RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 20 March 2000 Number 3
From the Pastor
Have a good Lent! I'm fairly certain no one else will greet
you with those words. You have heard Merry Christmas or Happy Easter. A store clerk might
say, Have a good one, referring to the day starting out. But no one says, Have a good Lent.
What might make for a good Lent ? Lent is intended to be a time of
renewal or refreshment, a period of new growth. Lent is penitence and turning around of
one's life, much in the way spring means the turning of the earth from wintry death to
life. Return to the Lord your God, we will pray for the 40 days in the weekly
liturgy, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and
abounding in steadfast love. A good Lent is a turning around, a deepening of our
lives in the Gospel of Jesus. What might this returning and renewing look like? Here are
some suggestions:
- Daily prayer. Read the daily Lenten devotions authored by members of
Reformation Lutheran Church and pray.
- Daily Bible reading. Read the Bible, perhaps
Gospel of Mark.
- Continuing in the Covenant. This Sunday morning class at
9:45 is an opportunity for growth along with those preparing to join the congregation. The
class will review the Bible time line, basic Christian teaching, prayer and using one's gifts in discipleship.
- Wednesday Noon Lenten Worship. Prayers of the Passion is the
theme of this 12:00 Noon thirty-minute worship, followed by lunch.
- Holden Evening Prayer on Wednesdays. Many have
enjoyed this liturgy of prayer and praise.
- Remember the hungry with a special offering to the ELCA World Hunger
Appeal. Or, turn the Meal-a-Month into a Meal-a-Week offering.
Whatever it is you choose to do--have a good
Lent!
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
I was talking to a long-time member recently about the youth in this
congregation. We were reflecting on what really great young people we have at Reformation.
With passion in her voice, this woman said, Doreen, how are we going to let others
know? Do you know? Do you know that we have youth who are in the top percentage of
their class, who are involved and even excel in athletics and music? Do you know that we
have youth who volunteer their time to help others? Do you know that we have youth who
have good relationships with their parents, grandparents, and other adults? Do you know
that we have youth who participate in worship?
These youth did not just happen! Their parents, schools, other
adults, and hopefully this congregation have all contributed to their development. These
factors outside the youth themselves are known as external assets. It is
through the positive influence of these external assets that youth learn to behave in
healthy ways and to make wise choices.
The four external assets have been identified as: (1) support, (2)
empowerment, (3) boundaries and expectations, and (4) constructive use of time.
Support refers to the ways people show love, affirmation, and
acceptance to young people. Young people need support from their family, first and
foremost. But caring relationships with other adults are also important. In addition,
young people need to feel welcomed, valued, and supported at school and at church.
Here we go! A congregation can send a positive and accepting message
to youth or it can reflect an uncaring attitude. What can we do at Reformation to provide
a safe, caring place where youth are supported by adults other than their parents?
- Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman
Thanks to all for your prayers, cards, and
expressions of care since my knee surgery. What a blessing it has been to have support
from our Reformation Family! It has helped my recovery go well, and I'm very grateful.
In Christian love, Barbara Lee
* * *
Thanks for your prayers, visits, calls and cards during my recent hospitalization and recovery process. I'm truly blessed to be part of such a
compassionate church family.
- Marla Schmale
* * *
Thank you to everyone for your cards, prayers, phone calls, food,
and visits during my recent surgery and recovery.
- Nancy Watkins
* * *
Usher Schedule for March
8:30 Paul Garcia T.J. Garcia
11:00 Clarence Koch, Don Benton, Melvin Swanson,
Larry Ehrlich, Bill Burress, David Johnson
Lenten Devotionals
Thank you to all who participated and wrote a devotional for our
Lenten Devotional booklet. Everyone should be receiving a copy of the devotional booklet
in the mail shortly.
Last year we offered a new service where we created a Lenten Devotional E-Mail
Distribution List. Individuals who wished to receive a Lenten Devotional every morning
during Lent added their name to this distribution list. An e-mail note containing the
daily devotional from our booklet was then sent to e-mail addresses on the distribution
list. Last year about 40 people signed up and received a daily devotional during Lent.
This new e-mail outreach was received very well, so we are offering this service again
this year.
This year, an e-mail note advertising this service was sent
to over 2600 e-mail addresses representing over 2000 ELCA churches across the country. In
the first week, over 200 people have subscribed to this distribution list in order to
receive a Lenten Devotional each morning. If you or anyone else is interested in receiving
an e-mail Lenten Devotional each morning, simply go to http://www.reformation-lutheran.org/lent
and add your e-mail address.
