WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Message from Pastor · Marge Robison 07/15 Ronnie Wachsmann 07/17 Glenace...
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Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 www.lordoflifeaustin.org Hours Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm July 2019 Edition Volume No. 0719 God’s Work, Our Hands Inside this issue: WHAT WOULD YOU DO? I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail! “What Would You Do?” is an American television program. Using hidden cameras, host John Quinones observes and comments on how ordinary people behave when they are confronted with dilemmas that require them either to take action or to walk by and mind their own business. Various scenarios are created that force people to make split-second – and often surprising – decisions, and variations of the situation (such as changing the genders, races, or clothing of the people involved) are often featured to see if different reactions are elicited. In this light, a recent occurrence at Lord of Life Lutheran Church is worth sharing. Vacation Bible School at LOLLC was being planned months prior to the June 24 th beginning. Things were set. The program had been selected and staff had been recruited. Publicity announcing the theme of the program had been shared: website announcement, door hangers spread throughout local neighborhoods, and even the outdoor banner. Materials for the program had been delivered and the final countdown to VBS was well on the way. And then, on Monday, June 10, multi-media was buzzing with the headlines, “Africa- Themed Vacation Bible School Plan Racially Insensitive?” Articles listed several examples of thoughts, ideas, and “teaching moments” that just should not be. The company responsible for the program responded that they were making some changes (without ever acknowledging they were wrong) and offering suggestions on how to get around the offensive portions. What would you do? Hundreds of hours had gone into the planning. Monies had been spent. Everything was in place. The co-directors of our VBS never hesitated, never wavered. They immediately made the decision that we would find another program. They contacted other churches, asking which program they were using. They even went and visited the VBS director at another church to get an overview of what they were using and had an opportunity to “scope it out”. Exactly two weeks prior to our VBS, they went back to the drawing board and re -planned our current program with a totally new theme and new materials. In meeting with them, they shared the basis for their decision (which for them was no decision at all). Our values, our teachings, who we are and what we are about – well, it was a no-brainer! What a witness! That which we believe, know, confess and profess about God’s love known to us through Jesus and reinforced by the presence, power, and leading of the Holy Spirit empowers us to step out into situations which profess otherwise. I suggest we observe and encounter opportunities on a daily basis that offer us the chance to speak out against behaviors that run counter to our under-standing of what it means to be a Christian. To do so can be costly. It can be unpopular. And it certainly seems to be uncomfortable. What would you do? In the name of Jesus, Pr. Skip Message from Pastor 1 Global Initiatives 2 Prayer List 2 Sunday Readings 2 Baptisms 2 God’s Generosity 2 Summer Worship 2 Birthdays/Anniversaries 2 Members Expectations 3 Recycling Program 3 Education News 4 Kindred Sisters 5 Summer of Svc - June Recap 6 Summer of Svc - July Drive 6 Synod Assembly Summary 7 Simply Giving 8 Outdoor Worship/Picnic Pics 8 VBS Pics 9 Upcoming Events 10 Independence Day 10 Office Closed 10 Prayer & Healing Service 10 Day Camp 11 Pride Festival & Parade 11 Council Minutes 12 Save the Dates 12 Sunday Worship Attendance 12 Worship Leaders 13 Calendar 14
Transcript of WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Message from Pastor · Marge Robison 07/15 Ronnie Wachsmann 07/17 Glenace...
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 www.lordoflifeaustin.org Hours Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm
July 2019 Edition Volume No. 0719
God’s Work, Our Hands
Inside this issue: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail! “What Would You Do?” is an American television program. Using hidden
cameras, host John Quinones observes and comments on how ordinary people behave when they are confronted with dilemmas that require them either to take action or to walk by and mind their own business. Various scenarios are created that force people to make split-second – and often surprising – decisions, and variations of the situation (such as changing the genders, races, or clothing of the people involved) are often featured to see if different reactions are elicited. In this light, a recent occurrence at Lord of Life Lutheran Church is worth sharing. Vacation Bible School at LOLLC was being planned months prior to the June 24th beginning. Things were set. The program had been selected and staff had been recruited. Publicity announcing the theme of the program had been shared: website announcement, door hangers spread throughout local neighborhoods, and even the outdoor banner. Materials for the program had been delivered and the final countdown to VBS was well on the way. And then, on Monday, June 10, multi-media was buzzing with the headlines, “Africa-Themed Vacation Bible School Plan Racially Insensitive?” Articles listed several examples of thoughts, ideas, and “teaching moments” that just should not be. The company responsible for the program responded that they were making some changes (without ever acknowledging they were wrong) and offering suggestions on how to get around the offensive portions. What would you do? Hundreds of hours had gone into the planning. Monies had been spent. Everything was in place. The co-directors of our VBS never hesitated, never wavered. They immediately made the decision that we would find another program. They contacted other churches, asking which program they were
