1

HARBOR LIGHTS PENTECOST SUMMER 2018

ISSUE 380

As a uniquely metropolitan congregation, the people of Christ Lutheran Church are called to proclaim the Gospel, serve others, and invite all to experience God’s love and saving grace.

The Season of Pentecost begins

Sunday, May 20

OUR SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS SUNDAY, MAY 27

SUNDAY MORNING CONTEMPORARY

WORSHIP BEGINS AT 9:45 AM

We will not have Wednesday mid-week worship services during the summer

RESUMING IN SEPTEMBER

Children, Youth and Adult Education

Wednesday mid-week worship services

Friday Bible Study

Jaden Kielty Jeremy Stevens Aaron Taylor

Nicholas Wells

...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

Keep our high school graduates in your prayers as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. We celebrate this great accomplishment and look forward to seeing where God will lead them next!

SAVE THE DATE

SATURDAY, SEPT 15

IN THE PLAZA

AT NOON

FOOD * GAMES *

FUN FOR ALL AGES

2

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

(410) 752-7179

Please call the church office...

• if you or a member of your family is admitted to the hospital so the pastors may schedule a hospital visit.

• if you have a new address, telephone number, or email address.

• when your committee or group plans a meeting or an activity—the room MUST be cleared and the church calendar noted.

• if you have any questions about baptisms, weddings, serving, or any of our programs.

Christ Lutheran Church 701 S Charles Street

Baltimore MD 21230-3835 www.christinnerharbor.org ♦ 410-752-7179

Pastor Tjornehoj ..................................................................................... 3

Pastor Ballard ......................................................................................... 4

Social Ministry ....................................................................................... 5

Music Ministry

Notes from Daniel Aune ............................................................... 6-7

Christian Education:

According to Carlien Parlett ............................................................ 8

World Hunger ........................................................................................ 9

Environmental Stewardship ................................................................... 9

Adult Fellowship .................................................................................. 10

Council Highlights ............................................................................... 11

Stephen Ministry at Christ ................................................................... 12

Attendance and Offering Report .......................................................... 12

Shelter Dinner Donations ..................................................................... 12

Christ Lutheran Church Nursery School .............................................. 12

Health Ministry .................................................................................... 13

Baltimore Outreach Services (BOS) .................................................... 14

Pastoral Acts ........................................................................................ 15

Memorials and Gifts ............................................................................. 16

Thank You Notes ................................................................................. 17

Monthly Devotions .............................................................................. 18

Weekly Worship

Schedule

SUNDAYS

Traditional Service of Holy Communion

8:30 am

Contemporary Service of Holy Communion

8:45 am

Traditional Service of Holy Communion

11:00 am

WEDNESDAYS Morning Service of Prayer &

Holy Communion 11:00 am

Candlelight

Holy Communion 7:15 pm

In case of pastoral emergency, the pastors can be

reached by their personal numbers.

Pastor Susan E. Tjornehoj 410-685-0247

Associate Pastor Patrick Ballard 919-215-0419

www.facebook.com/CLCbaltimore

Christ Lutheran Church is and has been a Reconciling in Christ congregation since February 2001.

To learn more, visit: www.reconcilingworks.org/what/ric

3

“On the seventh day God rested.”

Dear Christ Lutheran followers of Jesus,

It’s the summer edition of Harbor Lights. These pages sweep through weddings and a chili cook off, a National Youth Gathering and Americana Sunday, a trip to do a habitat build in the Dominican Republic, board meetings and everywhere it is clear mission and ministry never take a pause, a rest. Worship continues though with a slightly different rhythm. For many of you, it is the season when your family will take God up on the suggestion to rest, vacation, cease from work. It is your sabbath. Yes, God built rest into the orders of creation, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating he had done.” (Genesis 2.1) These months are our seventh day, a time to connect with creation and family and rest and renewal.

But God’s good work through Christ Church never takes a vacation! Women and senior citizens and children need shelter. The hungry need food and seekers need a space to come into the presence of God’s grace every week. Maybe this summer is a time to invite your neighbor or co-worker to worship and an afternoon at Camden Yards or the Inner harbor. While you are away, worship in another church and bring back stories and ideas. Last week, one of Christ’s flock wanted me to know that she would be missing a couple of Sundays because of graduations. She said, “Pastor, I need a Pew Envelope for my offerings, I can’t miss a Sunday.” Thank you and the work continues. Consider giving on-line so you don’t miss a Sunday.

Over these next months there will be a few changes in staff as Clare Lentz completes her Interim work as Coordinator of Social Ministry. What a gift she has been to the life and mission of Christ. At the end of the summer we will welcome Luke Warner as our Intern and his spouse Christina. We will seek another member of our Team to become a Director of Congregational Life and I may be stepping into a time of sabbath for a few weeks.

And it is very good. Thank you for your generosity, your commitment to the Spirit’s work through Christ and your openness to a future not yet known!

With a grateful heart, Pastor Tjornehoj

Pastor Susan Tjornehoj

Our very own Pastor Christopher Otten has been deployed and is serving as a Military Chaplain in Afghanistan. To show our love and support for him, we will be collecting items during May and June to send to him and the troops he is serving with.

Chris' special requests are • Individual Crystal Light packets (all flavors) • Nuts (pistachios, peanuts, cashews, Wasabi/

Smokehouse almonds) Needs of the troops include: • Toiletries (travel/hotel sized) - soap, shaving cream,

disposable razors shampoo, toothpaste, body wash, toothbrushes, Chapstick.

• Snacks - US brand items to savor a piece of the States (Oreos, Thin Mints, Nature Valley), Slim Jims

• Condiments - Cholula Hot Sauce, Rudy’s BBQ Sauce

Items will be collected through June 30 and can be placed in the bin located in the Coffee Hour room.

Contact Clare Lentz or call the church office for more information.

Join us in the coffee hour room at 9:30 am on Sunday, May 20, for cake as we celebrate our Interim Coordinator of Social Ministry Clare Lentz’s work and dedication!

Although Clare’s tenure ends on May 31, she will still be active at Christ Lutheran and you will see her smiling face.

