RE-FOCUS
A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church
Volume 20 August 2000 Number 8
From the Pastor
Earlier this month I was among the thousand or so pastors,
musicians, and worship leaders from all across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
who took part in Worship 2000. This July 10-13 event in Chicago featured plenary
sessions at Navy Pier, forums in area churches, workshops, worship, songfests, and
exhibits. All of this was for the purpose of excellence in worship.
I have been telling people that Worship 2000 was a renewing
experience for me--not just in the mechanics of worship but in faith and life. Under the
theme, Lifting Up Jesus Christ - Yesterday, Today & Forever, preachers,
speakers, and leaders proclaimed the Gospel with power and clarity.
Worship 2000 affirmed many of the things we are trying to do
at Reformation, such as our moving toward the weekly celebration of Holy Communion or our
using many kinds of music that is both theologically and musically appropriate.
The event also helped me to see there are many ways for us to deepen
our worship life, such as in the creative use of silence, communication with different
forms of art, or lifting up the connections between worship and social justice.
In worship we encounter the living God who meets us in Jesus Christ.
There God comes to refresh our lives, renew our faith, and send us forth as Spirit-filled
disciples. At Worship 2000, speaker after speaker emphasized the discipleship that
is to follow our worship.
Let us continue to deepen our worship life, growing in the many
gifts of the Spirit. Let us praise God in many beautiful ways, and renewed, delight in
God’s will and walk in God’s ways.
- Pastor Jerry Mansholt
From the Deaconess
My younger brother and I have always been so different that I used
to tell him that he was adopted. Growing up in a very small community, everyone knew we
were related, but most of our friends and classmates found it hard to believe. One of the
areas in which our differences were very obvious was our attitude toward learning.
I was always one of those weird kids who enjoyed school and even
looked forward to it starting in the fall. Eugene only went because he had to and would
have preferred the freedom of summer to last all year long.
When we were in high school (just one year apart), our parents tried
to get Eugene motivated by paying him $1.00 for every "A" he earned. Since my
parents believed in giving equally, they had to offer me the same deal. It worked for me!
It was an easy way to make some money. It didn’t work to motivate my brother, who
continued to get "C’s" and "D’s."
My favorite pastime was, and still is, reading. I don’t
remember ever seeing Eugene read a book. Nor can I recall him ever doing homework. Now I
don’t want to sound like I was a model child, so I’ll confess that I did tend to
procrastinate about homework, but I did do it.
There we were, two children born and raised by the same parents, but
totally opposite when it came to our commitment to learning.
The commitment to learning is an asset or building block that
contributes to the healthy development of young people. Unlike the other assets I have
previously talked about, this is an internal asset which can be fostered by a positive
approach and attitude by parents and other adults, but which comes from within each
individual.
So although my brother and I were raised by the same parents, we
internalized their messages differently and perhaps even received slightly different
messages. As we anticipate the beginning of another school/Sunday school year, we all need
to be aware of how our attitudes toward school and learning are projected to the young
people around us. We can make a difference!
- Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman
Thanks to all who remembered me and my family after my mother’s
death on June 5. Your thoughts and prayers were, and still are, a source of strength and
comfort. It has all reminded me of how wonderful and caring our church family is.
- Susan Martin
* * *
We would like to thank the Reformation family for their prayers
following Clarice’s sister’s accident and their cards of sympathy at her death.
- Clarice & Gene Peters
* * *
Thank you so much for opening your beautiful place of worship for us
to stay [overnight on Friday, July 21]. You have played an important role in our mission
trip experience. We needed a place for rest and shelter, and the Lord provided
Reformation. Thanks!
Sincerely in Christ,
Mission Mexico Group
St. Ansgar’s and VASA Lutheran Churches
Cannon Falls, MN
Caregiving Skill Development
In October, three special sessions to help members develop and
enhance their skills in Listening; better understand Feelings: Yours, Mine &
Ours; and learn about Christian Caregiving will be offered to all
interested members. Reserve the evenings of October 2, 9, & 16 on your calendar
and watch future newsletters for more details. The sessions will be conducted by trained
Stephen Leaders.
