RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 19 February 1999 Number 2

From the Pastor

Lent is a 40-day period (not counting Sundays) before Easter meant for spiritual renewal. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday when we are reminded of the call of our Lord Jesus to struggle against everything that leads us away from love of God and love of neighbor. We are invited on Ash Wednesday to put ourselves under a Lenten discipline to wage this spiritual warfare. In her column, Deaconess Doreen lifts up several ways that spiritual renewal can take place in your life. However . . .

. . . do you want renewal? I had been talking with excitement about Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life and wondering what the response will be to this opportunity for growth. Large numbers were signing up to get their pictures taken in February for the new directory, but I was wondering . . . how many will participate in the multiple offerings of Discovering God’s Vision. That was when someone shared the sobering reality: not everyone wants to grow!

Is it possible to be a Christian and not be growing--in some way, in some manner? I don’t mean only in matters of knowledge, though that is important too, but in depth of discipleship, strength of faith, and intensity of love. Jesus speaks of himself as the vine and his followers as the branches (John 15). At times, pruning is needed, but branches connected to the Vine are always growing.

For Reformation Lutheran Church to be Servants of God Guided by the Holy Spirit to Make Christ Known members must always be growing--as disciples of Jesus, in works of love and charity, in knowledge of the Biblical story, in depth of mercy and compassion, in habits of worship, in zeal for gospel-centered mission.

Do you want to grow? Do you want renewal? Lent is a time to do it.

- Pastor Jerry Mansholt

From the Deaconess

In the middle of winter we look forward to the spring of the year. We long for the sun to shine down upon us and to warm our bodies. We remember the greening leaves and grass as we look out upon the bare trees and brown grass. And then there is Lent. Lent, the season of the church year that begins with Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 17 this year. The word lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning springtime. Lent, the season before Easter, is a holy springtime of the soul—a time of preparation and nurture for Christian growth.

We have many opportunities to feel the Son shine on us this Lent. Sunday morning worship and Wednesday Lenten services at noon or 7:30 p.m. provide refreshment and renewal through worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Sunday School from 9:45 to 10:45, A ChristCare group, the Discovering God’s Vision for your Life class all provide ways to study and grow with others. During this holy springtime, we can enrich our lives and service through personal study of God’s Word, use of individual and family devotions and meditation.

To help you with family devotion time (whether you’re a family of one or a family of six), you will be receiving a devotion booklet written by Reformation family and friends. Also, if you have children in Sunday School, each family will receive a "Sticker Journey Through Lent" entitled Gather ‘Round the Cross. It can be used at the meal time or bedtime. It consists of a daily short Bible reading from the Gospel of Matthew, a prayer, and a sticker of a person or group of people to put on the provided cross centerpiece. Just five minutes each day will make this Lenten season more meaningful for your children.

May this Lenten season be a time of growth and renewal for your family. Let the Son, Jesus Christ, shine upon you and bring life and greenness to your days.

- Deaconess Doreen Leptien

 

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the family of Reformation Lutheran for helping John and I deal with a very difficult period. My mother [Faye Peters] held you all very close to her heart. The weekly services, phone calls, and visitations over the years meant a lot and will not be forgotten. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And please pass this on to everyone involved with the after-service coffee and rolls -- everything was wonderful.

- Bill Braley & Family
- John G. Peters

* * *

The family of Roger Kasdorf wishes to express appreciation to members and friends of Reformation Lutheran Church for their prayers, visits, cards and notes during the past months. We are very grateful for the friendship and care so many of you extended to Dad and to us. Special thanks to Pastor Mansholt for his words of comfort to Dad and to us, and to Jette Mortensen for the wonderful care and concern she showed so frequently during Dad’s final illness. Reformation Lutheran Church is indeed fortunate to have such a caring and close-knit Christian community.

* * *

A big THANK YOU to everyone who so generously provided gifts for our Christmas Angels.