Christ Church received a Certificate of Thanks signed by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Bishop Bill Gohl for our mission support.

We give thanks to God for your generosity that allowed us to give

$100,000.00

to support ministries outside of this congregation!

4

Pastor Patrick Ballard “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” – Acts 2:1-2

As we prepare to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, I am reminded that Christ Lutheran is not a people who are not waiting for the right moment to live out God’s plan for us. Instead we are people full of hopes and dreams and excitement for what God has in store. This springtime has been full of Holy-Spirit energy for everyone in our congregation, as new congregation council members got to work, property projects continued, folks were visited and prayed for, children and adults were baptized, volunteers prepared for and led our worship, and musicians guided us in praise of the most high God. Perhaps most clear to me, because of my particular call, has been the activity of the Holy Spirit in the midst of our young people.

In weeks preceding and following Holy Week, the youth have been quite busy. On March 16, thirty-three middle school youth (and four brave chaperones) gathered at the church for a spring Lock-in. This included all nineteen young people that are part of our Confirmation program and fourteen friends with whom they could not wait to share this time. It was an evening full of excitement and controlled chaos, as we played games, participated in a photo scavenger hunt, and worshipped together using the ancient service of Compline, or night prayer, in the chapel. In the midst of their raucous enthusiasm, I am always awestruck by their dedication to prayer and worship as central to our gatherings together. Besides playing “Grog,” a flashlight tag game which we also enjoyed, praying the Compline service was the request that I received from the middle schoolers in anticipation of the evening. After a very late bedtime, we awoke semi-refreshed for a service project that began the work of cleaning up and refreshing the courtyard playground.

The following weekend, on March 23, fifteen high school youth and four chaperones gathered for their Spring Lock-in, which featured a trip down to Lansdowne for some duck-pin bowling. Again, the evening was made complete with deep conversations, young people supporting one another, and praying the Compline service. Thankfully the high schoolers enjoy sleep a bit more than their middle school counterparts, and we had plenty of energy to assist with the church’s Easter Egg Hunt the next morning. Especially helpful in this regard was the hot breakfast prepared by a couple of parents who really outdid themselves with eggs, cinnamon rolls, scrapple and much more. This is a tradition that our young people would love to continue.

The last major event on the Spring youth calendar was the LYO (Lutheran Youth Organization) Transformers Retreat. This is an annual middle school leadership retreat where congregations are asked to nominate up to three young people who have gifts for serving their communities, churches, and the world. It is organized by the LYO, a group of about 60 high school students from across our Delaware-Maryland Synod. Christ Lutheran currently has two leaders among this number, and all three of our middle schoolers who attended the Transformers leadership retreat have plans to apply for next year. The event was spectacular, as these high school leaders planned and carried out brilliant and thought provoking curriculum around social justice issues, led inspiring worship and music throughout the weekend, organized important and relevant service projects, and welcomed one another with unbounded hospitality.

As we move into the summer months and travel to Houston for the ELCA Youth Gathering, there is no doubt that the activity of the Holy Spirit will remain alive in and among our youth. I also trust that it will remain throughout our congregation, continuing to inspire us, guide us, and lead us into the future. Thanks be to God!

Peace,

Pastor Patrick

ELCA YOUTH GATHERING 2018

June 27 - July 1

Please keep the youth and adult chaperones in your prayers as we travel to Houston, Texas for the Youth Gathering!

Youth from all over the U.S. will gather for praise, worship, fellowship and service!

5

Each Wednesday evening during Lent, as we gathered, supped, and worshipped, we honored a 'Season of Hope.' Our focus, in partnership with Lutheran World Relief, was to Give, Make, Worship and Pray, and the following service projects and photographs will show how active the congregation was in the 'Make' category.

We began by making seventeen spring break snack-packs for elementary and middle school children in the SHARPkids afterschool program in Sharp Leadenhall. We included a family-sized peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, rice cakes, and dried cranberries (along with a mandala coloring book and colored pencils). SHARPkids enrolls children from low-income families at Federal Hill Preparatory Elementary and other nearby schools. (FYI, the rate of families with low-incomes at our three closest schools is estimated to range from 41% to 79%. These are estimates only because the district no longer requires paperwork for free lunches; lunch is free for all students as of two years ago.)

Another night we made a hundred seed-balls with Blue Water Baltimore. Seed-balls are a mixture of clay and native seeds, and are meant to be thrown into hard-to-reach areas to encourage growth. Mary Lewis, the Herring Run Nursery coordinator, joined us for an informal discussion on Baltimore's water health, the Chesapeake Bay, and how native plants help the watershed.

Later, we made fifteen personal care kits (towel, nail clippers, soap, comb, and toothbrush) to send around the world via Lutheran World Relief. These kits are simple and portable, and can be handed out to refugees coping with war and disaster. We also made two large (double-bed size) fleece blankets for LWR. Blankets are sent to countries in need of emergency resources (Georgia, Burkina Faso, Peru, Mauritania, and Niger are current examples).

We ended (after a snowfall tried to thwart our plans) by making six baby care kits for LWR. Baby care kits include t-shirts, receiving blankets, gentle soap, sweatshirts, sleepers, hand towels, socks, all rolled into cloth diapers and affixed with diaper pins. The kits cover a range of sizes from newborn to age two, and help supplement a family's baby supplies throughout their baby's growth.

It was an active Lent. And afterwards, carloads of the resulting donations were hand-delivered to Sharp Leadenhall and to the Lutheran World Relief warehouse in New Windsor (part of the Brethren Service Center, a large facility serving several organizations under one roof).

Looking ahead, there will be another opportunity to be involved, by reviewing and commenting on the working draft of the Women and Justice social statement. The ELCA currently has twelve social statements on a range of topics from 'Caring for creation' to 'The church and criminal justice,' from 'Genetics' to 'Economic life.' The statements are meant to "guide the life of this church as an institution and inform the conscience of its members in the spirit of Christian liberty.” (They can be found in their entirety (or in summary format) at ELCA.org, under the header 'Faith.') The new statement, on Women and Justice, is open for study and response by September of this year, before it is voted upon by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. We will gather on the following dates to review the draft and compile comments to submit to the ELCA: Sunday, May 20 at 12:30 pm, Sunday, June 3 at 6:30 pm, and Sunday, June 10 (if needed) at 6:30 pm. Please join in! You can download or print the statement to read beforehand at www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Current-Social-Writing-Projects or contact Clare Lentz for a copy and to RSVP.

