RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 20 April 2000 Number 4 

From the Pastor

In the recent Sunday morning class, Getting to Know Our Religious Neighbors, I was struck by the discipline exercised by the members of the various religions. Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Bahai, all in their own traditions, took on a discipline, set something aside, and made a priority of prayer, fasting, reading, acts of mercy, or worship. What struck me is how easily many Christians, in contrast, make light of those things that are central to Christian faith and hope.

We are in the midst of Lent, a time of discipline for prayer, fasting, Bible reading, acts of charity and mercy, worship. Lent is a time of preparation that moves us toward the celebration of those saving acts of Jesus that are central to the Christian faith. We are moving toward the beginning of Holy Week, including the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), and the Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The week culminates in the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord. These observances are not peripheral but central to the Christian faith. They are at the heart of our Christian life and proclamation. They are centered in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ of God.

The liturgies of Holy Week are different from other times of the year. We march with palms raised high. We wash feet, strip the altar, and gather around an outdoor fire. To walk through the entire week is to experience darkness and light; jubilation and sorrow; singing and silence. To remember the passion of our Lord is to experience your own complicity in the betrayal and crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord.

Every year someone who has attended all the services of Holy Week/Easter worship comments on the depth of his or her spiritual experience. Through the discipline of worship they have remembered in a profound way that which is central to Christian faith and life.

- Pastor Jerry Mansholt

From the Deaconess

A big event is being held this summer in St. Louis. The tri-annual ELCA Youth Gathering is hosted by our very own Synod. About 80 youth from the Wichita/Hutchinson area are going to join over 40,000 other youth from around the country and world in St. Louis for this memorable opportunity. These 80 plus youth, including eight from this congregation, will not just be in St. Louis having a good time. They will also be working during the Gathering as part of the Youth Servant Corps.

One of our youth, Chris Deines, applied and was accepted as part of the Training Corps. He has already been to St. Louis for one weekend of training and will receive one more weekend of training in April. He is part of the team that will train the other 2000 members of the Youth Servant Corps. Way to go, Chris!

Chris and the other youth helping at the Gathering have been empowered. Empowerment is the second of four external assets. Young people need to feel valued and know they are important. They need opportunities to contribute through leadership and service.

Serving at a National Youth Gathering gives our youth a chance to serve and to take leadership, and to contribute to the success of the event. It’s a wonderful opportunity, but how do we at Reformation provide a safe environment and situations where our young people can be noticed in a positive manner?

There are a number of ways our youth do serve and do provide leadership. Are there others we have not capitalized on? It is also important to remember that giving the youth a job that no one else wants to do is not empowering them. A feeling of empowerment comes through choosing ways to use our gifts to make a difference in the world around us. Have you empowered a young person today?

- Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman

Thanks to all for your prayers, cards, and support during my pregnancy and following the delivery of our babies, Jack and Jaden. Thanks also for the wonderful meals and visits to the hospital. We feel blessed to have such wonderful support from our Reformation family.

- Sean & Patty Taylor

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Thank you to the congregation for the beautiful altar flowers, cards, phone calls, prayers, and visits during my hospital stay and recovery period. Also, thank you to Pastor Mansholt and Anita for their visits.

- Helen Landon

* * *

Lenten Devotional Books Made Available to Many

Our Lenten devotional books, which were mailed to members and made available to others via our web page, http://www.reformation-lutheran.org/lent, were also shared with two hospitals in Wichita. Copies were delivered to Veterans Hospital, to be distributed by Chaplain Maynard Peterson, and to Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, to be distributed by Chaplain Tim Lytle.

Easter Morning

The middle school youth are hosting the Easter Breakfast this year, which will be between the worship services on April 23, from 9:00-10:45 a.m. An insert will be included in the Sunday bulletins on April 2, 9, and 16 to get an estimate of the number of people planning to attend the breakfast. Please call Tanya Flores, 681-0603, or sign up in the narthex if you are interested in making a casserole, muffins, or cinnamon rolls for the breakfast.

The high school youth will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday after the first service. Donations of plastic eggs and wrapped candy (please, no peanut butter or peanuts) are needed and can be left in the designated box in the narthex. There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday.

Bereavement Ministry

We are updating our list of volunteers to serve on the Bereavement Ministry Team, whose purpose is to prepare and serve a meal to the family and friends of the deceased on the day of the funeral or memorial service. Volunteers are needed to prepare food at home, to help set up and prepare food at church, and to serve the meal and clean up afterwards. If you would like to be a part of this important ministry or would like more information, please call Eva Whetstone, 681-2007, or Ruth Koepsel, 685-3800. Even if you have helped in the past, please let us know if you would like to continue.

Church Library

Efforts are underway to reorganize the church library to make it user friendly and more accessible to the congregation. During the process, certain books have been deemed no longer suitable due to condition, age, content, etc. These books will be displayed in the Parish Hall April 2 and April 16. If anyone would like to have any of these books for their personal library, please feel free to take them home. After April 16 they will be donated.