Usher Schedule for August
- 8:30 - Mark Metz, Randy Worrell, Bob Weaver
- 10:00 - David Day, Jan Moyer, Fred Hambright, Ken Woodard, Ben
Langel, Ryan Woodard
The Parish Record
APRIL - JUNE
BAPTISM
- Olivia Rae Payne, April 22
- Sean Christian Greb, April 30
- Evan Carlson Byers, May 28
- Allison Elizabeth Haeker, June 11
- Emma Kathryn Taylor, June 11
- Jessica Lynn Nitcher, June 25
MARRIAGE
- Grace Thompson and Michael Decker, May 20
- Karen Brown and Kory Wilson, June 10
TRANSFER
- Robert & Patricia McCleary to Bethany Lutheran, Wichita
DEATH
- Johnie Pearl Nulan, June 1
Women of Reformation
None of the Circles will meet in August, so take a deep
breath and get ready to start a new Bible study in September. If you are a new member at
Reformation, September would be a good time to start attending one of the circles.
There will be a Board Meeting in the library on Monday, August
7, at 1:00 p.m. All officers and circle leaders need to attend.
Did you miss the July 15 deadline for registering for the Central
States Synodical Women of the ELCA Convention? Never fear! You may register at the
door. If you can only attend Friday,
August 11, the cost is $15; Saturday, August 12, the
cost is $35. However, you will be on your own for meals. Hopefully, some of you will
decide you can attend after all.
Blanket Makers will not meet on July 31, as was
announced earlier. They will meet August 7 & 21 in the Parish Hall at 9:00 a.m.
Plan to join us for Women’s Night Out on Tuesday, August
29, at 6:30 p.m. This month we are meeting at Macaroni Grill, 1920 N. Rock Road.
Please sign up on the nursery door or call Kimberly Lindemann at 691-1440.
HOLY LAND TRIP ANNOUNCED
Have you considered a trip to the Holy Land? Have you wanted to
visit those places mentioned in the Bible, to walk where Jesus walked?
Anita and I invite you to consider joining us on a trip to the Holy
Land next spring. The dates of our 10-Day Biblical Tour of Israel will be March 19-28,
2001.
People have said their trip to the Holy Land was a journey of a
lifetime. We expect this Biblical tour in Lent to be a time of spiritual refreshment
for all of us who journey together.
While spring may seem like a long way off, now is the time for us to
begin the planning. You are invited to an informational meeting on Sunday, August 13,
7:00 P.M., in the Parish Hall.
For more information, please call either Anita or me (office,
634-0586, or home, 684-5946).
Dates to Put on Your Calendar
- Sept. 7 Healthy Communities * Healthy Youth Workshop at
Botanica
- Sept. 9 3rd Grade Bible Workshop
- Sept. 10 Kick-off for Sunday School and fall programing
- Sept. 15-16 LOGOS Workshop
- Sept. 20 Confirmation Dinner & Commissioning for 7th &
8th graders and their families
- Oct. 2 First Communion Classes begin
- Oct. 4 LOGOS & Confirmation begins
Grief Sharing Group
We are once again offering a six-week Grief Sharing Group for anyone
who is experiencing sorrow due to a significant loss. This group will meet on Thursdays,
from 4:30-6:00 p.m. beginning October 12. Virginia Arnold, a nationally certified
counselor, will facilitate the group.
From the Seminary . . .
Before seminarians begin the last year of study a final approval
essay is required for the synod. The paper consists of four questions.
The first part is Scripture. A sermon is written based on the
pericope for July 23. The texts for that Sunday were Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 23, Ephesians
2:11-22, and Mark 6:30-34, 53-56. The Markan text is about the time Jesus sent the
disciples out to teach and heal, and they ministered among large numbers of people. Jesus
had compassion for the crowds because, "they were like sheep without a
shepherd." The question also provides a congregational context to help construct the
sermon. Finally, the writer evaluates the sermon.
Part two of the essay is about theology and Scripture. This
question is concerned about "preferential option for the poor." This concept is
rooted in Latin American liberation theology. It proposes that the poor are God’s
favorites and should be lifted up by the Church. The purpose of the question is to
challenge the student to show how she uses Scripture, Church tradition, reason and
experience to discuss the issue.
