The Herald St. Mark Lutheran Church
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May 2017 Page 1 SABBATH KEEPING: Part II: Embracing Sabbath “To the biblical mind, labor is the means toward an end, and the Sabbath as a day of rest, as a day of abstaining from toil, is not for the purpose of recovering one’s lost strength and becoming fit for the forthcoming labor. The Sabbath is a day for the sake of life. Man is not a beast of burden, and the Sabbath is not for the purpose of enhancing the efficiency of his work. The Sabbath is not for the sake of the weekdays; the weekdays are for the sake of Sabbath. It is not an interlude but the climax of living.” Heschel, Abraham Joshua, The Sabbath: It’s Meaning for Modern Man In last month’s HERALD article on Sabbath keeping, we looked at the first definition of the term Sabbath (from the Hebrew word Shabbat) which means to “cease or desist” or “to rest.” In Part II I’d like to look at the other two parts of the Sabbath experience: Embracing and Feasting. According to Lauren Winner in her book on Jewish spiritual disciplines, Mudhouse Sabbath, three questions were asked by Orthodox Jewish observers concerning any activity on the Sabbath: Does it promote rest and relaxation? Does it bring delight and enJOYment? Does it give you a sense of holiness and sanctity (does it add to your sense of God’s presence and purpose)? Observing the Sabbath is not about doing nothing, but about choosing to do that which brings you joy and draws you closer to the heart of God. Far from being just a legalistic imperative, keeping the Sabbath is a gift to God’s people. It is a time to put away that which distracts us from God and His purposes for our lives, and instead to embrace that which draws us closer to God through worship and time spent with family, friends, and creation. What activities draw you closer to the heart of God? Music? Art? Nature? Meals or visits with family and friends? Writing? Knitting? The possibilities are endless. The idea is that Sabbath experiences are NOT what you MUST DO rather what YOU MAY! Therefore activities for Sabbath keeping are chosen deliberately and with an eye to what feeds the soul. One Christian parent I know wrote, “Sabbath keeping says clearly that we are not going to do what everybody else does. We are going to be deliberate about our choices in order to live truly as we want to live in response to the grace of God. We are committed to certain values and, therefore, live in accordance with them as fully as we can. Everybody else catches up on yard work on Sundays, but we have chosen to rest from work on our Sabbath day. Everyone else goes window-shopping at the mall on that day, but we have chosen to cease the American hankering after possessions. We embrace the Sabbath day as a holy time for carefulness.” Finally, keeping Sabbath means feasting on all that God’s goodness provides: music, beauty, the eternal, food, affection. The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: (Continued on page 2) The Herald St. Mark Lutheran Church May 2017
Transcript of The Herald St. Mark Lutheran Church
May 2017 Page 1
SABBATH KEEPING: Part II: Embracing Sabbath
“To the biblical mind, labor is the means toward an end, and the Sabbath as a day of rest, as a day of abstaining from toil, is not for the purpose of recovering one’s lost strength and becoming fit for the forthcoming labor. The Sabbath is a day for the sake of life. Man is not a beast of burden, and the Sabbath is not for the purpose of enhancing the efficiency of his work. The Sabbath is not for the sake of the weekdays; the weekdays are for the sake of Sabbath. It is not an interlude but the climax of living.”