The ELCA will also be promoting this service. The ELCA web site main page runs two feature
stories each week. Reformation Lutheran Church will tentatively be one of those feature
stories from March 1 through March 8. The feature will describe the Lenten Devotionals and
include a picture. So check out Reformation Lutheran Church on the ELCA web site at http://www.elca.org.
Oaks Indian Center
Oaks Indian Center, located in eastern Oklahoma, is home to 48
Native American children. The home offers each child an opportunity to grow in a loving
home environment and the opportunity to receive a sound education.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the gifts at Christmas time. It was very much
appreciated by the children of Oaks. There is a continuous need for clothing and supplies.
A Needs List will soon be posted on the message board in the Parish Hall.
Women of Reformation
CIRCLE MEETINGS
- Ruth Thursday, March 9 7:00 p.m. at
the home of Carla Johnson 8523 E. Wassall St.
- Priscilla Tuesday, March 14 9:30
a.m. at the church
- Dorcas Wednesday, March 15 2:00
p.m. at the home of Shari Ryding 160 Cardinal Ln.
- Rachel Thursday, March 16 7:00 p.m.
at the church
- Sarah Monday, March 20 7:00 p.m. at
the home of Virginia Leikvold, 8417 Willowbrook
- Church Women United World Day of Prayer will be
Friday, March 3, at 1:00 p.m. Plan to pray with women from all around the
world on that Friday. This meeting will be held at University Friends Church, 1840
University.
- Board Meeting will be held Monday, March 6,
1:00 p.m. at church.
Blanket Makers will meet March 6 and
20 at
9:00 a.m. in Parish Hall.
On April 15, there will be "Women's Conferences" in Wichita
at Century II Convention Hall, sponsored by Heritage Keepers. You will
spend the day with Christian authors and speakers as well as special musical guests. More
information is available on the Women's bulletin board in Parish Hall.
Monday Morning Play Group
We welcome all infants, children, and parents to join us for play
and fellowship. We meet in the nursery on the second and fourth Monday
each month. During March we will meet on Monday, March 13, and Monday, March 27, from 9:30
to 11:30. Contact Jane Camenzind, 685-6154, if you have questions.
The March meeting of Best Times of Life will be on Monday, March 13,
at noon in the Parish Hall. B.T.O.L. is a congenial group of men and women 55 and over who
join together monthly for fellowship, good food, and a variety of programs. We warmly
invite you to give us a try! Our March entertainment will be provided by the Lewis Street
Singers under the direction of our own Virginia Leikvold. Bring a covered dish to share,
your own table service, and come and enjoy! If you have not been called, please phone
Pauline Latham, 942-4885, or Betty Hayenga, 682-2030, with your reservation.
Grief Sharing Group
The ministry team of Reformation is offering a grief sharing group
to be present for the needs of those in our congregation who are experiencing the deep
sorrow due to a significant loss. Grief is a normal and natural reaction to a loss of any
kind. It is a neglected and misunderstood process, most powerful of all emotions.
There are four key facts about grief:
- The way of grief is through it.
- The very worst kind of grief is yours.
- Grief is hard work.
- Effective grief work is not done alone.
Joyce Rupp in her book, Praying Our Goodbyes, indicates "we need to take
time to reflect on them, to pray them. In doing so we can become wiser, deeper and more
compassionate." Grief is an act of love shown toward our loss.
The goals of the group are insight into the stages of the grief process. Understanding
oneself, i.e., feelings, thoughts, and experiences of loss, and doing so in a mutual, warm
and safe setting.
The grief sharing group will begin on Thursday, March 9, from 4:30 to
6:00 p.m. at the church. It will meet weekly for a period of six weeks and will be led by
Virginia Arnold, a nationally certified counselor. Confidentiality is respected. Please
join us!
From the Internship Site in Waco, TX
THE CALL
Since entering seminary three years ago, a number of people have
asked me about my call to ordained ministry. Each person's call is a little different, and
most of us turn away from the call for a while. I refused God's call for at least ten
years. My excuses were: my children are young, the closest seminary is 600 miles away, I
could serve God in many other ways. All the reasons were true. So, I spent my time raising
Quinn and Alex, as a vigorous community and church volunteer, and as a teacher. Two years
ago I spoke at a seminary fund-raiser and joked that if I had answered the call when it
first came, I would have been in my second church already.
Who does God call? Each of us. A call from God is a nagging, edgy feeling, which never
completely goes away. Not all calls are for ordained ministry, but each of us is called to
serve in God's kingdom. And like me in my call to ministry, many of us resist the call.