The third part is leadership and the practice of ministry. In
this section, the student is asked to choose a real issue or conflict in the internship
community and respond to it. Waco does not have any blaring community concerns, but
poverty and the disparity between rich and poor is as real there as anywhere else. In
discussing the problem, I argued that my pastoral position was to proclaim the gospel and
to create enough discomfort among the people that they would share the work of Christ to
the poor.
The final part is person in ministry. In this, the student
considers the expectations of ordained pastors and evaluates her own personal qualities
that are present and are lacking. In a second section of this part, the student is asked
to describe three persons, events, or written resources that have helped form her
identity. I wrote on an experience I had as a chaplain and about Msgr. Lonnie Reyes at St.
Julia Catholic Church in Austin, where I did my Hispanic field work. I’m still
working on the third part of that question.
The paper is due in the synod office September 1. In January, I will
come back to Kansas City and be interviewed/questioned about my essay. If all goes well,
and I trust it will, I will then have my final approval and my name will be submitted to
the meeting of bishops in February. At that time I will be assigned to a synod.
Now you know how I spent my summer vacation! It was good to be at
Reformation on July 16 and see so many old friends and make new ones.
God bless you all! Dawn Gorges
Faith in the Home
The ELCA has committed that September 2000 to August 2001 be a time
for congregations to focus on the Call to Discipleship. As part of this
"call," seven faith practices have been identified as activities that shape us
as disciples.
This month you are encouraged to be intentional in your home to
choose activities that encourage prayer. Below are some ideas to help you.
- Make bedtime a time of personal attention and rich conversation.
Read, sing and reflect on the joys and frustrations of the day and pray in a
conversational way.
- Offer "instant prayers" or brief, spontaneous prayers as
you and your family encounter joys and challenges throughout the day.
- Let the sight of a police car, fire truck, or ambulance prompt you to
say quick prayers for the people involved.
- Enrich your leave-taking or times to say goodbye with this prayerful
exchange: The Lord be with you. And also with you.
- Nurture natural ways to pray. God doesn’t need to hear grand and
glorious words. God longs to hear our voice anytime, anywhere, and for any reason.
Sunday School Task Force Report
The Sunday School Task Force has completed the body of their work in
evaluating our Sunday School ministry and making recommendations for the coming year.
Following is a summary of the actions and recommendations of the Task Force:
1. Wrote a mission statement for Sunday School (which includes adult
Sunday School). Mission statement should be kept in front of people involved with the
Sunday School ministry.
The mission of our Sunday School ministry is to provide an
opportunity for all ages to learn, understand, and grow in faith-to live a life of
discipleship and experience the faith community.
2. Change to lectionary-based curriculum for our children’s
Sunday School thru 8th grade.
3. Continue to use a traditional approach to Sunday School.
4. Designate a classroom for High School.
5. Have a formal enrollment for Sunday School.
6. Based on enrollment numbers, combine grades and assign rooms.
7. Coordinate an off-site meeting location for an adult breakfast
study.
8. Require teacher development to be mandatory.
9. Call a person to the position of Sunday School Coordinator.
10. Organize a Curriculum Team to select and evaluate curriculum.
11. Organize a Publicity Team to publicize events, do temple talks,
and write monthly articles or possibly a Sunday School Newsletter.
12. Form a ministry team to plan adult education.
LOGOS
LOGOS is a special four-part midweek program designed to build
strong Christian relationships among our youth. The program is scheduled to begin
Wednesday, October 4. Again this year, sessions will be held from 5:00 to 7:45 p.m.
LOGOS has been enthusiastically received by both the adults and the young people involved
in this program. As our baptismal service states, "As we live with him and with his
people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God."
We are quite fortunate to have C.J. Reardon, a dynamic LOGOS trainer
from Texas, who will be present on September 15 and 16 at Reformation. An
enrollment dinner and meeting for the parents and staff of LOGOS will be held on Friday,
September 15. On Saturday, September 16, the training for LOGOS staff will take place.
Don’t miss this meaningful opportunity!!!
