RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 19 May 1999 Number 5
From the Pastor
Back in January the Leadership Retreat for our Church
Council and other leaders identified several Ministry Goals. One was to be more
intentional in outreach to people who have no church home, who are not living as disciples
of Jesus Christ. A Task Force has begun meeting and is trying to find ways to be more
intentional in outreach. Someone asked what is meant by intentional outreach. Were we
seeking to reach out in service to others, perhaps to serve a need in our neighborhood or
larger community? Or, were we reaching out for the purpose of bringing others into
membership at Reformation, or, to put it another way, into a deeper relationship with God
as a disciple of Jesus Christ? In truth, it is both.
Consider the Community Cookout for Kosovo on May 1. Here is an event begun because
someone voiced a desire to do something locally to minister to the plight of the refugees
from Kosovo. I expect that a large amount of money will be raised and vital supplies will
be made available on the other side of the globe through the ELCA International Disaster
Response. That is outreach through service for others. We must not lose sight of this
mandate to love and serve others.
But the Community Cookout is being promoted with outdoor banners, radio announcements,
and fliers handed out to neighbors. Pony rides are meant to attract children and their
families. I expect Reformation members to become acquainted with some new faces from the
neighborhood. As a part of the Cookout, people will be invited to participate in the
Prayer Vigil for Kosovo in the sanctuary. Who knows how God will stir hearts and souls
through this outreach! Relationships we develop with people may lead to their walking in
the way of the Lord. This too is an important part of Christ's mission--to make disciples.
Everything we do can and should be connected to intentional outreach in some way! When we
begin thinking in those terms, then we begin to move from "maintenance only" to
mission.
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you
always to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus instructed his disciples to make more disciples. Jesus did not say to make
members. Jesus did not say to make workers. Jesus was very clear with his instructions: Go
therefore and make disciples. . . . Our Task Force on Deepening Discipleship continues
to wrestle with exactly what that means at Reformation to be disciples and to make
disciples.
This great commission in Matthew (as it is often called) makes it clear that
discipleship is not a passive title, nor is it a quiet activity you can do by yourself.
Jesus says first to, Go. Being a disciple may mean leaving our comfortable position
in the pew or even in the building. Discipleship includes being baptized, covered
with God's grace and marked with the sign of Christ's cross. Disciples both learn and teach
God's word and obedience.
No, being a disciple and making disciples is not for those who are content to just sit
in the pew. Although the Task Force has not yet agreed upon a nicely polished definition
of discipleship, it has become clear that discipling is an active process that includes
growing in God's Word, worshiping together in order to be refreshed to go out into the
world we live in to share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Are you a disciple? Do you want to be a disciple of Christ or are you content being a
member of a congregation? These are hard questions, but they are questions each of us
needs to answer for ourselves. It seems that being a disciple cannot be separated from
being a servant of God, guided by the Holy Spirit to make Christ known. May we all
continue to grow in our understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
- Deaconess Doreen Leptien
The High School Youth and AAL Branch #4499 co-sponsored the Easter Breakfast again this
year. Thank you to those who donated an Easter breakfast casserole: Linda Hoepner, Mindy
Kershaw, Judy McDiffett, Barbara Woodard, Loren Deines, Pam Buxton, Ruth Koepsel, Jo Ellen
Vandersee, Lola Wilks, Ann Vaughan, Anita Mansholt, and Marsha Sears. A special thank you
goes to Jette Mortensen for making the hot cross buns! A total of $591.99 was collected in
the freewill offering.
Thank you all for supporting our youth ministry!
* * *
I wish to thank my many friends at Reformation for their cards, their well wishes, and
especially the many prayers that were offered for me before and during my recent surgery.
God was with me, as were all of you. Thanks to Pastor Jerry for his prayers and visits and
to our faithful Parish Nurses for their visits and concern. Everyone has been so kind and
thoughtful; it will never be forgotten.
Sincerely, Dorla Alseike
* * *
To My Reformation Family,
Thank you for all your prayers, calls, food, cards, visits, and flowers during my
recent hip replacement. Our Parish Nurse, Barbara Lee, what a gift of faith and healing
you bring with your many visits and calls. How lucky we are to have our Parish Nurse
program in time of need. Pastor Mansholt, thank you for your continued caring.
- Rose Fladeland
* * *
THANK YOU! to all the members of our Aid Association for Lutherans chapter who prepared
and served a delicious dinner for our new members and their sponsors. Special thanks go to
"Chef" Rich McDiffett. This meal was another example of AAL's generous service
to our congregation. You are encouraged to contact Doug Vandersee if you are interested in
this organization.