Heschel, Abraham Joshua, The Sabbath: It’s Meaning for Modern Man In last month’s HERALD article on Sabbath keeping, we looked at the first definition of the term Sabbath (from the Hebrew word Shabbat) which means to “cease or desist” or “to rest.” In Part II I’d like to look at the other two parts of the Sabbath experience: Embracing and Feasting. According to Lauren Winner in her book on Jewish spiritual disciplines, Mudhouse Sabbath, three questions were asked by Orthodox Jewish observers concerning any activity on the Sabbath:
Does it promote rest and relaxation? Does it bring delight and enJOYment? Does it give you a sense of holiness and sanctity (does it add to your sense of God’s presence and
purpose)? Observing the Sabbath is not about doing nothing, but about choosing to do that which brings you joy and draws you closer to the heart of God. Far from being just a legalistic imperative, keeping the Sabbath is a gift to God’s people. It is a time to put away that which distracts us from God and His purposes for our lives, and instead to embrace that which draws us closer to God through worship and time spent with family, friends, and creation. What activities draw you closer to the heart of God? Music? Art? Nature? Meals or visits with family and friends? Writing? Knitting? The possibilities are endless. The idea is that Sabbath experiences are NOT what you MUST DO rather what YOU MAY! Therefore activities for Sabbath keeping are chosen deliberately and with an eye to what feeds the soul. One Christian parent I know wrote, “Sabbath keeping says clearly that we are not going to do what everybody else does. We are going to be deliberate about our choices in order to live truly as we want to live in response to the grace of God. We are committed to certain values and, therefore, live in accordance with them as fully as we can. Everybody else catches up on yard work on Sundays, but we have chosen to rest from work on our Sabbath day. Everyone else goes window-shopping at the mall on that day, but we have chosen to cease the American hankering after possessions. We embrace the Sabbath day as a holy time for carefulness.” Finally, keeping Sabbath means feasting on all that God’s goodness provides: music, beauty, the eternal, food, affection. The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
(Continued on page 2)
The Herald
St. Mark Lutheran Church
May 2017
May 2017 Page 2
Rejoice!”(4:4) Life should be a celebration of what God has done, not only in creation, but also in the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ. We have much to CELEBRATE! Celebration is the honoring of that which we hold most dear. Celebration is delighting in that which tells us who we are. Celebration is taking the time to cherish each other. Celebration is returning with open arms and thankful hearts to our Maker. -Sara Wenger Shenk, Why Not Celebrate! For me then, Sabbath keeping, whether for a few hours or a day, whether on Sunday or another day of the week, whether alone or with family and friends, is a holy calling. It is a time of worship, a time to step away from the ordinary, embracing and celebrating what God has done and is doing in my life and the life of the world. Won’t you join me? In His love,
Pastor Carol Resources for Sabbath keeping Jewish Sabbath Ritual Opening Prayer
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us by the Commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Sabbath lights.
May the Sabbath-light which illumines our dwelling cause peace and happiness to shine in our home. Bless us, O God, on this holy Sabbath, and cause Thy divine glory to shine upon us.
Enlighten our darkness and guide us and all mankind, Thy children, towards truth and eternal light. Amen Reform Home Service for Sabbath Eve Come, let us welcome the Sabbath in joy and peace! Like a bride, radiant and joyous, comes the Sabbath. It brings blessings to our hearts; workday thoughts and cares are put aside. The brightness of the Sabbath light shines forth to tell that the divine spirit of love abides within our home. In that light all our blessings and enriched, all our griefs and trials are softened. Amen Books Babb, Lynne M., Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest, Downers Grove, Illinois; Intervarsity Press. Dawn, Marva, Keeping the Sabbath: Wholly and Unfettered Hope, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Eerdman’s Publishing Company. Heschel, Abraham Joshua, The Sabbath: It’s Meaning for Modern Man, New York, NY; Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
