From the Pastor
I’ve been in Bible study before. What makes
CROSSWAYS different? Good question! There are three ways in which CROSSWAYS is unique.
One is that CROSSWAYS students will see the whole story of God’s dealings
with humanity. Many people know some of the Bible stories. They know that Adam and Eve are
mentioned in Genesis, that Jesus raised Lazarus, Moses led the people through the Red Sea,
David was King of Israel, etc. What many don’t understand, however, is the whole
story, the big picture of the Bible.
CROSSWAYS stresses the importance of understanding the entire sweep of the biblical
narrative. When people understand the whole story of God’s dealings
with humanity, they have a much clearer picture of their own relationship to God also.
Notice it is the whole of God’s story. Dr. Harry Wendt, founder of CROSSWAYS,
points out that many Bible storybooks are beautifully produced, but not biblically valid. The
Bible is not about heroes, but about a Hero who became flesh in Jesus the Messiah The key
biblical concept is divine grace, not human goodness. The stories about human life in the
Bible are stories about moral skunks, not divine saints.
A second unique feature of CROSSWAYS is the illustrations. Each survey course contains
vivid illustrations, colorful transparencies that lift up and unite the themes of
Servant-King and divine grace from Genesis through Revelation. Finally, this is not Bible
study solely for intellectual pursuit and stimulation. CROSSWAYS is designed to ground
people’s lives more deeply in the story of God centered in the cross and resurrection
of Jesus.
I expect that CROSSWAYS will help all of us to understand more deeply what it means to
be servants of Christ, the Servant-King. And, I hope you will be part of CROSSWAYS in
January.
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me
wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:6-7
I am not good at making New Year’s resolutions. Like many people, I usually break
my resolve by January 15. This year, resolutions can be even more powerful because on
January 1 we are not just beginning a new year, we are beginning a new century. Just think
about the resolutions we can make for the millennium!
Making resolutions helps us to feel like we are making a fresh start of the year and
the century. Psalm 51 celebrates the new start we get with God, not just every year or
every 100 years, but each day. As we start the 21st century, we can know we are washed
clean with the blood of Christ, our sins blotted out.
We do not have to start 2000 with regrets for actions past or with guilt of our
failures weighing us down. We can begin the new century with a clean heart in God.
How can we respond to this God who in steadfast love makes us whiter than snow? We can
pray that God would teach us wisdom and truth. We find God’s truth and wisdom in
Scripture. Maybe January 2000 is the perfect time to begin daily devotions or a regular
Bible reading program. Perhaps now is the time to learn more about God’s Word in a
three-week course of See Through the Scriptures. Resolutions are easy to break, but
prayer and discipline can help us give God our love and joy in response to God’s
great love for us.
Will you join me on January 1, not worrying about Y2K, but in rejoicing that our sins
are made whiter than snow through Jesus.
- Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman
Thank you to all for your cards, words of comfort, and prayers after the recent
death of my mother.
- Michele Groves
Annual Meeting
Reformation Church will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, January
23, following the late service. The agenda will include the 2000 budget, elections,
and action on a proposed by-law change establishing the Reformation Endowment Fund.
Informational Meetings
Two informational meetings are scheduled for Sundays in
January at 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall. These meetings in past years have provided
helpful dialog and conversation. On January 9 the information meeting will present
in fuller detail the proposed Reformation Mission Endowment Fund. On January 16 the
information meeting will present the 2000 budget.
It Is NOT Pretty Woman
Have you ever heard prostitution referred to as a
profession? Do you believe this form of sexual exploitation happens only to women who
actively seek this lifestyle?
Heidi, a former prostitute, will speak January 8 & 9 in Derby to help
dispel these myths. Come hear her compelling personal story. Learn how there are over
300,000 child prostitutes in the U.S., with the average entry age into prostitution being
13.
Discover that Kansas is one of the most popular states for recruitment of young boys
and girls.
Come hear this Christian speaker from A-STOP (Alliance for Speaking Truths on
Prostitution).