Usher Schedule for May
- 8:30 Jack Dickerson, Gary Hoepner
- 11:00 Loren Deines, Andy Martin, Chris Deines, Keith Martin,
Jenna Godwin, Dick Hasselwander
The Parish Record
JANUARY - MARCH
BAPTISM
- Sydney Marie Freed, January 17
- Kathryn Jane Frances Hobart, February 14
- Sophie Elizabeth Bachman, March 7
- Holli Leigh Schmidt, March 7
- Sarah Michelle Schmidt, March 7
- Haylee Ranae Schmidt, March 7
- Casey James Schmidt, March 7
- Tanner Henning Schmidt, March 7
MARRIAGE
- Melissa Hunt and Derek Rindt, January 9
- Cindy Kuhlman and Paul Matzek, February 6
TRANSFER
- James & Bonnie Haugen, to Gloria Dei Lutheran, Wichita
- Raymond Shinn & Kristin Blomquist, Aaron, to Our Savior's Lutheran, Topeka, KS
- Michael & Daria Springer, Madison, to Southwood Lutheran, Lincoln, NE
- Sam & Evonne Ryken, Benjamin, Scott, to Christ the King Lutheran, South Bend, IN
Pentecost Celebration for All
The entire congregation is invited to a Pentecost
celebration on May 23 from 10:00 to 10:45 in the Parish Hall. As the Holy Spirit
came upon the apostles on that first Pentecost, we will come together as the people of
God, filled with the Holy Spirit to celebrate the birthday of the Christian church. Crafts
and activities will be for all ages. The grand finale will be sharing a Pentecost birthday
cake!
There is a new Summer Worship Schedule being
tried this year. Beginning June 6 and extending through the last Sunday of August, the
worship schedule will be 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. A Sunday coffee/brunch will be offered each
week between services from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. Ministry Teams to assist with the Sunday
morning hospitality are now being organized. For more information contact Lotus Gerards.
Women of Reformation
CIRCLE MEETINGS
- Priscilla Tuesday, May 11 9:30 a.m., in church library. Nursery available with
prior notice
- Ruth
Thursday, May 13 7:00 p.m., at the home of Carla Johnson, 8523 E.
Wassall St.
- Sarah
Monday, May 17 7:00 p.m., at the home of Loretta Seitz, 8306 E. Gilbert
St.
- Dorcas
Wednesday, May 19 1:00 p.m., at the home of Mark Dickerson, 2123 Bluff
Ct.
- Rachel
Thursday, May 27 7:00 p.m., at church. Nursery available with prior
notice
Blanket Makers will start hand quilting a quilt on May 3. The quilt will be
available for quilting or viewing Monday thru Friday until it is finished. Quilters are
needed for any time you can spare. Call Carol Ott if you have questions.
Board Meeting - Monday, May 3, 1:00 p.m., in the church library for all officers
and circle leaders.
Thankofferings support Simba Circle. Fifteen-year-old Joshua has practically
grown up in the streets of Chicago. He had his first brush with the law when he was only
eight. He has slept in alleys and hallways almost as often as he has slept in a bed.
Last spring he wandered into St. Stephen's Lutheran Church on Chicago's south side.
That contact led to two weeks at the Simba Circle camp for young African-American males at
Strawberry Point, Iowa. A rites-of-passage program, sponsored in part by the ELCA's
Division for Church in Society, Simba gave Josh something he never had before: a place to
belong.
Today Josh is taking confirmation classes. He expects to be baptized in the spring and
return to the Simba camp next summer. When you make your Thankofferings through Women of
the ELCA, you let young men like Josh know they belong.
Church Women United in Wichita - May Friendship Day, May 7, 1:00 p.m., at Mt.
Vernon United Methodist Church, 5701 E. Mt. Vernon (Note: Mt. Vernon St. is closed east of
the church). This celebration theme, "God's Sweet Surprises: Angels, Mentors, and
Friends," invites us to recognize and affirm and deepen relationships with people who
touch our lives in special ways. The program will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. Fellowship
time will be incorporated into the program.
Best Time of Life
B.T.O.L. will meet Monday, May 10, at 12:00 noon in the
Parish Hall for its monthly potluck luncheon. The after-luncheon speaker will be Jim
Mason, staff naturalist for the Great Plains Nature Center. Jim has had a life-long
interest in the environment. He currently is a member of a number of wildlife conservatory
organizations, one of which is the Ark Valley Butterfly Club. His slide presentation will
focus on "Butterfly Gardens." All mature adults interested in this phase of
nature are invited.
From the Seminary . . .
Dear Friends,
The track of ordination in the Lutheran church takes four years. The first year is
dedicated primarily to history and languages. Then comes a summer of clinical pastoral
education, spent in a hospital setting. The second year is a continuation of languages,
plus systematic theology. The third year is spent as a pastoral intern in a congregational
setting.
A few weeks ago I received my internship assignment at St.