Women of Reformation

CIRCLE MEETINGS

• Priscilla Tuesday, April 11, 9:30 a.m. at the church
• Ruth Thursday, April 13, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Deanne Fortney, 1441 N. Rock Rd., #2103
• Sarah Monday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Shirley Anderson, 1140 Apache
• Dorcas Wednesday, April 19, 1:00 p.m. at the home of Shirley Metz, 10106 Mainsgate Cir.
• Rachel Thursday, April 20 , 7:00 p.m. at the church

Women of Reformation

CIRCLE MEETINGS

• Priscilla Tuesday, April 11, 9:30 a.m. at the church
• Ruth Thursday, April 13, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Deanne Fortney, 1441 N. Rock Rd., #2103
• Sarah Monday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Shirley Anderson, 1140 Apache
• Dorcas Wednesday, April 19, 1:00 p.m. at the home of Shirley Metz, 10106 Mainsgate Cir.
• Rachel Thursday, April 20 , 7:00 p.m. at the church

Women’s Board Meeting will be held Monday, April 3, at 1:00 p.m. at the church.

Blanket Makers will meet April 3 and 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

The Ark River Valley Cluster will meet Saturday, April 15, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1101 N. River Blvd., Wichita.

• 9:00 Registration, coffee & fellowship
• 9:30 Program: Doreen Scheuerman is the speaker. Discussion about Synod Convention, which will be held in Wichita, August 11-13.
• 12:00 Lunch

Reservations can be made by calling Lola Mae Hershberger, 682-6984, by April 12. Bring items for the Ronald McDonald House. This cluster includes all ELCA women’s organizations in Wichita and surrounding towns. All women of Reformation are encouraged to attend. To share a ride, call Kathy Drake, 686-8444.

The April meeting of Best Times of Life will be on Monday, April 10, at noon in the Parish Hall. B.T.O.L. is a friendly group of persons 55 and over who gather monthly for fellowship, food, and interesting varied programs. Please join us!

Our April program will be presented by Lois Smith, who will share pictures and a narrative of her trip to Tibet. Bring a covered dish to share and your own table service, and if you’ve not been called, please phone Pauline, 942-4885, or Betty, 682-2030, with your reservation.

Middle School Youth Needed

Reformation’s Middle School Youth will be hosting the Easter breakfast this year. We need youth to collect the RSVPs (which will be bulletin inserts) on Sundays, April 2, 9, and 16, after both services; help setting up on Saturday, April 22; help with the breakfast on Sunday, April 23, and also with the cleanup. We are raising money for future middle school youth events. If you are interested in helping with the Easter breakfast, please call Tanya Flores at 681-0603.

Youth Worship Assistants

All 6th graders interested in serving as acolytes, torch bearers and cross bearers will be trained on Saturday, April 8, from 10:00 to11:15 a.m. If you are interested in serving as a youth worship assistant but are unable to be at the training on April 8, please call Jill Brink, 634-2168.

Bethany College Choir

The 70-voice Bethany College Choir and Brass Ensemble from Lindsborg, KS, will present a free concert at Reformation Church on Sunday, April 30, at 2:30 p.m. In addition, the Choir will sing at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Directed by Dr. Paul Tegels, Assistant Professor of Music, the group tours annually throughout the United States and internationally. The tour program this year includes a mix of historical and contemporary music. A freewill offering will be taken.

Affirmation of Baptism

Twelve eighth graders will affirm their baptism in the rite of Confirmation on Sunday, May 7, at the 11:00 service. The congregation is invited to the Confirmation Program on that Sunday in the Parish Hall from 9:45 to10:45 a.m.

Confirmands are: Kevin Brumbaugh, Julie Buxton, Alex Fornshell, Tim Garcia, Kyle Koser, Christopher Leavitt, Stephen Lofing, Matthew Metz, Hillary Pfeiffer, Aubrey Ramsey, Marlow Smith and Ryan Woodard.

LOGOS

Did you know that LOGOS has a different theme for every night? The theme for April 5 is Circus, and the theme for April 12 is Easter. Both nights, dismissal will be at 7:25 p.m. to allow families to attend Lenten services. There will be No LOGOS April 19 due to Holy Week. Family Night is planned for Wednesday, May 3, at the Heskitt Center on the Wichita State University campus. It is for the entire family. Activities will include volleyball, swimming, climbing wall, and other organized activities. Pizza and pop will be provided. PLEASE MARK THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR. We look forward to seeing you!

Usher Schedule for April

• 8:30 Robert Norton Jim Dumler
• 11:00 Obert Fladeland, Pat Johnson, Rod LaRue, Eugene Peters, Les Alseike, Mark Johnson, Emily Johnson

Meal-A-Month

Following is the suggested Meal-A-Month menu for the month of April:

• Beef Ravioli
• Mixed Vegetables
• Fruit / Jello
• Cornbread Mix
• Dry Milk (optional)

Be sure to pick up a Yellow Bag in the narthex and return it with requested items by April 30.