A special THANK YOU to the Reformation Knitters who provided stocking caps for the Christmas Angels.

- Community Outreach

 

Usher Schedule for February

8:30 SERVICE: Randy Worrell, Bob Weaver

11:00 SERVICE: David Day, Fred Hambright, Ben Langel, Mark Metz, Mike Metz, Jan Moyer, Ken Woodard

Friday Afternoon Bible Study

The Bible Study Group that meets Friday afternoon, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., in the Conference Room at church will be doing a spiritual gifts inventory, "Discover God’s Vision," for eight weeks beginning February 26.

From the Balcony . . .

There are music opportunities available to members of Reformation to help lead our worship. Please consider one of the following to share your gifts.

1. Reformation Choir

Do you enjoy singing? Do you attend late service? Have you thought about joining the choir but were concerned about the weekly commitment? Why not try the choir for a limited time commitment during Lent and Easter and see what a difference God’s gift of music can make in your life. The choir is open to adults and meets Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. for an hour. Now’s a great time to join us as we’ll be starting music for Lent and Easter.

2. Bell Choir

You like music and can read music, but singing isn’t your thing. Why not try bell choir? The choir is open to adults and meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Well there it is. You have a chance to lift your spirit (and help others) in praise to the Lord. If you’re interested and have questions, ask John Leavitt, Cantor, or just come unannounced and try us out!

The Parish Record

OCTOBER - DECEMBER

BAPTISM

• Anjanette Kay Heckman, October 17
• Brigitta Bogan, November 15
• Gregory Dean Bogan, November 15
• Samantha Danielle Bogan, November 15
• Richard Eric Lucas, November 15
• Alex Tyler Stuewe, December 13

DEATH

• Roger Kasdorf, December 20
• Faye Peters, December 24

TRANSFER

• Dick & Georgene Kreeger to Trinity Lutheran, Cook, Minnesota
• Julie Regier to First United Presbyterian, Newton, Kansas
• Lois Nelson to Mount Olivet Lutheran, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Women of Reformation

CIRCLE MEETINGS

• Priscilla Tuesday, February 9 - 9:30 a.m. at church Nursery available by calling 529-1491
• Ruth Thursday, February 11 - 7:00 p.m. at the home of Eunice Myers, 2725 Beacon Hill Ct.
• Sarah Monday, February 15 - 7:00 p.m. at the home of Clarice Peters, 2003 S. Terrace Dr.
• Dorcas Wednesday, February 17 - 1:00 p.m. at church
• Rachel Thursday, February 25 -7:00 p.m. at church Nursery available by calling 683-5520

BOARD MEETING - February 1, 1:00 p.m. at church. All circle leaders and officers are expected to attend.

BLANKET MAKERS meet February 1 and 15 at 9:00 a.m. Come, cut, organize or tie a blanket or lap robe while enjoying fellowship with other ladies.

Your donations to the THANKOFFERING were tremendous in 1998. A total of $231.63 was sent to the WELCA for this special offering. Thanks for your contributions.

Best Time of Life

B.T.O.L. will meet Monday, February 8, at 12:00 noon in the Parish Hall for a potluck luncheon. At 1:00 p.m. Rev. Robert Kloth will talk on "Pastoral Ministry for Inmates." This will be an interesting discussion of his pastoral ministry for a group of sometimes forgotten and troubled people. We hope to see you on February 8.

Annual Chili / Soup Lunch

Boy Scout Troop 523 will hold the annual Chili / Soup lunch after the 11:00 service on Sunday, February 7. Proceeds from the lunch will assist the troop in attending summer camp. The congregation is invited. Bring your friends!

Chili Supper and WSU Basketball

The WSU Shocker Basketball team will play Bradley on Saturday, February 20, at 7:30 p.m. All Reformation members (or friends) who plan to attend this game are invited to a chili supper at church prior to the game. Join us for food, fun, and festivities at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary, so please call either Lotus Gerards, 683-8602, or Carol Ott, 683-5482, by February 17. (To help cover costs, we ask that each adult pay $2.) Hope to hear from you!