Jan. 8 First Presbyterian Church of Derby, 324 N. Baltimore Ave, Derby, 7:00-9:00, For
Age 21 and over ONLY
Jan. 9 Derby Recreation Center, 801 East Market, Derby,
2:00-4:00 p.m., For under age 20 ONLY
The Parish Record
JULY - DECEMBER
BAPTISM
- Caitlyn Marie East, July 18
- Kathryn Grace Bunting, September 5
- Cassandra Erin McDonald, November 28
- Karen Lynn Brown, December 12
- Taylor Nicole Hasselwander, December 26
MARRIAGE
- Chasiti Gutsch and Shawn Gerstenkorn, July 31
- Tammy Schuckman and Jody Birkhohlz, August 21
- Doreen Leptien and Paul Scheuerman, November 26
- Diedra Gilbreath and Ed Ball, December 18
TRANSFER
- Heidi Winslow to St. Mark Lutheran, Louisville, KY
- Guy & Claudia Davis to Messiah Lutheran, Yorba Linda, CA
- Bob & Shelly Gleichman, Casey, Eric to Holy Cross Lutheran, Wichita
- Kathryn Grace Bunting to Immanuel Lutheran, Kansas City, MO
- Jennifer Fortney to Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Luke, Chicago, IL
- Kim Anderson, Clayton, Ethan to Augusta United Methodist, Augusta, KS
- Charlene Goeller, Brian, Michael to Trinity Lutheran, Kissimmee, FL
- Roy & Audrey Brockmeier, Amanda to Living Word Lutheran, Grapevine, TX
- Karen Reddy, Ryan, Lauren to Atonement Lutheran, Overland Park, KS
DEATH
- Elsa K. Baum, August 26
- Lennea B. McNerney, September 9
- Charles W. Seitz, November 6
- Folmer P. Lerager, December 5
Usher Schedule for January
- 8:30 Erik Larson, Randy Fornshell
- 11:00 Mike Buxton Don Anderson, Scott Fraizer,
Craig Stallwitz, Chris Koepsel, Randy Koepsel
Women of Reformation
CIRCLE MEETINGS
- Priscilla Tuesday, January 11 9:30 a.m. in
church library. Nursery available with 24-hr. notice
- Ruth Thursday, January 13 7:00 p.m. at the
home of Muriel Hansen, 8146 Grail
- Sarah Monday, January 17 7:00 p.m. at the home
of Loretta Seitz, 8306 E. Gilbert
- Dorcas Wednesday, January 19 1:00 p.m. at the
home of Jan Barr, 6950 Kentford Cir.
- Rachel Thursday, January 27 7:00 p.m. at the
church. Nursery available with 24-hr. notice
Board Meeting will be held Monday, January 3,
1:00 p.m. at the church.
Blanket Makers will meet January 3, 17 and 31, at 9:00 a.m.
in the Parish Hall.
The total Thankoffering contributed in 1999 was $252.05. Thanks be to God!
Schedule of Events Planned for 2000:
- April 15 - Cluster Meeting at Gloria Dei, Wichita
- June - Mother-Daughter Tea
- August 11, 12, 13 - Synod Convention at the
Marriott Hotel, Wichita
- September - Pastor’s overview of new Bible Study
- October 21 - Cluster Meeting at Reformation
- November - Thankoffering Worship Service
- December - Christmas Luncheon
Lutheran Woman Today
It is time to renew subscriptions for Lutheran Woman
Today, also new orders should be sent at this time. Make your check in the amount of
$9.50 payable to Women of Reformation and give to Eva Whetstone or your circle leader by January
23.
Best Times of Life, a group of those 55 and beyond, meets monthly for delicious food,
warm fellowship, and interesting programs. Our January meeting will be on Monday, January
10, at 12:00 noon in the Parish Hall. The potluck luncheon will be followed by a
presentation by Judy Conners concerning the Exploration Place, which will open in late
spring. Come and join us for a wonderful meal and fellowship with friends. Bring a covered
dish, your own table service, and make your reservation with Pauline Latham, 942-4885.
Education Hour in January
- There will be no Sunday School for children or adults
on January 2, 2000.
- There will be no adult classes on Sundays, January
9 and 16 due to special forums on the Endowment Fund and the 2000 budget.
Epiphany Service
An Epiphany Service will be held on Wednesday, January 5,
at 7:00 p.m. The LOGOS Bible Time classes will participate in the worship service.
LOGOS & Confirmation
LOGOS and Confirmation resume on Wednesday, January 5.
In place of Bible Time and the confirmation Learning event, we will have an Epiphany
Worship service with the children and youth participating in worship.
LOGOS still begins at 5:00 p.m. with Playtime, and Confirmation begins at 6:10 with a
meal.
Check Requests
New check request forms will be used beginning January 1.
Anyone needing reimbursement should complete the form and then turn it in to the ministry
staff person overseeing that area of ministry for approval.
Middle School Youth
Make plans now to join us January 23 for an
afternoon of games, and make your own pizza! We will meet at the Ward-Pfeiffers’ at
3:00 p.m. You will receive more information and a map in the mail. We also have some great
ideas for Youth Quake, so don’t forget to register.
Youth Registrations Due
Youth in grades 6th-8th grades planning to attend the Youth
Quake on February 4-6 need to turn in their registration forms by Friday, December 31.
A deposit of $40, payable to Youth Encounter should be attached to registration
forms. Money from fund raisers will cover $45 per youth. If you have any questions or need
a registration form, please contact Deaconess Doreen or David Dibble.