In appreciation for the effort put forth during Lent and year-round at Christ Lutheran Church; effort that causes a positive ripple in the neighborhood and throughout the world.

Clare Lentz SocialMinistry@ChristInnerHarbor.org

6

At the end of May we will celebrate Memorial Day. It is a time to remember those who have given their life for our country while serving in the armed forces. It is a solemn and significant occasion which is often overshadowed by “start of summer” festivities. We become so focused on parties and picnics that the weekend could pass without giving thought to the actual purpose of the holiday.

In the Church it is sometimes difficult to create space for civic rituals. This year’s Memorial weekend is liturgically the celebration of the Holy Trinity. With the abundance of great hymns and anthems for this feast day, there is little space in the liturgy for music to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. But we still remember those who now rest in peace, far from the ravages of war. Our fallen soldiers.

The Church grapples with how to handle that word – soldier – in the context of our faith. There is good reason for that, as the connotations can sometimes be considered fanatical or extremist in our current culture. The word has slowly been removed with each new edition of the hymnal. While based on scripture (II Timothy 2:1-7) and having been used at many important occasions, you will no longer see “Onward, Christian Soldiers” in most hymnals. In today’s world, the first assumption from that title would misleadingly bring visions of the Church’s extremism during the Crusades. But we have also lost a verse from “For All the Saints.” The third verse in LBW reads, “Oh, may your soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old and win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!” Whether we like it or not, we have historically been soldiers of the faith who struggle through the battles of this life to find our eternal paradise.

In “From Age to Age: How Christians Have Celebrated the Eucharist,” Edward Foley writes:

One of the more common translations of the Greek musterion was the Latin sacramentum. As used by the Romans, the word sacramentum had numerous legal meanings…. Another common meaning of the word was an oath, particulary one taken by newly enlisted troops to the emperor. According to Edward Malone, newly initiated soldiers were also provided with some sort of identification mark and often given a new name by the army. These three acts (the oath, identification mark, and registration of the new name) were called the sacramentum militia (literally, “military sacraments”). Eventually these acts would find clear analogies in the initiation of Christians who would profess a creed, receive an “indelible mark” on the soul, and receive a Christian name. More important for the history of Christian sacramentality, however, was the borrowing of the word sacramentum by Latin writers like Tertullian – the son of a soldier who understood the range of legal and political meanings of this word.

In this context, as the early Church so often adapted ritual and meaning from the culture around it, and in the very best sense of the word, we are indeed “soldiers” of the faith. We make our profession both literally in the liturgy but also in how we live. We have been marked with the saving cross of Christ which is ours forever. We have received a new name, and it is “Child of God.” We have been given the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) to protect us through the many battles of life. We are led by the Prince of Peace, who lovingly guides and shepherds those in his care. We are a unit whose purpose is to bring peace, healing, faith, hope, and love to a hurting and ravaged world. We fight for compassion, following Christ’s example. And our greatest weapon to conquer the darkness is that which we receive from above, unconditional love.

On Memorial Day, and at all times, let us say a prayer for those currently serving in our armed forces. Let us not forget those who have lost their life in defense of our freedoms. And let us gratefully and exuberantly share the good news of the one who gave his life on the cross for our ultimate freedom.

Soli Deo Gloria! Daniel Aune

“Mansions of the Lord” by Randall Wallace To fallen soldiers let us sing Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing Our broken brothers let us bring To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight No prayers pleading through the night Just divine embrace, Eternal light In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep We will stand and guard though the angels sleep All through the ages safely keep The Mansions of the Lord

Arlington National Cemetery

7

Americana Sunday

On Sunday, July 1, our liturgies will celebrate our heritage of American music and our nation’s anniversary of declaring independence. The anthems and voluntaries will be pieces by American composers. Fife, trumpet, and drum will again provide the prelude

and accompany our music throughout the liturgy. Invite your friends to this festive worship as we celebrate our American heritage.

New Recording of Andover, Opus 114

A new recording of our magnificent pipe organ is about to be released! The Andover Organ Company contracted Katelyn Emerson as the artist. The second week of May was busy with Katelyn practicing and Andover doing tuning and maintenance. Then, recording happened in the third week of May. Production of the recording, which will include CD, MP3, and video formats,

will be done by Pro Organo and will be nationally distributed. Katelyn is the recent winner of the American Guild of Organists’ prestigious National Young Artists Competition in Organ Playing and is Associate Organist and Choirmaster at Church of the Advent in Boston. This is another great highlight, on a national level, for our music ministry.

You can read more about the Andover Opus 114, by

visiting the Andover Organ Company’s website at

www.andoverorgan.com/organs.new.114.php.

Calling all Instrumentalists!

Summer is the time of year when we focus on featuring our Christ Church instrumentalists during the prelude. Perhaps you’ve just played a recital at the end of the academic year and you have a piece ready to share. Maybe work is slowing down

a little so you have time to dust off the instrument and prepare a piece. This is an opportunity to share your God-given gift and also a chance to minister to the congregation as you help them enter into a time of prayer and worship. I hope you will consider using your talent to bring us into the wonder of God’s musical creation.

To schedule a Sunday to play, please contact Daniel Aune by email (music@christinnerharbor.org) or by calling the church office.

Throughout 2018, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) is inviting musicians, as well as pastors and other worship leaders, to gather at local congregations for practical

workshops on specific topics led by skilled practitioners.

These workshops are for those who serve in congregations of all sizes and contexts, each with their own challenges and opportunities.

Christ Church will be hosting the day of workshops on Saturday, September 29.

Wayne Wold, Director of Music Ministry at First Lutheran Church in Ellicott City and composer of over 200 published works, will be our clinician. Visit alcm.org if you would like to register to attend.