Sr. High Youth News

Ever wonder why you don’t see high school youth in the building during the Sunday School hour? Well, that is because the high school youth meet at Homestead for Sunday School. On an average, 14 youth attend Sunday School along with one or two Homestead residents. The curriculum and structure of Sunday School is a little different this year. The first Sunday of each month we have a member of the congregation come speak to the youth, telling us about their faith. (If you would like to be a speaker, please contact Carla Johnson.) The second Sunday of each month we meet in the narthex and go out for breakfast. The Sunday School curriculum on that day revolves around the reading and discussion of various devotion topics. The remaining Sundays we focus on interactive material that involves small and large group activities. If you are a high school youth and are interested in learning more about our Sunday School, please contact Dan & Kathy Wegner or Tom & Jill Pletcher.

Sr. High Youth will be selling Pampered Chef cookbooks in the narthex for $10.59. Proceeds support our Youth Ministry.

Sr. High Youth will be meeting right after late service on Sunday, February 7, to go to the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson (weather permitting). Please bring money for lunch.

Sr. High Youth will be meeting from 4:00 to 6:00 on Sunday, February 21.

Meditation Garden

An update and reminder: The plans were completed and issued for bid on January 20, and the construction bids are to be returned by February 3. In anticipation of receiving favorable bids, the deadline for ordering a monogrammed brick for the Meditation Garden is Sunday, February 14. Order forms remain in the narthex on the display.

ChristCare Is Part of the Answer

In recent months, we have heard much about the vision statement of Reformation Lutheran Church, "Servants of God guided by the Holy Spirit to make Christ Known," and we have been learning how as individuals and as a congregation we can fulfill that vision. ChristCare Small Group Ministry is another way for us to become the servants we seek to be.

Christ is central to ChristCare Groups, and ChristCare group members meet Jesus in each other, in the Scriptures, in times of prayer and worship, and through reaching out to others in the church or community. When you’re in a ChristCare group, you never have to go through a tough time alone, be it a major crisis or just the bumps and bruises of daily life. You always have friends in Christ with whom to share your joys, sorrows, triumphs and defeats. Being a member of a ChristCare group gives you the opportunity to reach out with Christ’s love to others who are experiencing life’s disappointments and difficulties, and that can be a life-changing experience.

Reformation has ChristCare Group Leaders who are trained and commissioned to lead groups and who are eager to share what they have learned with others. Watch for information in each Sunday’s bulletin on the groups currently forming or call Cheryl Hoops at 685-7566 for more information. ChristCare groups are not for members only, so if you know someone who might be interested in participation, please let Cheryl Hoops or Roy Brockmeier know.

Church Pictorial Directory

All of you are urged to have your pictures taken for our new directory. You may sign up for your sitting date and time on Sunday, January 31, in the narthex. Pictures will be taken at Reformation Church during February 9 -13. Remember that you will receive a free 8 x 10 photograph.

From the Seminary . . .

Thank you for the warm hospitality you extended to Quinn, Anne, and me while we were in Wichita at Christmas time. It was great to be home! I have been a member of Reformation for nearly twenty years, so I have many old friends. The congregation has changed and grown in the short time I have been away, and it is good to meet new members and make new friends.

When I began my seminary journey in June 1997, I was anxious. The life I was leaving was secure: family, friends, home, work. The life into which I was moving was utterly unknown. I had faith that my call to serve God was true and that my daughters and I would be safe. Some days, though, I thought the change was madness--a lapse of faith on my part. My situation was a little like the scene in the Indiana Jones movie, where Indie steps out, in faith, and a stone bridge appears so that he may safely cross the chasm.

