also due on Sunday, January 3. Please attach to registration form a check for
$25, payable to Central States Synod. For more information or a registration form,
contact Kathy Wegner or Deaconess Doreen.
Middle School Youth
The Middle School Youth will gather for their monthly
activity on Friday, January 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Come and invite a friend!
High School Class
Deaconess Doreen will be the guest speaker on January 3 for
the High School Sunday School class. She will talk about faith, depression, and suicide.
From the Seminary . . .
Dear Friends,
January is a month for beginnings. The Roman god Janus, for whom the month was named,
was the guardian of new beginnings. Often we make resolutions--hoped for beginnings, which
we break before the month ends. These broken resolutions contribute to the regret that the
month brings to many of us.
January is a bewildering time because of the tension between hope and regret.
Interestingly, Janus is represented with two faces, one at the front and one at the back
of his head, so that he looks both forward in hope and backward in regret. We confess our
regrets each Sunday, "We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what
we have done and by what we have left undone." The tension between the regret we have
over our shortcomings and the hope of beginnings is what stirs us to move forward.
My prayer for each of you this New Year is that you allow yourself to fully experience
the tension between hope and regret. I further pray that you engage your feelings. The
outcome may be surprising beginnings for you and your community.
Peace, Dawn Gorges
Strategic Planning Retreat
A Strategic Planning Retreat for the Church
Council, staff, and other leaders has been set for Friday evening/Saturday morning,
January 29 and 30, at Reformation. Mr. Larry Lemke, Parish Ministry Associate at Trinity
Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO, will be the retreat leader. The goal of the retreat is the
development of a long range planning process, centered in the congregation’s stated
vision and mission.
New Pictorial Directory
Mark your 1999 calendars to have your picture taken at
church during the second week of February. A new church pictorial directory will be
published and all members are urged to participate. You will receive one free
8" x 10" photograph with no obligation to buy additional pictures. Sign up for
your sitting date and time on January 17, 24, & 31. Pictures will be taken at church
beginning Tuesday, February 9, through Saturday, February 13.
Epiphany Worship - January 6
Advent, Christmas, and then, Epiphany. Wednesday, January
6, is the Feast of Epiphany. With children processing with stars, we will gather at 7:00
p.m. to pray and sing and celebrate Holy Communion. We will gather as the Magi of old to
bring gifts to the King, born in Bethlehem. Logos and confirmation students will use some
of their time together to prepare their parts in worship.
Bagels and Bible Study
Deaconess Doreen will host a time for Bagels and Bible
Study on Saturday, January 23, 9:30-10:30 a.m., and again on Sunday, January 24,
9:45-10:45 a.m. This is an opportunity for all Sunday School teachers to meet for
spiritual and physical food and to share their joys and concerns.
New Parent Gathering
All new and expecting parents are invited to a get-together
on Sunday, January 31, in the late afternoon. Come meet other new parents and share with
the staff ministry team about your ministry needs and how your gifts can best be utilized.
Look for more information on this gathering in early January.
Table Talk: Conversations about Homosexuality
Former presiding Bishop of the ELCA Herbert
Chilstrom and Rev. Corinne Chilstrom will present a series of discussions across the
Central States Synod on the issue of homosexuality and the church. The events are open to
all, and the cost is $10.00 including lunch. The January 29 event will be held at
St. John Lutheran Church, Salina, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information
see the bulletin board in Parish Hall or call the church office. The deadline for
registration is January 22.
January Ushers
The following are scheduled to serve at the
11:00 worship service during the month of January:
Don Anderson Chris Koepsel
Mark Buxton Randy Koepsel
Mike Buxton Craig Stallwitz
Scott Fraizer
The Twenty-Third Psalm
Following are two very different renditions of Psalm 23. At
this time of new beginnings with New Year 1999, consider which view of life and lifestyle
you will adhere to.
The Workaholics 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my Foreman, I shall not rest.
He makes me mow down the green pastures;
he leads me to generators beside rapid waters.
He wears out my soul.
He shoves me to conferences for my schedule’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of relaxation,
I fear no chance of rest;
for my feelings of guilt, they haunt me;
they whip and they goad, they confront me.
Thou dost prepare a worktable before me
in the presence of my comrades.
Thou hast filled my mind with worry; my workload overflows.
Surely busyness and pressure shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I will run to and fro in the house of the Lord forever.
Twenty-Third Psalm for Busy People
The Lord is my pacesetter, I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals;
He provides me with images of stillness
which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency, through calmness of mind,
and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish this day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here;
His timelessness, His all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity
by anointing my mind with the oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
for I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
and dwell in His house forever.
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