Matthew's Lutheran Church in Waco, Texas. St. Matthew's has some remarkable similarities
to Reformation. St. Matthew's was established in 1952. There are 800 baptized members, and
the average monthly attendance is 265. Kenneth Moerbe is pastor, and Patricia Dietrich is
associate pastor. Anne and I will be moving to Waco this summer, and my duties will
probably begin in August.
Thank you for all the prayers and support you have offered
me and my girls during these first two years of seminary. Such a dramatic lifestyle change
has presented challenges to us, but we have never questioned my call, and your continued
kindness has kept our spirits up.
God's peace to each of you, Dawn Gorges
Class of 1999: Senior Recognition
On Sunday morning, May 30, Reformation will begin what we
hope will become a tradition. Our graduating seniors will be honored with a breakfast to
be served in the Parish Hall. Invited to join them will be their families, our pastor,
deaconess, and youth sponsors. The breakfast will be prepared and served by younger
members of the high school youth group and their parents. A gift will be presented to each
senior on behalf of the congregation, and following the breakfast, the seniors and their
families will be seated together and recognized during the 11:00 worship service.
Although our families live in several communities and these students attend different
high schools, we are all part of one church family, and we offer them our sincere
congratulations along with our prayers for God's blessings as they complete this important
step in their lives.
Our graduates of the Class of 1999 are: Sara Baska, Troy Drake, Hillary Heine, Andy
Martin, Kevin Pfeiffer, and Amy Pletcher.
Vacation Bible School is fast approaching, but it's not too late to join our Treasure
Hunt Bible Adventure! Invite your friends and neighbors to come June 14-18. In
order to accommodate working families, we will once again be using an evening time slot of
6:00-8:30 p.m.
Preschoolers, 3 years and older, will have activities geared especially for their age
group. Kindergartners through fourth graders (completed) will form teams of five and
travel to various treasure activities. All children will meet together at opening and
closing time for songs and fun. Friday, June 18, parents are invited at 8:30 p.m. to a
Treasure Hunt Finale Dessert, where the children will share what they've learned through
the week.
Remember, VBS is a great time to utilize your spiritual gifts! See the church bulletin
board for volunteer opportunities or call Carole Lofing (687-4680), Jo Ellen Vandersee
(744-3769), Joan Lucas (733-7424), or Patty Taylor (788-2435).
Registration forms, along with $5 per child, are due in the church office by May 16.
So, grab your compass and binoculars and join us at Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure, where
kids discover Jesus... the greatest treasure of all!
AAL Meeting by the River
AAL Branch 4499 will hold their May meeting by the river
after the River Festival church service on May 9. Grab a doughnut and come join us for a
brief meeting to discuss upcoming events. Contact Doug Vandersee or Rich McDiffett if you
have any questions.
Lost & Found
Are you missing something? Many and varied items have been
"found" at church! From jackets and gloves to glasses cases and shoes, these
items are on display on a table in the narthex. Please claim any items that are yours.
Unclaimed items will be donated to charity after May 2.
Stephen Ministry
Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to
care, to listen, to share God?s love with you can help you get through times of confusion,
stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.
The Stephen Ministry program at Reformation is about giving the love and care that
people who are hurting need. Stephen Ministers are lay persons who are trained and
committed to providing distinctive Christian care, through one-to-one relationships, to
people experiencing a difficult time in their life.
Every Stephen Minister receives approximately 50 hours of training prior to
commissioning. We expect to begin a new class of Stephen Ministers this September. On
August 15, following both services, there will be an orientation session to provide
details and to answer questions about the Stephen Ministry program. Please watch the
Sunday bulletin and the Re-Focus for more information.
If you know someone who you feel could benefit from having a Stephen Minister to care
for them, or if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Pastor Mansholt
or one of the Stephen Leaders (Lotus Gerards, Dallas Cronk, Rich McDiffett, or Jerry
Whetstone).
Web Page
The Reformation Lutheran Church web page is now three years
old! In three years there have been over 6000 visits to the web page. Also during that
time, the number of ELCA churches with web pages has grown from 137 churches to more than
1400. If you haven't seen the site in a while, there have been some changes. There are new
photos, and the monthly Re-Focus and Council minutes are also posted on the web
site. Although the Council minutes are not considered sensitive information, there is some
concern about it being made so public on the internet. So this and some other information
are available in a protected directory that requires a password to access. We have
also recently added an e-mail distribution list for pertinent information about the
church. If you would like to be added to this distribution list, please see the web site
or e-mail Mark. And don't forget to include http://www.reformation-lutheran.org on
external literature.
Confirmation Sunday
On Sunday May 2, nine eighth graders will affirm their
Baptism during the 11:00 service. This is not an end for these young people, but one step
along their faith journey.
They will present their faith stories during a Confirmation Program on May 2, from
9:45-10:45 in the Parish Hall. The congregation is invited.