Volunteers will be needed to help with logistics for the day. If you are interested, please contact Daniel Aune by email (music@christinnerharbor.org) or by calling the church office at 410-752-7179.

A special thanks to all that came out to support the Hafenmusik

Concert Series and the wonderful musicians who performed.

We hope to see you all next season!

8

According to: CARLIEN PARLETT Director of Christian Education

Lord, listen to your children praying.

As I looked back on replies that I have written on Facebook, this reply to a post that Pastor Susan Tjornehoj had posted… “It is a sad day for those injured and those who lost loved ones. It is also sad for those who will be judged for the acts of others. May God hear our prayers for all of His children. Lord, listen to your children praying.” Pastor Tjornehoj had written, “Lord, have mercy.”

It came to my mind that Jesus said He came not to change the Law, but to make the Law what it had been meant to be from the beginning. God has known from the very beginning that making good decisions has not always been one of mankind’s strong suits. There was Eve with the serpent, Adam taking a bite from the fruit of the Tree of Life, both Adam and Eve hiding from God in the Garden of Eden, Cain murdering his brother in a fit of jealousy. This was just the beginning. We all know the list continues into this very moment. God gave ten and Jesus trimmed it to two. Man took the ten and turned it into hundreds upon hundreds. The saga continues through the ages and somehow religions seem to know how to use the sacred scriptures and make them say what they want them to say straight through the ages. It must be an interesting concept to think that we are equal or know better than God.

When was the last time you paid attention to the video games your children play or the music to which they are listening? We have succeeded in desensitizing our children to violence with words and actions. The quotes are… “I was just playing.” “It’s just a game.” “The words don’t mean anything.”

The song lyrics from South Pacific are… “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear. You’ve got to be taught from year to year, to hate all the people that everyone hates. You’ve got to be carefully taught” ring loud and clear in this day and time. Maya Angelou said, “Hate has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has never solved one yet.” Truer words have never been spoken.

A hymn was written on June 15, 2016 by Adam M. L. Tice and published by GIA Publications, Inc. Here are the words:

Let speeches fall silent and platitudes cease from hawkers of violence they brand as “peace.” Let people who suffer find places to speak, and holders of power give way to the weak.

Let teachers of hatred, suspicion, and fear, and those who would kill for the views they hold dear, be turned from their ways and disarmed from their wrath to walk a new more compassionate path.

Forgive us the times we neglect to act; forgive our excuses for courage we lacked. God, teach us the wisdom that leads us to grace: your image is found in our enemy’s face.

The time has come for us to be as Jesus and make the laws of human kindness what they were meant to be. Vacation time is a wonderful time to begin teaching ourselves to be who we were created to be. We are to love and treat others with the love, dignity and respect that God has shown to each of us.

Have a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying the gifts that God has given to us. May God’s peace and love be around you, in you, and go out to others from you.

~ Carlien

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!

We are in the planning stage to make sure that we

have an exciting fun-filled VBS during this wonderful opportunity for our children to learn

more about God and faith!

FUN FOR ALL AGES!

6:00 pm Dinner with movie to follow

9

Maryland Legislature Boosts Renewable Energy By Sarah Berger

On April 9, the Maryland General Assembly's annual session ended,

with several pieces of important environmental legislation having been debated and passed. The most significant of these was a bill co-sponsored by Delegate Kumar Barve which sought to protect Maryland's Atlantic and Chesapeake shores from damage by offshore oil-drilling operations. It would hold drilling companies strictly liable for paying the full cost of any damage and cleanup in the event of an oil spill.

According to Kristin Harbeson, Political Director of the Maryland League for Conservation Voters, the goal of the legislation -- which passed by overwhelming margins in both the House and Senate -- is to make Maryland's coast less appetizing as a location for oil companies to do business, compared with states that do not have strict liability laws.

New Cookstoves Make a Difference India ELCA.org/hunger

Your support of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal helps fight hunger, poverty, and disease in many countries around the world, including the United States. The support to the Bihari family, provided through the World Hunger Appeal grant, gave them a saver and healthier way to meet their basic needs in food preparation -- a simple blessing that means so much. You may donate by using the Hunger Appeal envelopes in the kiosk in the Narthex or by forwarding your appropriately marked donation to the Christ Church office. Thank you.

Before connecting with the Tripti project, Puran Bihari and his family of five spent a great deal of time searching for and collecting firewood in their village just so they could cook their daily meals.

It was especially difficult during the rainy season in central India, since rain-drenched logs make starting a fire difficult. Moreover, the smoke the Bihari family’s stove emitted made it hard for them to breathe and left blackened deposits on the walls of their home.

Enter Vishal Jawakar, a field worker for the Tripti project, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh serving families who are food insecure and malnourished. A grant from ELCA World Hunger helps support this work.

Vishal gave the Bihari Family a new smokeless cookstove that runs on biopellets. He taught them about the health and economic benefits of using the cookstove. Using a cookstove is safer for the Bihari family, since it doesn’t produce harmful smoke. The biopellets also make it easier for them to cook year-round.

Now the Bihari family can cook their daily meals in a healthier, more sustainable way.

“We are regularly using this stove for cooking our meals and for all other requirements. We find it better than using fire-wood. It produces minimal smoke once the pellets catch fire, and our food is cooked properly,” says Puran, who adds that his family is grateful to the church for their support. Thanks to your gifts to the ELCA World Hunger, families like the Biharis are looking towards a healthier more food-secure future.

At the same time that offshore oil drilling was limited, renewable energy production, in the form of offshore wind turbines, was given a boost. In the House Economics Matters Committee, a bill was voted down 14-5 which would have pushed offshore wind turbines from a distance of 17 miles to 26 miles offshore, in order to reduce the visibility of their red blinking lights from Ocean City condos. This would have increased the cost so much as to have discouraged investors. "There was an incredible outpouring of support for offshore wind," said Mike Tidwell, founder of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

And because the Maryland Legislation acknowledged that even with increases in renewable energy sources, we are at best slowing climate change, legislation was approved that directs local governments to start planning for sea level rise in building projects funded in part by the state. With a predicted sea level rise of two feet in the next thirty years, new roads and bridges, for example, will be required to be at least two feet above current sea level.