(Continued from page 1)
Average attendance for April
was 120
Embracing Sabbath 1-2
Sabbatical Coverage 3
90 Day Challenge 4
Faith Family Fun 5
St Mark in Pictures 6-7
LSSA 8
Birthday & Anniversaries 8
Lifetree 10
Calendar 11
Inside this issue:
May 2017 Page 3
DATE Preaching/Presiding 90 Day Challenge
ACTS Verses Gospel Children’s Msg
Emergency Clergy Coverage
Council Contact
May 7 Chris Jensen & youth Acts 1 Acts 1:6-8 Matthew 7:21-29
youth Mark Orf-GD Chery B
May 14 Fran Victor/Lea Anne McWhorter
Acts 2:1-41 Acts 2:36-41 Matthew 3:13-17
Fran V Mark Orf- GD Sheli D
May 21 John Zimmerman/Carol Deveaux presiding
Acts 2:42-Acts 3
Acts 2:42-47 Matthew 5:13-16
John Z Mark Orf-GD Sheli D
May 28 Mel Vesco Acts 4 Acts 4:32-35 Matthew 6:19-34
Mel V Julia Seymour-Hope
Sheli D
June 4- Pentecost Sunday
Melissa Ihly (w/various readers)will be doing a special presentation Carol Deveaux presider
Acts 5 n/a n/a John Easton Julia Seymour-Hope
Cheryl B
June 11 Sheli Dodson/Carol Deveaux presiding
Acts 6 Acts 6:8-15 Mark 6:8-15 Sheli D Julia Seymour-Hope
Jane B
June 18 (Father’s Day)
Scott Graves/Lea Anne McWhorter
Acts 7 Acts 7:51-Acts 8:1a
Luke 22:63-Luke 23:12
Scott G Lisa/Jeff Hackler ANLC/Central
Eric K
June 25 Fran Victor/Lea Anne McWhorter assisting Ramiriz-Xiong baptisms
Acts 8 Acts 8:1b-8 Or Act 8:26-39
Matthew 4:18-22
Fran V L Lisa/Jeff Hackler ANLC/Central
Eric K
July 2 Mel Vesco Acts 9 Acts 9:1-19 John 8:1-12 Mel V Lisa/Jeff Hackler ANLC/Central
Chery B
July 9 Sheli Dodson preaching/Carol Deveaux presiding
Acts 10 Acts 10:34-43 John 4:7-30 Sheli D Martin Eldred/Joy
Chris D
July 16 Fran Victor/Lea Anne McWhorter assisting
Acts 11 Acts 11:1-18 John 21:15-19
Fran V Martin Eldred/ Joy
Thelma R
July 23 Mel Vesco Acts 17 Acts 17:22-29 Fran Edwin Weber/Amazing Grace
Jane B
July 30 Tara Orley-Kuwaa Mission Presentation Carol Deveaux Presider
Fran or Tara Edwin Weber/Amazing Grace
Scott G
Congregational Care : Point of contact will be Cheryl Barstad. She will have the schedule of volunteers for Congregational Care. Cheryl’s contact number 561-1028
SCHEDULE OF SABBATICAL COVERAGE
Points of contact while Pastor Carol is on Sabbatical: Administrative-Sheli Dodson, Council President, 227-4036 Congregational Care-Cheryl Barstad, 720-3514 Worship-John Zimmerman, 250-1566 Any questions, you can contact the church office, 276-6231. If we do not have the answer, we will try to find out.
May 2017 Page 4
90 Day Challenge
The Acts of the Holy Spirit St. Mark Sabbatical Journal
90 Day Challenge: The Acts of the Holy Spirit:
Listening to God Introduction
The 90 Day Challenge of Acts was developed by Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, Washington. They asked themselves, “What if we ask our entire congregation to dive into Scripture together every day?” They found the experience transformative, unifying, inspiring, and challenging. As we at St. Mark Lutheran Church begin, with our pastor, a 90-day sabbatical journey we will LISTEN TO GOD in trust and faith that this time may be equally transformative, unifying, inspiring and challenging for us. We will experience together how the very first disciples learned to listen to God through the Holy Spirit once Jesus had ascended. “What happened next?” The Book of the Acts of the Apostles tells us just that. We are going to look at the first generation of those wondering, “what happens next” and discover that even all these generations later we are still asking many of the same questions and listening to God for answers. You are invited to begin the 90 Day sabbatical challenge of:
LISTENING TO GOD
As we start this 90 Day Challenge we will be specifically looking at the work of the Holy Spirit and how God makes God’s self known through the Holy Spirit. Each week, we will be looking at one chapter of the book of Acts and one theme͘. Each day, we’re asking everyone to read that week’s assigned chapter and then to engage with that chapter in one of six ways. (We’ve given ourselves a catch-up day each week.) This booklet will provide the prompts for each day and we’re asking everyone to record your thoughts and responses in your own journal͘ In your pamphlet are some thoughts on how to use the daily journal prompts, which spell out S-P-I-R-I-T. We journey in the hope that the Word of God begins to take deep root in your heart and that you might begin to share this transformative Word with others. You will need: Your Bible Your own journal A willingness to grow deeper roots of faith Let’s get started!
May 2017 Page 5
May 2017 Page 6
Fran Victor, Minister of Word and Service Welcome to the Roster!