Registrations for the Synod Youth Leadership Lab in Kansas City on January 14-16
are due on Friday, December 31. For more information or a registration form, contact Kathy
Wegner or Deaconess Doreen. This event is for all 7th-12th graders who would like to
nurture their gifts of leadership.
Chili Supper / Basketball
The WSU Shocker Basketball team will play Southern Illinois
on Sunday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m. All Reformation members (or friends) who plan to
attend this game are invited to a chili supper at church following the game. We’ll
share some snacks and fun activities starting about 4:00, and have chili, etc., for an
early supper a little later. Reservations are necessary, so please call Lotus Gerards
(683-8602), Carol Ott (683-5482), or Eva Whetstone (681-2007) by January 13. (To help
cover costs, we ask that each adult pay $2.00.) Hope to hear from you!
Meal-A-Month Menu for January
- Corned Beef Hash
- Canned Tomatoes
- Fruit Cocktail
- Muffin Mix - Martha White
- Dry Milk (optional)
Nurturing Faith in the Home
Baptismal birthdays are just as important as our birth
birthday, because it marks the day we were adopted into God’s family. Nadine Norton,
on behalf of your congregational family, sends out baptismal cards to the children and
youth. Baptismal birthdays are recognized each month at LOGOS. Following are some ideas to
help make baptismal birthdays memorable and meaningful events at home.
- Mark your family calendar with the baptismal dates of each family member (the church
office may be able to help you with dates).
- Make a connection between birthdays and baptisms. Talk first about birthdays as the day
they were named and became a part of your family. Then identify baptism as the day they
became part of God’s family.
- Surround baptismal birthdays with special rituals and traditions. Plan a special meal or
treat for your family. Share pictures of their baptism day and light their baptismal
candle.
- Take annual pictures of your children in front of the baptismal font at church. Point
out the many ways they have grown as a "child of God."
- Make the sign of the cross on your children’s forehead as a daily reminder that God
loves them and considers them special members of God’s family. You may include the
words spoken at their baptism, Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit
and marked with the cross of Christ forever.
Wanted: Babysitters
Are you 13 years of age or older and interested in earning
extra cash and helping out a fellow RLC member by providing babysitting services? You are
invited to include your name on the sitting roster now being compiled. Please call
Laurenbrook Ellingson at 733-4154 and give the necessary information. The list will be
posted in the nursery and made available in the church office.
From the Internship Site in Waco, TX
Jesus Was a Pattern Interrupt
There is a notion in the world of psychology known as "pattern interrupt."
The idea is that the mind has physical grooves of memory, with one memory triggering
another. This can be good. If I begin to sing, "A mighty fortress," chances you
will join in with, "is our God." Because of the memory grooves, we remember how
to solve a problem, or can extrapolate from one situation to another. There are patterns
to our lives: We get up at a certain time, go about our work. Attend church on Sunday.
Patterns are good, for the most part.
But sometimes we need a change. We realize we can’t solve a problem based on what
we do or have done before. We discover our ways of thinking are limited or negative. We
come to understand that we are trying to control situations that are not ours to control.
In order to move forward, we have to get out of the old "groove."
A pattern interrupt is something new that enters into a pattern. It often forces us to
see things in a new way. It can be radical and uncomfortable, like a move, serious
illness, or death. This kind of pattern interrupt reminds us that our time in this world
is limited, and helps set us on paths of reconciliation and love.
Another kind of pattern interrupt can be a simple change, like having a picnic,
singing, or calling a friend. When a task frustrates us, we take a break. When a child is
fussy, we try to comfort her or make her laugh. Simple pattern interrupts help us
negotiate our daily life. Whether dramatic or subtle, after a pattern interrupt we see the
world differently.
Jesus was a significant pattern interrupt. He entered the world to save God’s
people from sin and death. He reminds us that we are all God’s children, and that we
are to love and care for one another. Jesus’ teachings initiated a radical change in
first century Palestine. Today, his teachings force us to consider the patterns of our
lives.
There are biblical pattern interrupts. When Saul was on the road to Damascus, intent on
destroying as many Christians as possible, he was blinded for three days. It was a major
pattern interrupt for him, but look what happened. When he regained his sight, he saw the
world in a new way. He changed sides and changed his name to Paul. The world has never
been the same.
January is a time for resolutions-pattern interrupts. What negative pattern currently
has you in its grip? Where do you need a pattern interrupt? Jesus is a master at pulling
us out of our negative grooves. Turn to him and trust him.
- Dawn Gorges
Telecare Ministry
Our Telecare Ministry will resume in late January with our
second Telecare campaign to reach all local members with a caring call. Callers and
captains will be notified by mail in early January with their calling lists.