Source: The Environment in Focus, http://wypr.org/post/md-lawmakers-approve-bill-discourage-offshore-drilling

10

Join us for our monthly Adult Fellowship Events. Please note that dates/times are subject to change. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the chair person of the scheduled event.

The Adult Fellowship will pause for the summer!

This is a “SHOUT OUT” to those who planned and led the Adult Fellowship events this year.

Ron Thomas and Lynn Mathieu In September, we toured the Naval Academy and had lunch near the Annapolis dock.

Pat Runyon

In October, we learned about life in German Reformation times (and enjoyed beer and pretzels) by attending Zion Church’s Reformation Fair.

Bob and Marie Garske

In November, we conducted a Thanksgiving Service at the Augsburg Retirement Community.

Gilda Johnson In January, we had dinner in Fells Point and enjoyed the play

“Inherit the Wind” at the Vagabonds Theater.

Adrienne Grant In March we toured the beautiful Fabergé exhibit at the Walter’s Art Museum

and enjoyed a multicultural lunch at the Marketplace.

Collette and Jim Steinmeier We ate lunch together at a new restaurant, before a concert at the church.

Bill Kinsley and Adrienne Grant (again):

We took the train to DC and had a very educational tour of the Library of Congress followed by (you guessed it) lunch.

John and Donna Folkemer

We learned about the heroes (and otherwise) in Baltimore’s history who were buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

THANKS TO ALL organizers and participants for a great year. We can only conduct these events due to members who volunteer to chair them.

What event next year will you chair? (It does not have to include food, but it helps.)

We will plan next year’s events in mid-July. Save your ideas till then or pass them along to Ron Thomas or Lynn Mathieu NOW, while you think of them (rthomas21093@aol.com).

11

A summary of the minutes from the Congregation Council meeting April 10:

• The financial report for February showed a net operating income surplus of over $6,000 for the month and almost $11,000 for the year to date. Total income was almost $9,000 more than budgeted for the month and almost $20,000 more than budgeted for the year to date. Total expenses were almost $19,000 less than budgeted for the month and almost $3,000 less than budgeted for the year to date. Thus far we have collected almost $844,000 and spent $2.65 million on the Capital Campaign.

• The Council approved the Property Committee’s recommendation to install a Wi-Fi system throughout CLC.

• The Property Committee updated the Council about the installation of several privacy shades, the status of the new security system installation, the restoration of the playground in the courtyard, the up-coming evaluation of carpeting conditions throughout the Parish House and the development of a proposal for new signage.

• Alexander Design Services is nearing completion of drawings for modifications in the Coffee Hour room and on the second and third floors needed to permit installation of an elevator. If approved by the Council at the next meeting, the Church Building Committee will review these drawings in the coming weeks and submit them to several contractors to get bids. The proposals then will be submitted to the Council and the Congregation for approval to proceed with the renovations.

• Thirty-three middle schoolers participated in a lock-in March 16 and 17, and 15 high schoolers participated in one the following weekend. Three middle schoolers will attend a leadership retreat at Mar-Lu-Ridge.

• The Council adopted a motion that, during the current calendar year, any donation clearly marked for a specific program or service included in the Congregation’s benevolence budget will be directed to that program or service and will be in addition to the budgeted amount that the Congregation contributes.

• Almost 900 people attended Easter services, including ten who came as a result of receiving the postcards that were distributed in the neighborhood.

• Luke Warner, a student at United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, will begin an intern year with us in August.

• Clare Lentz will conclude her term as interim Social Ministry Director at the end of May.

• The group doing the assessment of the nursery school will be returning this week.

• Pastor Tjornehoj distributed and discussed her proposal for a six-week sabbatical during July and early August. After questions and discussion, the Council voted to support the sabbatical proposal.

• The Council offered comments and recommendations on the draft Statement of Joint Mission and Support between Christ Lutheran Church and Baltimore Outreach Services.

• Volunteers are being sought to be delegates to the Synod Assembly May 31 – June 2.

CLC Property Committee at Work

Committee members: Darren Anderson, Robert Anderson, Sandra Anderson, Charles Busse, Nancy Charitonuk, Clare Cochran, John Geist (Chair), Ron Hickernell, Al Miller, Quentin Parker, Judy Ritterhoff, Mary Smith, Rich Walther and Jim Wilmer.

Project status as of April 12, 2018

WI-FI: Council has approved recommendation from Property, developed by team of Darren Anderson, Michelle Gahagen and Neil Konstantoulas, to install Wi-Fi capability throughout the CLC property. Cost: About $8,000.

COURTYARD: Committee has approved plan developed by member Rich Walther for restoring the courtyard for use by the Nursery School and children living in the shelter. Cost: about $4,500 for mulch and pavers with volunteer labor.

UNDERCROFT: Due to ongoing costly repairs with heat and water in the shelter, with concurrence from Finance Committee, Property team of Darren Anderson and Charlie Busse will be securing proposals for a comprehensive study of the entire undercroft structure and infrastructure.

FLOOR COVERING: Many carpeted areas of the Parish House are experiencing rippling that generates potential hazards. Property team of Robert Anderson and Quentin Parker are seeking proposals from vendors for new floor coverings. 2018 congregational budget includes funding for this purpose.

12

ATTENDANCE TOTAL

FEBRUARY: 1,420

MARCH: 1,730

GIVING TOTAL

FEBRUARY: $108,423.28

MARCH: $84,017.67

The staff at Christ Lutheran Church Nursery School is excited that you are taking the time to discover all we have to offer your child. We would love to meet you and your child personally and give you a tour. Until then, visit our website at clcns.org for more information that will help you learn more about our programs. We look forward to meeting you!

OPEN ENROLLMENT

FOR 2, 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS!

SHELTER DINNER DONATIONS

The Christ Church shelter dinner team will be serving on May 27, June 24, July 22 and August 26.

Sign up for donations will be the Sunday before each of these dates in the coffee hour room. Please stop by before or after any worship service and sign up

to donate an item from the dinner menu.