What does a call feel like? First of all, God calls people who like God. God makes it
so simple. We don't have to be devout or pray on our knees to be called by God. The call
is the feeling that something should be done. That is the Holy Spirit at work in our
lives. That little thought that pops in your mind and makes you think. . .give blood,
serve on the committee, make a phone call, say "I'm sorry." That voice is the
Holy Spirit calling you to service. It is so subtle, though, we dismiss it. That is easy
to understand. God spoke directly to Jonah and Jeremiah and Sarah (to name just three),
and they ran away, doubted or laughed at God. So it is no wonder that we find it easy to
ignore the urging of the Holy Spirit.
The most difficult part of answering the call for me has been the reaction of people.
Even my family and closest friends have asked why I would change my life so dramatically
in response to God. They wonder how I know God wants me to be in the ministry. Some have
turned away from me. When you answer God's call you may receive similar reactions. Why did
you sign that petition? Why did you worship with those people? Why did you give him money?
Why are you helping those people? We need you here, why do you go there? The questions go
on and on. When we answer God's call, we also carry Christ's cross.
Your life is never the same after you say yes to God. Some people turn away from you,
others continuously question your actions. Some days are lonely. But God is right beside
you every step of the way. You become stronger and, in time, more committed to the call,
as you experience the joy of working in God's kingdom.
There is one certainty. God is calling you. Our temptation to ignore the call is
because we doubt God. We think the "urging" we feel is our imagination. It's
not; it is the Holy Spirit speaking to us. We don't believe God calls people like us, but
God calls all kinds of people. We can't believe we are capable or worthy, but we must
trust God's judgment over our own.
God is calling you. Be courageous enough to answer God's call in the affirmative.
"Here I am, Lord!" And be gracious enough to support those around you who are
also answering God's call to them. God bless you!
Dawn Gorges
Eagle Scout Project
The Eagle Scout service project that John Aagaard was directing has
been completed. Under his direction, the number of handicapped parking spaces was
increased on the east side of Parish Hall, and ten classrooms were repainted. Assisting
John were his parents, Alan & Lea Aagaard, and members of his scout troop and their
parents. John is a member of Troop #510 at Cornerstone Christian Church in Bel Aire. Thank
you, John, for a job well done!
River Festival
The River Festival Ministry Team is requesting proposals for the
design to be used on the bulletin at the Festival of Faith service this year. The theme of
the River Festival this year is "Waves of the Future." The design should be in
color and be presented on the 8 ½ " x 11" format of the worship bulletin. The
design will also be used on a publicity flier. See Sunday bulletin insert concerning
information that needs to be included.
If you wish to submit a design for consideration, please leave your design in the
church office by Sunday, March 12. If you have any questions, contact Waldo Gerards at
683-8602 or Wil Johnson at 943-1313.
Women's Night Out
Join us for food and fellowship! We plan to meet at the following
restaurants at 6:30 p.m. for dinner:
- Tuesday, March 28 - On the Border
- Tuesday, April 25 - Stroud's
Please contact Kimberly Lindemann (691-1440) to reserve a place at the table.
Help Wanted
Person to do cleaning in a residence near 29th St. and
Rock Rd. once or twice a month. Contact Joyce at 687-9558. Leave message.
CONCERT AND CONVERSATION
On Sunday, March 5, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. A Concert and Conversation with Marsha Stevens
will be held at Reformation Church. A letter in February from Pr. Mansholt to the
congregation, stated that this is one of three events in the Central States Synod for the
purpose of continuing conversations with gay and lesbian persons. Members of all ELCA
congregations are invited to the event. Marsha Stevens is a sister in Christ, and she is a
lesbian. Rev. Gordon Peterson, Assistant to the Bishop, will introduce Ms. Stevens and
moderate the conversation following the concert.
Continuing in the Covenant
You are invited to participate in a series of five Sunday morning
adult classes, Continuing in the Covenant, which will begin March 5 and culminate
in New Member Sunday, April 2. These classes are intended for both those desiring
membership at Reformation Church as well as those who currently are members. Classes will
be held 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Topics to be covered are:
March 5 • The Bible Story Line and You
A One-Hour Trip through the Bible
March 12 • Christians in the Lutheran Tradition
Basics in Faith & Life at Reformation
March 19 • Gifted for Daily Ministry
Discovering Gifts God Has Given
March 26 • Disciples Growing in Faith
Personal Devotion, Prayer and Bible
April 2 • Discipleship at Reformation
Vision & Mission; Staff & Ministry Teams
Nurturing Faith In the Home
A father was pushing two little girls on swings across
the street from a church. As one pointed out the cross on the top of the church, she said,
"Daddy, why does Jesus have to keep dying on the cross every year?" The father
honored her comment as he gently explained how God's people gather to understand and
appreciate what Jesus did so long ago.