- Lotus Gerards, Coordinator
Charitable & Planned Giving Workshop
You are cordially invited to attend a Charitable &
Planned Giving Workshop on Thursday, January 13, at either 4:00 or 7:00 p.m. The workshop
is sponsored by Lutheran Brotherhood and will be held at 3755 E. Douglas Ave. The guest
presenter will be D. R. Nelson, FIC, Associate General Agent of Lutheran Brotherhood. You
will have the opportunity to:
- Learn how to map out a plan for giving to church or charity
- Learn about designing gifts that meet your personal charitable and estate preservation
goals
This workshop is being presented by Lutheran Brotherhood and will be held at 3755 E.
Douglas Ave. Reservations are required. Please call in your reservation by January 10 to
729-8300 or 729-8378.
See Through the Scriptures
A 6 - Hour Introductory CROSSWAYS Course
a basic introduction to the Bible and its themes will help you see the big picture and
motivate you to explore more deeply concludes with emphasis on Jesus’ ministry and
message and our lives today for adults and high school youth.
Four Offerings in January
all classes in Reformation Parish Hall
- Wednesdays January 5, 12, 19 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Thursdays January 6, 13, 20 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
- Sundays January 9, 16, 23 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday January 22 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Guest Instructor
CROSSWAYS Instructors
- Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman
- Dr. Eunice Myers
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
- Pastor Kenton Rohrberg (January 22)
Cost of Material: $10.00
Dear Reformation Congregation,
We thank you for your generous Christmas gifts to each of us. In many ways, your love
and support are demonstrated throughout the year, and we are grateful. It is our pleasure
to serve the Lord through Reformation Church in our respective roles. Blessings to each of
you in the New Year.
May peace and joy abide.
Pastor Jerry Mansholt
Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman
John Leavitt
Nina Kindt
Becky Deckard
Dale Osborne
Summer Camp
The summer camp schedule for Camp Tomah Shinga is now
available in the church office. For those interested, a number of staff positions are
available for the summer. These include counselors, lifeguards, maintenance staff, and
staff-in-training. Contact Deaconess Doreen for further information, or watch for details
in the February Re-Focus.
AAL News
AAL Branch 4499 will hold their monthly meeting on Sunday, January
16, 12:15 p.m., in Parish Hall. A baked potato buffet will be served. Members are
asked to bring favorite potato toppings, a salad or dessert to share. This will serve as
the annual planning meeting, so bring ideas for new events during 2000. If you are
new church member, are currently an AAL member, or if you desire to learn more
about AAL, please join us for food, fun, and fellowship! For additional information,
contact Doug Vandersee (744-3769) or Rich McDiffett (282-0598).
Aid Association for Lutherans has matched an additional $1,498 of the funds raised
during the Pit Barbecue for Paul Scheuerman’s medical expenses. A special
thanks to everyone who made this event a success!
Thank You to the high school and middle school youth for their help in wrapping
gifts for the youth at Oaks Indian Center! AAL awarded the youth groups with a $500 Youth
Serve grant to purchase Christmas gifts for the Center.
GETTING TO KNOW OUR RELIGIOUS NEIGHBORS
A generation or two ago, a popular Adult Forum at a
Lutheran Church would have been "Getting to Know The Christian Family." Speakers
would have included the local Roman Catholic priest, a Presbyterian or Methodist minister,
and maybe a Pentecostal preacher. Some congregations also would have explored their roots
in Judaism and invited the local rabbi.
However, this is not January 1955, but January 2000.
North American society is changing religiously. Many religions new to this land are
appearing in our communities and neighborhoods. We often find ourselves interacting with
people whose religion is not Christian.
In Lutherans and the Challenge of Religious Pluralism (Augsburg Fortress, 1990)
a number of contributors write of the challenges and opportunities presented by our living
in a more diverse culture. There are questions. What does this mean for thoughtful,
committed followers of Jesus the Messiah? How do we build friendly, healthy relationships
with neighbors who have differing faiths from our own?
We Christians confess our faith in one holy God. Yet, this one God is known uniquely
and most clearly in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. How do we, who confess Jesus to be
". . . the Way, the Truth, and the Life
"
(John 14), relate to people of other religions? One way is by
getting to know our religious neighbors.
Thus, on Sunday mornings in January and February Getting to Know Our Religious
Neighbors will be offered in the Parish Hall, 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
- January 23 · Inter-Faith Ministries, Rev. Sam Muyskens, Executive Director
- January 30 · Judaism, Mrs. Lois Ruby and Dr. Tom Ruby, Congregation Emanu-el
- February 6 · ----------
- February 13 · Islam, Dr. Wayel Azmeh and Dr. Ramzieh Azmeh
- February 20 · Buddhist
- February 27 · Bahai
By getting to know others, may we also be propelled
to learn more about our Christian faith and life.