No donation is too small, and any donation is greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in becoming part of the serving team or simply helping out one Sunday, please contact Lynne Mason (lamason5@hotmail.com) or

Yvonne Wilson michaelyvonne@comcast.net).

Many thanks to the faithful members who donate so regularly. The shelter guests always comment on how much they enjoy the meals from our church.

Christ Caring for People

through People

That’s the motto of Stephen Ministry. The Stephen Minister’s role is to bring God’s love into the lives of people who are going through a difficult time or experiencing a crisis. What do Stephen Ministers do? They listen, care, support, encourage, and pray with and for a person who is hurting. And in the midst of this confidential, one-to-one, caring relationship, God’s healing love comes pouring through.

If someone you know is facing a crisis—large or small—and could benefit from the caring presence of a Stephen Minister, talk to one of our Stephen Leaders: Barbara Kimbrel, Paula Montgomery, and Louis Straker. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to care for you!

13

Health ministry meets quarterly on the 3rd Sunday. Our next meeting is on July 15.

All are welcome to attend!

Please consider participating in any of these ministries that mean so much to those they serve.

Health Ministry Programs

Prayer Chain includes nine people from our congregation who pray for others daily. Vicki Baublitz organizes and communicates any prayer requests with those who are willing to include others in their prayers. Please contact Vicki at baublitz@christinnerharbor.org or call the church office if you would like to be added.

Card Ministry coordinated by Darlene Cole-Hope, who along with four others, sends out cards in joy and sympathy. Vicki Baublitz prepares the weekly list based on the pastoral care report. This list called "Joys and Concerns" is available to the congregation and is located in the entry near the Chapel and office.

Meals for People with special needs are prepared by Hope and Bill Collins based on requests from the pastors. Adrienne Grant and Bill Kinsley have volunteered to assist when needed.

Eucharistic Ministers Parishioners who cannot get to church have someone visit them monthly to share the sacraments through this ministry.

Prayer Shawls Committee is coordinated by Nancy Rice. Our prayer shawl ministry will be working from their homes until further notice. Please bring in quilts or shawls and prayer squares as they are finished. Thanks to all of you for your dedication to these ministries.

Over the years, members have donated slightly used or new medical equipment, such as walkers, canes, crutches, bedside commodes, etc. The Health Ministry now offers this

equipment for you to borrow as needed. For more information contact any member of Health Ministry who wear gold name tags on Sunday mornings.

Support this cause as either a walker and/or a monetary donation to help

raise awareness and provide support to families who are impacted by ALS.

Visit their website for more information at webdc.alsa.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=13244

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

9:00 AM

RASH FIELD, INNER HARBOR

As NAMIWalks celebrates its 16th anniversary, we invite you to take part in NAMI’s largest and most successful mental health awareness and fundraising event in the country.

When you walk with NAMI, you join the movement to raise awareness of mental illness and raise funds for our mission to help individuals and families right here in our region.

Register today and join NAMI Maryland as we improve lives and our communities one step at a time.

Visit their website for more information:

www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=705

The Coalition for Lutheran Advancing in Mission (CLAIM )

CLAIM is hosting its annual Walk-A-Thon on June 9 at Lake Montebello Park. CLAIM is committed to continuing Christ’s mission in metro Baltimore by pooling resources and connecting congregations across our city. For more information or If you are interested in walking/running/biking the loop around the lake with other folks from Christ Lutheran, contact Barbara Kimbrell at barbarakimbrel@verizon.net.

14

BOS NEWS

Recently, two residents in our supportive housing program signed leases for their second year in the program. Jasmyne said, “I am in a much better place than I was a year ago. I am really grateful for your help.” Anita has continued with her job at Fairfield Inn and she really likes meeting people from all different cultures from all over the world as she serves breakfast. Both women have paid their rent regularly, have paid off past due bills to improve their credit and are doing well. BOS GALA THANK YOU

I really want to express my gratitude to the members of Christ Church. So many of you bought tickets for the Gala, donated silent auction items, became personal sponsors and volunteered your help with the Gala. BOS is blessed to have the commitment of Christ Church members.

Thanks to Harold and Mary Graul for providing all of our wine and beer for the evening, which greatly decreases our cost. Gregg Landry produced a wonderful video of two of our culinary graduates which made it possible for us to share the story of BOS with the Gala participants. We really appreciate our Gala sponsors – Dawn Carlson, Charlie and Mary Ann Busse, Bill and Betty Ann Stevenson, Joan Wright, Harold and Mary Graul, Val Harrison, John Holland, Paula Montgomery, Deborah and Wayne Benseler, Ron Thomas and Lynn Mathieu, Rich and Sue Walther, Bill and Marie Garske, Amanda and Chris Wulf and Warren Philipp.

It is really important for us to continue our work to provide a home for the forty women and children living in the basement of Christ Lutheran Church. There are only four homeless shelters in Baltimore City that serve this population.

Karen Adkins Executive Director, Baltimore Outreach Services

BOS GALA 2018

Christ Church Members enjoying a night out and supporting wonderful cause!

15

Marlene & Roy Phillips Celebrating 25 years on May 1, 2018

Brenda & Bradley Perry

Celebrating 30 years on May 21, 2018

Susan & William Campbell Celebrating 50 years on May 30, 2018

_______

Alan & Donna Kohlhafer Celebrating 40 years on June 10

Cecilia Mendoza & Horacio Arrazola

Celebrating 25 years on June 19

Darlene & John Lebo Celebrating 60 years on June 22

Linda & Karl Eser

Celebrating 45 years on June 23 _______

Mary Lynn & Timothy Fisher

Celebrating 30 years on July 3

Sandra & Darren Anderson Celebrating 35 years on July 16

Mary Lou & William Mullin

Celebrating 55 years on July 20

Mary Beth & Robert Day Celebrating 35 years on July 30

_______

Mary & Ronald Hickernell Celebrating 50 years on August 3

Dana Weckesser & Scott Guthrie

Celebrating 40 years on August 19

PASTORAL ACTS “You are a child of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit and