(pictured with Ak. Synod Bishop Shelley Wickstrom)
George “Geo” & Clover Cromer Baptized in Christ!
(parents Heather and George Cromer)
Naomi Undem 9lbs, 24 inches, 04/17/17
St. Mark in Pictures
New Beginnings
Congratulations Graduates
Sonja Barnard and
Brooke Plaster
May 2017 Page 7
New Members Mark and Barb Fullmer
New Members Michael and Elizabeth Undem
Lent Service Projects
Welcome! New Members
Sandwiches for Brother Francis Shelter
May 2017 Page 8
Lutheran Social Services of Alaska
The Alaska Visitor Charity Walk is coming up on May 12th at 6 PM. The walk is often referred to as the “Graze and Raise” because several food villas dot the course that begins at the Dena’ina Center and winds through downtown Anchorage. The walk gives the opportunity for participants to sign up to raise money for a charity. If you sign up as part of the LSSA team, your registration fee and any pledges collected will benefit LSSA. Registration costs $35 for adults and $20 for kids. Register online at alaskacharitywalk.org , select Anchorage walk. Make sure to select Lutheran Social Services of Alaska under the Team drop-down menu. Deadline to preregister on-line is May 7th. I will pick up the bibs for all the LSSA team and pass them out at the Dena’ina Center before the walk begins. If you cannot walk you can still donate by sponsoring anyone on the LSSA team. The National Association of Letters Carrier annual food drive is scheduled for Saturday, May 13th. Last year this food drive raised over 48,000 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Alaska and LSSA’s share was 4,000 pounds. We need volunteers who can help us wave banners on Friday, May 12th
from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on the corner of Minnesota and Spenard Road. You also participate by leaving food items in your mailbox on Saturday, May 13th for your Letter Carriers to pick up. This is an important food drive as school will be out soon and summer is the busiest time of the year for the food pantry. If you can help us wave signs, call the LSSA office at 272-0643 ext. 10 to sign up. As you begin your spring cleaning make sure to keep a lookout for any gently used/clean or new coats for our HUGSS and Coats for Kids program which takes place in August. Coats can be dropped off at Fireweed Cleaners or at the LSSA office. We will also be collecting school supplies. Many kids go without appropriate winter coats and school supplies, making school even more challenging. All sizes of coats are welcome. Save the date of September 15, 2017 for the annual Harvest of Hope Auction at the Sheraton Anchorage. Together caring for others, Alan Budahl, Executive Director
Prayer Partner for May is Alaska Native Lutheran
Church, Anchorage Reverend Lisa Hackler, Pastor
One of our last Preschool Chapel times. Graduation is May 24th.
See you next year! Miss Bonnie and Miss Kim
May 2017 Page 9
Have a birthday or anniversary that is not
listed? Please contact the office at
[email protected] or 276-6231.
John & Cheryl Barstad 5/14
Stephanie & Brian Bissland 5/17
Rob & Lea Anne Mcwhorter 5/25
Cheryl Barstad 5/3
Laura Mcwhorter 5/4
Rachel Dailey 5/6
Daria Severson 5/8
Brandon Plaster 5/9
Gerald Swanson 5/15
Beverly Larson 5/16
Sophia Dahl 5/18
Michael Adams 5/20
Heather Scaife 5/22
Jinup Biel 5/24
Lena Yang 5/26
Daniel Orzechowski 5/28
Timothy Burnham 5/30
May 2017 Page 10
May 2017 Page 11
You can access the on-line calendar from our
webpage. Click on ABOUT
May 2017 Page 12
St. Mark Lutheran Church
3230 Lake Otis Parkway
Anchorage, AK 99508
All are Welcome!
St. Mark Lutheran Church; 3230 Lake Otis Parkway; Anchorage, AK 99508
[email protected]; www.stmarkalaska.org; (907) 276-6231;
Rev. Carol A. George, Pastor
John Zimmerman, Director of Music Ministry
Marsha Korri, Administrative Assistant
The Herald is published most months and delivered
by email, on-line, hard copy, and available in the
Narthex. If you would like to change or update your
method of delivery, contact the office,
[email protected], 276-6231