Please keep in your prayers our confirmands: Zach Bradley, Myndy Brandes, Samantha
Hamilton, Heath Heine, Nathan Johnson, Jenny Larma, Nick Meyer, Sara Muse and Ryan
Reddy.
Teachers Recognized
Sunday School teachers were thanked for their year of
service on April 25 with a certificate of appreciation and a plant. Offer your thanks for
the love these people showed in sharing Christ with our children and youth: Lotus
Gerards, Rhonda Larma, Megan Deines, Ken Hobart, Marcia Werts, Barbara Borg, Stacy
Svihovec, Pat Johnson, Kris Brink, Karen Vlamis, Roy Brockmeier, Sheryl Johnson, Joan
Lucas, Beth Schnitkey, Nick Hoyer, Ken Woodard, Susayn Brandes, Kathy & Dan Wegner, and
Jill & Tom Pletcher.
A special thanks also goes out to Pauline Latham for
serving as attendance and offering recorder, and to Jill Brink for coordinating
Sunday School openings, as well as to all others who helped with openings.
Sunday School Ends
The last regular Sunday School class for this school year
will be on May 16. (See article about Pentecost). It was decided to not have Sunday
School during the summer, but instead to encourage Christian fellowship and unity by
offering a breakfast at 9:15 each Sunday during the summer. Sunday School will resume for
the fall in September.
Head to Heart Adolescent Ministries
A workshop on a Confirmation system that builds
relationships and starts where our youth are is being held at Advent Lutheran Church in
Olathe on May 7, 1999. Pastor Mansholt, Deaconess Leptien, Ruth Koepsel, and Beth
Schnitkey will be attending in order to find out more about this new system for doing
confirmation.
Church Landscaping
Have you noticed all of the attractive new landscaping
around our church? Mark Buxton worked on the planting of new shrubbery and trees as a
service project to earn his Eagle Scout award. We thank Mark; his father, Mike Buxton; and
Waldo & Lotus Gerards for many hours of hard labor on this project! James &
Carolyn Pitts prepared and served lunch for the working crew on one Saturday. Among the
others who have been helping are: Bob Weaver, Mark Yeskie, Paul Ryding, and Boy Scouts
from the troops at Reformation and Plymouth Congregational.
Oaks Indian Center
Somebody could get enthused about Oaks Indian Center
of Oaks, Oklahoma. Oaks is about ministry with Native American children and youth. Oaks is
a ministry of the church with a history that goes back to 1801, to Moravian missionaries
and Danish Lutherans, to Cherokee people in Georgia, to the Trail of Tears that led to
Oklahoma. Would you consider being part of an Oaks Indian Ministry Team, to help tell the
story and build a partnership between Oaks and Reformation? Talk to Pastor Mansholt to
find out more and to view the video. There will be a meeting with on May 17, 7:00 p.m. to
learn more about Oaks.
Spiritual Gifts Ministry
The identifying and mobilizing of gifts for ministry is an
ongoing process. While over 100 people participated in the Lenten class, Discovering
God's Vision for Your Life, the spiritual gifts ministry is just beginning. Dallas
Cronk will continue to head the Spiritual Gifts Ministry Team. This ministry will be
seeking ways to help all our members discover the gifts God has given them and encourage
their service in church and in the community.
River Festival
River Festival dates and events:
- Friday, May 7 - River Festival Parade
- Sunday, May 9 - Festival of Faith Service
Several of our Middle School Youth will be walking in the parade on Friday evening.
Come out and support them as they publicize the Sunday worship service. They will be in
the first section of the parade.
The Festival of Faith service on May 9 at 9:30 a.m. will be held in the A. Price
Woodard Park. Pastor Mansholt will provide the sermon. The Festival of Faith choir will be
directed by Dr. John Leavitt, with participants from other churches.
The doors at Century II connecting the two buildings will be unlocked, providing access
from the parking lots. Limited parking is available close to the park for those needing
assistance. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided after the service. Volunteers are needed
to distribute the bulletins at the service.
Please plan to attend these two events, and be sure to bring your lawn chairs or
blankets.
Meal-A-Month Ministry
Your continued support is needed as we begin another month
of this important ministry. Yellow bags with the new menu for May attached are available
in the narthex. These should be returned by Sunday, May 30. The May menu is:
- Beef Ravioli
- Mixed Vegetables
- Pineapple / Jello
- Cornbread Mix
- Dry Milk (optional)
Camp Counselors Needed
Camp Tomah Shinga is looking for both senior and junior
counselors for the 1999 summer program. Sr. counselors must have completed high school and
be active in a Lutheran church. The program is 8 weeks long. Junior counselors, age 15 and
up, spend two weeks at the camp assisting the Sr. counselors. If interested, see Deaconess
Doreen.
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