BAPTISMS

Clover Mary Crawford March 11, 2018

Tucker William Goldbach

Sophia Kathryn Kumbhari April 22, 2018

Sophia Elise Friedman

April 29, 2018

Michael Brian Miller Leppo May 6, 2018

Michael Wormald

May 6, 2018

Audrey & Warren Bailey Lorien 100 Antrim Blvd., Apt. #102 Taneytown, MD 21787 Liz Carlstrom Stina & Joe Pillion 22899 Angola Rd. East Lewes, DE 19958 Heather & Jim Eaton 17350 Russett Farm Drive Shrewsbury, PA 17361 Harry Hurst 900 E. Fort Ave., Apt. 837 Baltimore, MD 21230

Jane (JJ) Joseph 4960 Woodward Gardens Columbia, MD 21044 Cameron Newman 4 Thurmont Ct. Apt. 1C Nottingham, MD 21236

16

GIFTS GIVEN TO

BALTIMORE OUTREACH SERVICES

In memory of: By:

Richard Dayton Al & Velma Buls

Martha Maberry B.B. & A. N. Maberry

Ruth Meseke Carl & Carole Brudin

GIFTS GIVEN TO CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

In memory of: By:

Ruth Meseke Natalie Swanson

In honor of: By:

Clover Mary Crawford Jessica Pohto

GIFTS GIVEN TO GENERAL FUND

In honor of: By: Barbara Kimbrel Carol Horsley Michael Brian Miller-Leppo Kim Leppo

In memory of: By: Audrey Johnson Ron Thomas & Lynn Mathieu

Mary Margaret Smith Roger Eichelberger

GIFTS GIVEN TO NURSERY SCHOOL

In honor of: By:

Lucy Thacker Pastor Susan Tjornehoj

GIFTS GIVEN TO ELCA WORLD HUNGER

In honor of: By:

Ada Letke Mark Letke

In memory of: By:

Donald Letke, Sr. Mark Letke

Dennis Jorgenson Tjornehoj Pastor Susan Tjornehoj

Robert Jorgenson Tjornehoj Pastor Susan Tjornehoj

GIFTS GIVEN TO ELCA WORLD MISSIONS

In memory of: By:

John Wallace Ada & Mark Letke Recorded as of: April 17, 2018

Dates open for Altar flower sponsorship can be found in the Narthex.

Costs:

Altar flowers are $100 Chancel flowers are $75

We are improving the playground in the courtyard that serves the children staying in the BOS shelter.

If you are able, we can always use help!

Join us on

Tuesday, May 22 from 3pm-7pm

Saturday, May 26 from 9am - 2pm

The 250 bags of new rubber mulch is scheduled for delivery this Thursday or Friday, and we need to have the

space prepared to receive it

Contact Rich Walther for more information.

17

Fellow Christ Church Members,

To say that I was awed by the plaque presented at the close of Earth Day worship would be an incredible understatement. Plus, I like my new designation as Sheepdog! My acceptance of the plaque is on behalf of the many Christ Church members who have and are serving on the Property and Church Building Committees. It is their time and commitment to restoring the beauty and functionality of the Christ Church plant that we must all applaud.

Again, my sincere thanks, John Geist

Dear Friends,

Becoming the person that God created us to be can be a daunting task at times. Luther was no stranger to this struggle. Throughout his life, he was plagued by bouts of depression, insomnia, and crippling self-doubt. Nevertheless, he discovered grace in the midst of these challenges, changing our understanding of God’s love forever. We are created to love God and one another and in this we become ministers of the Gospel. The process of becoming Christian leaders is not without challenges similar to Luther’s. Those of us who work, pray and teach at United Lutheran Seminary are privileged to engage in this process alongside our students. The relationships we build with them makes us better ministers, better people. That you have chosen to support this seminary links you to the process of becoming that is the bedrock of theological education. Your faithful stewardship is a reflection of your own progression of becoming. A gift is your way of ministering to the Christian leaders who are also part of this timeless process.

Thank you for this gift of $5,000 – this part of yourself that is witness to your procession of becoming.

We are so grateful for your ministry and witness in the world. We are grateful to be on this journey with you.

United Lutheran Seminary Rev. Dr. Angela Zimmann Vice President of Advancement Rev. Dr. Martin Otto Zimmann Director of Congregational and Alumni Relations

Thank You to Elsa Myers for the beautiful rug given to

Christ Lutheran Church In Memory of Luella Klug

Christ Lutheran Church

I would like to personally thank you for your donation to the Bishop’s appeal on behalf of Puerto Rico. Together we will be able to make a difference in our neighbor’s lives. When they are able to rebuild the infrastructure then we can begin helping them rebuild their homes, schools and communities so that they can get on with living their lives.

Muchas Gracias! Sun Dee Koons

Delaware-Maryland Synod Dear Partners in Ministry at Christ Lutheran Church,

I write to you today to say a sincere Thank You! Thank you for hearing God’s call to share the word of God and care for those in your congregation, neighborhood and your community. Thank you for growing faithful leaders and stewards to help us as a church move forward into God’s mission. Thank you for working together in connection with other congregations, our synod and the greater church to do God’s work, for we are Called Forward Together!

I want to specifically thank you for your gifts of Mission Support in 2017. Through your generosity we live out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ in so many ways. Your 2017 mission support when combined with our other congregations and generous givers allows us to live our God’s mission locally, nationally, and globally. It makes my heart swell with thanksgiving and joy! Please continue to be generous. We make such a difference when we partner together and give for the greater glory of God.

Grateful to be in partnership, Karen Johnson Fretschmann, Associate for Generosity Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA

Dear Christ Lutheran Church The Church is such a major part of our lives from beginning to end and I am so thankful for my church. Thank you, Darlene Moss Ashley and Jasmine Moss

18

CLC was in attendance at not one, but two March for Our Lives events, in Washington DC and Downtown Baltimore.

FREE TAI CHI CLASSES

BEGINNING WEDNESDAYS

8:30 am - 9:30 am

Very little in this life is free, but why not try Tai Chi at no cost? Come for an hour of Tai Chi, Our neighbor, Bill Krulak, is offering an introductory class in the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi. Come experience this ancient discipline that offers the benefits of peace, tranquility, flexibility, and balance.