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 8. These 40 days
(not including Sundays) provide a perfect opportunity to help our children understand and
appreciate Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and to give us
eternal life. Following are some ideas for your family this Lenten season.
- Put a budding branch in water and watch it come to life. Talk about the cycle of life as
a miracle God provides.
- Arrange six purple candles in the shape of a cross to observe the six weeks of Lent.
Extinguish one candle a week to symbolize Good Friday's approach. Relight all the candles
on Easter.
- Read segments of Luke 22:1-24:49 throughout the days of Lent and help your children
build a time line of the events of Jesus' life leading through Holy Week to Easter.
- Provide a blank book with paper entitled, "Just To Think of the Cross..." for
your family to draw pictures of Jesus and the events of his life and write any thoughts or
questions they might have about Jesus and their relationship to him.
- Use the Lenten Journey Sticker Centerpiece as the basis of daily devotional time. These
will be handed out to the youngest Sunday School member in each family. Extras will be
available in the narthex.
Middle School Trip
Reformation's middle school youth and their friends and families
will be going to Camp Tomah Shinga, a Lutheran Camp located near Junction City, Kansas,
March 4-5. The group plans to repair the miniature golf course and have a lot of fun and
good fellowship on this outing.
Hymns of the Lukewarm Church (God's Frozen People)
This item appeared on the internet several months ago. For you who
missed it, some excerpts follow:
The Lukewarm Church announces publication of "church songs," whose title,
according to the editor, was chosen because "We didn't want to turn anybody off with
threatening words that no one understands anymore like 'worship' or 'hymn.' People in
today's society get kind of uncomfortable with too much talk about things like commitment
and dedication. They'd much rather have a religion that they can turn on or off at will.
Our book seeks to meet that need."
Sample contents:
- A Comfy Mattress Is Our God
- Joyful, Joyful, We Kinda Like Thee
- Lord, Keep Us Loosely Connected to Your Word
- All Hail the Influence of Jesus' Name
- My Hope Is Built on Nothing Much
- Amazing Grace, How Interesting the Sound
- My Faith Looks Around for Thee
- O God, Our Enabler in Ages Past
- Blest Be the Tie That Doesn't Cramp My Style
- Oh, for a Couple of Tongues to Sing
- I Lay My Inappropriate Behaviors on Jesus
- Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
- Praise God from Whom All Affirmations Flow
- I'm Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
- Sit Up, Sit Up for Jesus
- Take My Life and Let Me Be
- What An Acquaintance We Have in Jesus
- When the Saints Go Sneaking In
- Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
- Lift Every Voice and Intellectualize
Telecare Ministry
Our Telecare ministry team of 40+ callers has been very busy. If you
have not yet received your call, you should very soon! Telecare ministry is a caring
ministry providing an avenue for contact of all local members to determine needs or
concerns and to offer prayer support. Welcome your caller warmly, and please keep this
ministry in your prayers.
Lotus Gerards, Coordinator
New Council Members and Officers
New Council Members elected at the Annual Meeting
are: Dottie Caplan, Byron Folkerts, Waldo Gerards, and Holly Coleman.
Officers are: Mark Hansen, President; Waldo
Gerards, Vice-President; Dottie Caplan, Secretary; and Mike Lofing, Treasurer.
ELCA Identity Project
You are invited to help support the outreach efforts of Reformation
Church with a special financial gift. Support in the amount of $6,400 is
needed for Reformation's participation in the ELCA Identity Profect Ministry. Reformation
Church has been approved for matching funds up to $6,400 provided by AAL Insurance through
the ELCA Churchwide Department of Communications. However, matching dollars of $6,400 are
needed locally to implement the plans for direct mailings and other forms of outreach.
Reformation's Advertising Ministry Team of Boyd Byers, Kevin O'Connell, Lori East,
Barbara Lee and Pastor Mansholt has been working on a publicity program that will
complement efforts also being done through the work of Area Ministry Five. Through the
efforts of ELCA congregations in much of central and western Kansas, television
advertisements on the major networks will air for two weeks prior to Easter and then again
for two weeks in August. During that time Reformation plans to do additional advertising
to reach the non-churched of our neighborhoods.
You can help Reformation qualify for matching funds from the ELCA. Make checks
payable to Reformation Lutheran Church and marked for ELCA Identity Campaign.
Welcome Spring!
Meal-A-Month Menu for March
Tuna
Tuna Helper or Mushroom Soup & Noodles
Green Beans
Fruit
Dry Milk (optional)