Nurturing Faith in the Home

We continue in the season of Lent. Last month’s column contained ideas for Lent. If you did not receive the Lenten Journey Sticker Centerpiece, there may still be some available at the Information Center. This is an excellent way to help your children learn more about this season and to count down until Easter. This month we present activities you can do as a family during Holy Week (week of April 17) and Easter (April 23).

• Draw a large cross on your bathroom mirror. Write the words, Jesus loves you and came to give us fresh new starts.
• On Good Friday, place a wooden cross on your kitchen table and cover it with a dark cloth to symbolize sadness as you explain that this is the day we remember Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. Place a white cloth over the cross on Easter to celebrate new life. Explain how Jesus rose from the dead on Easter.
• Hang paper butterflies around your house on Easter to celebrate new life. Relate the stages of a butterfly’s transformation to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• Write a note from the Easter Bunny to give to your children before they go to church, saying, Just hopping by to remind you that Jesus comes first today.
• Include a book, cassette tape, or other memento in the children’s baskets that reflects the true meaning of Easter.

Telecare Ministry Report

Our recent Telecare campaign to contact all local members with a caring call has been completed. Telecare’s purpose is to determine needs, concerns, and suggestions from our members as well as to offer prayer support to each family unit. During the past six weeks, over 40 callers have successfully reached 243 members. Those we were not able to reach have been sent a note explaining the ministry, its purpose, and a number to call with their comments. Thank you for your participation!

Telecare Coordinator - Lotus Gerards

From the Internship Site in Waco, TX

A few weeks ago, on the first Sunday in Lent, the appointed psalm was Psalm 25. It was an appropriate beginning for the season, a model prayer and a model of living.

In the psalm, we hear David's cries for help...O Lord, I lift up my soul. We hear his expression of trust...my God, I put my trust in you. He looks for God's favor and seeks his grace...All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant.

At Sinai, God spoke to Moses...If you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possessions out of all the peoples, and then he handed down the Ten Commandments. This is the covenant to which David is referring.

Several years ago I taught a high school Logos class at Reformation. We were discussing the Ten Commandments and what they mean for us today.

The kids were a little bored. They'd been over it all before, and they weren't very interested in the Ten Commandments until we looked at them in context to our world. As we began to unpack the language of the Commandments, the kids sat up and began to debate what God's will really is.

Very briefly, here are some of the ideas they came up with.

1. Put God first...
2. Don't swear..
3. Go to church.
4. Don't anger, hurt or ignore your parents.
5. Murder means more that taking the life of another person. It also means doing anything that will harm the lives of our neighbor.
6. Adultery means don't fool around or do anything that will come between the couple. Support their relationship in all ways.
7. Steal means to cheat in any way: on a test, running a yellow light, speeding, negotiating a deal to another's disadvantage. Anything that takes away from the well-being or dignity of another person is stealing.
8. Do not bear false witness mean don't gossip, don't criticize until you know the facts. It means come to the defense of our neighbors, speak well of them and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.
9. Covet means to envy, to want,
10. to desire, to wish for something that we don't have and to do what it takes to fulfill our desires. Why is this wrong? Because in our quest, we become separated from God and one another.

Psalm 25 is a fitting expression of faith during Lent. It demands that we take seriously God's covenants with us. I ask you to ponder these covenants during the final weeks of Lent. Post them on your refrigerator or bulletin board or make a screen saver out of them. Look at them every day. Force yourself to understand them in the context of your life: What obedience does God expect of you?

In Christ's Peace, Dawn Gorges

New Member Sunday - April 2

On Sunday, April 2, during the 11:00 a.m. worship service, the following persons will be welcomed into the membership of Reformation Church:

• Brandon & Robyn Brammer 777-4556, 150 Chestnut Dr., Mulvane 67110
• Eddie Ciesielski 944-0270, 7101 W. Shade, #205, Wichita 67212
• Philip Clinger 687-2242, 2503 White Cliff, Wichita 67210
• Nancy Day 799-2125, 10127 S. Webb Rd., Valley Center 67147
• Sean & Dawn Greb 682-6549, 2926 Bunker Hill Rd., #3, Wichita 67210
• Adrianne Hultman 282-0329, 923 E. Broadway, Newton 67114
• Amy Kuttler 775-5764, 11127 SW 64^th, Augusta 67010
• Kelly & Brenda Laflin 733-7902, Christine, Amy, 175 Williamsburg St., Andover 67002
• Ken Lang & Margo Stratton-Lang 636-5686, 2317 Plumthicket Ct., Wichita 67226
• Tabitha Percival 838-6843, Cadence Ciesielski, 2606 Coolidge, Wichita 67204
• Victoria Morgan 943-3477, 3406 W. 17^th, Wichita 67203
• Melissa Rindt 755-1793, 420 W. 85^th St. N., Valley Center 67147

Hospitalized?

If you are hospitalized, please call the church office (634-0586). Even if you request that your church be notified, hospitals are inconsistent about contacting us. Pastor Mansholt and the Parish Nurses would like to know and be supportive.

Last update August 03, 2008