DEVOTIONS FOR MAY

May 1 John 14:8-14 May 2 John 14:18-31 May 3 Psalm 98 May 4 Acts 10:34-43 May 5 Deuteronomy 32:44-47 May 6 John 15:9-17 May 7 Psalm 93 May 8 1 Timothy 6:13-16 May 9 Deuteronomy 11:18-21 May 10 Luke 24:44-53 May 11 Psalm 47 May 12 John 16:4-11 May 13 John 17:6-19 May 14 Luke 6:12-16 May 15 Psalm 115 May 16 John 16:16-24 May 17 Psalm 33:12-22 May 18 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 May 19 Romans 8:14-17, 22-27 May 20 John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 May 21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b May 22 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 May 23 Ezekiel 37:1-14 May 24 Psalm 29 May 25 Romans 8:9-11 May 26 John 15:18-20, 26-27 May 27 John 3:1-17 May 28 Psalm 20 May 29 1 Corinthians 2:1-10 May 30 Numbers 6:22-27

DEVOTIONS FOR JUNE

June 1 Psalm 81:1-10 June 2 Leviticus 24:5-9 June 3 Mark 2:23-3:6 June 4 Psalm 78:1-4, 52-72 June 5 Acts 15:1-5, 22-35 June 6 John 5:1-18 June 7 Psalm 130 June 8 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 June 9 Genesis 2:4b-14 June 10 Mark 3:20-35 June 11 Acts 11:9-30, 13:1-3 June 12 Psalm 74 June 13 Luke 11:14-28 June 14 Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 June 15 Hebrews 11:4-7 June 16 Mark 4:1-20 June 17 Mark 4:26-34 June 18 Psalm 52 June 19 Revelation 21:22-22:5 June 20 Luke 6:43-45 June 21 Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 June 22 Acts 21:1-16 June 23 Luke k21:L25-38 June 24 Mark 4:35-41 June 25 Luke 1:57-67 [68-80] June 26 Psalm 65 June 27 Mark 6:45-52 June 28 Psalm 30 June 29 John 21:15-19 June 30 Lamentations 2:18-22

19

Saints Stephen & James Evangelical Lutheran Church to close the congregation and all its services on

Pentecost Sunday, May 20

10:00 am

On that day the sacred history of the congregation will be celebrated at the 10:00 am Holy Communion Service. The church edifice will be deconsecrated and everyone will be invited to a celebratory reception in the Parish Hall following the service. After the reception, the doors of Saints Stephen & James will be locked. Please keep the people of Saints Stephen and James in your prayers as they simultaneously grieve the loss of their worship home and give thanks for the gift of more than 160 years of ministry. We praise God for the countless lives who have been touched by God’s grace through Saints Stephen and James!

Empty the coin jars, check under the couch cushions and bring your change to church! All money collected will be donated to the ELCA World Hunger program.

SUNDAY, MAY 20

Help us make a loud noise to fight hunger!

Join Christ Lutheran Church as we celebrate Pride Weekend by participating in the

Pride Parade

Saturday, June 16 1:00 pm

The parade route will start at North Charles Street at 33rd Street and will finish on North Charles Street and 23rd Street. This is the fourth year that Christ Church has participated in this event. Last year, the Faith Community of Baltimore with Pride was the largest single unit of people in the parade with 27 communities of Faith and a total of over 300 people.

All interested parties are encouraged to contact Mark Letke by email at markgletke@gmail.com.

Other events of interest

June 7 - Ecumenical service at St. Ignatius

June 12 - Celebration at Temple Oheb Shalom

Thank you all for your interest and may

God's peace be with you!

20

Christ Lutheran Church 701 S. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21230-3835 Phone: 410-752-7179 ♦ Fax: 410-752-7881

www.christinnerharbor.org

THE CHRIST CHURCH STAFF

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please call the staff at the church office at 410-752-7179 or email them.

Susan E. Tjornehoj, M.Div., Pastor ......................................................... pr.tjornehoj@christinnerharbor.org

Patrick Ballard, M.Div, Associate Pastor ................................................... pr.ballard@christinnerharbor.org

Carlien Parlett, MCM, MREd, Christian Education Director .........................carlien@christinnerharbor.org

Daniel Aune, D.M.A., Director of Music ......................................................... music@christinnerharbor.org

Johnnie Fries, Parish Administrator .................................................................. jfries@christinnerharbor.org

Vicki Baublitz, Administrative Assistant ......................................................baublitz@christinnerharbor.org

Bruce Kirby, Interim Business Manager .................................................. accounting@christinnerharbor.org

Michelle Gahagen, Systems Manager ....................................................... mgahagen@christinnerharbor.org

Rebecca Lindsey, Lead Contemp. Musician ....................................................rebecca.lindsey2@gmail.com

Annie Lowe, Nursery School Director .............................................................. annie@christinnerharbor.org

Karen Adkins, Ph.D., Executive Director, BOS ............................................ adkins@baltimoreoutreach.org

John R. Sabatelli, Pastor Emeritus

Robert Brown, Sexton

Andrew Miller, Jr., Sexton

Pr. Patrick Ballard Bill Collins

Jennifer Doonan John Folkemer, Secretary

Adrienne Grant Jake Hartlove, Youth

Bruce Kirby, Treasurer

Ben Lentz Bill Miller

Paula Montgomery, Vice President Patrick Moulds

Carl Reavis Ernie Reitz

Nancy Rice Tim Stevens

Natalie Swanson Pr. Susan Tjornehoj, President

Susan Walther Gary Wells

Cathy Wood-Rupert

DON’T FORGET...

• Parking is FREE OF CHARGE with stamped ticket. You will need to bring your ticket into church and have it stamped on the “Lock Your Car” side.

• As of September 24, parking will no longer be available in the Hugh Street lot. Pink parking tags will no longer be issued.

Parking for Sunday and Wednesday services and other

festivals in the Charles Light Garage

(entrance on Lee Street)