The love that Reformation has extended to me has steadied the bridge that I walk. Your prayers, financial support, letters, e-mails, and phone calls give me hope. They also give a boost to read another book, write another paper, and exegete another Greek passage. Reformation is a congregation with a strong sense of mission; thank you for making my journey a part of it.

Peace and Joy, Dawn Gorges

Creative Lenten Family Time

Lenten Wreath

Make a "crown of thorns" wreath using a grapevine wreath as the base. Place seven purple candles in the wreath for each of the weeks of Lent and a white candle in the center to represent Christ. Make this wreath the center of your family Lenten devotion time, lighting one candle during the first week and adding a candle each week. Begin Holy Week with all the candles lit, then extinguish one candle each night. Light the white Christ candle on Easter to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

Giving to Others

As a family, decide not to buy special treat items that you would normally buy like ice cream or pop or going to a movie during Lent. Instead use that money to buy items for the Food Bank or send the money on Easter to the ELCA World Hunger (8765 West Higgins Rd, Chicago IL 60631-4187).

Yellow Bags

About the time you receive this newsletter, bright Yellow Bags will be seen at church and in member homes. They are part of a Meal-a-Month ministry. The Yellow Bags will help Reformation members supply food items in greater quantity and on a more regular basis to the United Methodist Urban Ministry food pantry.

The Letter of James calls upon Christians to be "doers of the word and not merely hearers" (1:22). The Meal-a-Month ministry will provide a yellow bag and menu items each month, so members can bring a meal a month. Yellow Bags serve as a reminder, like a Lenten discipline, to remember the hungry.

You are asked to bring the Yellow Bags for the first time on February 21. On that first Sunday in Lent money and food offerings will be brought forward and placed before the altar. The Yellow Bag Meal-a-Month ministry will be up and running.

Bethany College Sunday

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a treasure in its 28 universities and colleges. One of them is just 70 miles north on I-135 in Lindsborg. On February 14 (Valentine’s Day) you can show your love for Bethany!

Rev. Dr. Ron MacLennan, Professor of Religion at Bethany (and former Reformation Pastor) will be our guest preacher that day. Accompanying Ron will be Dr. Paul Tegels, Assistant Professor of Music (Organ), and a student string quartet. With Mary Swenson, Vice President for Advancement; Karen Humphreys, Director of Planned Giving; and a representative from the Admissions Office; they also will speak about Bethany College at 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

Bethany College Alumni will be recognized in both services.

Bethany College is a fully accredited, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Bethany grants Bachelor of Arts degrees in more than 18 areas of study. Their graduates are highly sought after by employers and do very well in graduate, engineering and professional schools.

Exploring Church Membership

Interested in membership at Reformation? Got questions about Lutherans or Reformation Church? Then Exploring Church Membership is for you!

On Sunday, February 28, noon to 3:00 p.m., you can enjoy lunch at church, learn some things about Reformation’s 47-year history, explore some basic teachings and practices of Lutherans, get a tour of the building, and hear about some ministry opportunities through the congregation. Babysitting will be provided.

All this is a prelude to the next New Member Reception, Sunday, March 14.

Wednesday Lenten Worship

Ash Wednesday liturgy with the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion will be at 7:30 p.m. on February 17. The service will be preceded by a Congregational Meal at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Beginning Wednesday, February 24, there will be two opportunities for Lenten worship:

• 12:00 Noonday Worship and Luncheon (Parish Hall) Angels, Watch in Solemn Wonder is a 30-minute Lenten service exploring scriptural accounts of angelic activity and the suffering and death of Jesus.

• 7:30 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer with Lenten readings and music

Midweek offerings during the Lenten season are designated for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.

Parents of Young Children Gathering

On Sunday, February 7, all parents of young children and expecting parents are invited to a gathering from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. We will have a Sloppy Joe supper and then break into small groups to talk about how the congregation can best minister to families of young children. Areas will be set up in the Parish Hall to accommodate children of various ages so that the "village" can care for the children. If you have any questions, please contact any of the ministry staff team.