using. They even went and visited the VBS director at another church to get an overview of what they were using and had an opportunity to “scope it out”. Exactly two weeks prior to our VBS, they went back to the drawing board and re-planned our current program with a totally new theme and new materials. In meeting with them, they shared the basis for their decision (which for them was no decision at all). Our values, our teachings, who we are and what we are about – well, it was a no-brainer! What a witness! That which we believe, know, confess and profess about God’s love known to us through Jesus and reinforced by the presence, power, and leading of the Holy Spirit empowers us to step out into situations which profess otherwise. I suggest we observe and encounter opportunities on a daily basis that offer us the chance to speak out against behaviors that run counter to our under-standing of what it means to be a Christian. To do so can be costly. It can be unpopular. And it certainly seems to be uncomfortable. What would you do? In the name of Jesus, Pr. Skip
Message from Pastor 1
Global Initiatives 2
Prayer List 2
Sunday Readings 2
Baptisms 2
God’s Generosity 2
Summer Worship 2
Birthdays/Anniversaries 2
Members Expectations 3
Recycling Program 3
Education News 4
Kindred Sisters 5
Summer of Svc - June Recap 6
Summer of Svc - July Drive 6
Synod Assembly Summary 7
Simply Giving 8
Outdoor Worship/Picnic Pics 8
VBS Pics 9
Upcoming Events 10
Independence Day 10
Office Closed 10
Prayer & Healing Service 10
Day Camp 11
Pride Festival & Parade 11
Council Minutes 12
Save the Dates 12
Sunday Worship Attendance 12
Worship Leaders 13
Calendar 14
Birthdays: Donna Hagens 07/03 Brynn Waggoner 07/03
Kristoffer Reidy 07/06 Juan Vargas 07/08 Janie Duarte 07/09 TJ Wolski 07/11 Austin Eun 07/12 Mindy Penland 07/12 Megan Wiruscheske 07/12 Nell Pennington 07/13 Marge Robison 07/15 Ronnie Wachsmann 07/17 Glenace Klinker 07/18 Dee Manewal 07/21 Michael Kamensky 07/24 Viki Parsons 07/27
PRAYER LIST
Ilamay Bartholomew,
Herman Haenel, Peggy Suggs, Kira Niedert,
Fred & Mycah Klinker, Salem Lutheran Church Yates Crawford Velebil
Barbara Dailey Edith Swartz Henry McCoy Amy Darnell
Pam Kamensky James Fraser Olga Haenel
Lilly (RRISD) & Alexis (daughter) Monica Wolf Marlyne Fink Jennifer Rosas Bonnie Mathre
SUNDAY READINGS
July 7 Isaiah 66:10-14 Psalm 66:1-9 Galatians 6:1-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 July 14 Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Psalm 25:1-10 Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37 July 21 Genesis 18:1-10a Psalm 15 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 July 28 Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 138 Colossians 2:6-19 Luke 11:1-13
GLOBAL INITIATIVES
www.elca.org/global-links Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA, we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is available on our website under “Giving”, so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the world for Christ.
Anniversaries: Lee & Mindy Penland 07/11 Brad & Denise Sheehan 07/11 John & Janie Duarte 07/17 Bill & Diane Saegert 07/21 George & Marsett Freitag 07/22 Michael & Pam Kamensky 07/23 Fred & Karen Grampp 07/28
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RESPONDING TO GOD’S GENEROSITY
Giving freely of what has been freely given to us
Unconditional LOVE, FORGIVENESS, ALL that WE HAVE
LOVE GOD, LOVE ONE ANOTHER and OURSELVES
FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER and OURSELVES
GIVE GENEROUSLY from our BLESSINGS
Time Talent Treasure OUT OF THANKS for each.
GIVE UNTIL YOU FEEL GOOD
BAPTISM FESTIVALS
Anyone who has not been baptized is invited to come and “wade in the waters” of eternal life. Please contact Pr. Skip for a pre-baptism appointment. The Baptism Festivals for 2019 are:
Holy Cross Day, September 15 All Saints’ Day, November 3
Contact Pr. Skip as soon as possible concerning which day works best for you.
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REMEMBER
WE RECYCLE AT LOLLC
Please help us comply with the City of Austin’s recycling program and recycle every qualifying item you can when you are at church. There are recycle containers in every building, along with a helpful poster that shows what is recyclable. We also have larger recycle dumpster on property.
REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE
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Weeknight Christian Education Opportunities
Are On Break For Summer
TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
THURSDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP
Sunday Summer Adult Education Class Continues on Sundays, from 8:15 - 9:15 am
Join us in the café as we venture into the book,
Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.
Author, Ted Bolsinger, guides churches through uncharted territory. He offers insight and tools for reimagining what effective leadership
looks like in our rapidly changing world.
Please sign up in the Welcome Center if you would like to join us.
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KINDRED SISTERS
Kindred Sisters will NOT meet in July
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
Look forward to our OUT-TO-LUNCH Fellowship
on Tuesday, August 6th.
Marge Kretschmar opened our Tuesday, June 4th,
meeting with discussion of the book “From AGE-
ING to SAGE-ING”, a revolutionary approach to
growing older. Hope for further use and discussion.
We were then challenged by our program presenter,
Laura Bell. Her love of books and joy of reading
surely introduced us to “The Adventure of Reading
and the Life-Changing Experience of Books.” Laura
discussed her personal book club experiences, why to
join a book club, how to start a book club, where to
search for book ideas and most important, getting
the book! And FREE is the best way…available
through our local libraries. Electronically—All you
need is your library card and app! Yes, we all left
inspired, challenged, and ready to read a book this
SUMMER after enjoying Rea Wiruscheske’s famous
RUM CAKE dessert. Thank you.
NEW KINDRED SISTERS 2019 FALL PROGRAM,
DEVOTION, & HOSTESS SIGN-UP Sheets on KS
Bulletin Board. Let’s Fill it up FAST … Appreciate
any ideas and suggestions. THANKS!
Questions: Glenace Klinker 512-626-5048 or
LOLLC LADIES – KINDRED SISTERS
Monthly Meeting – 1st Tuesday Morning
Upcoming Opportunities
NO MEETING IN JULY
Happy JULY 4th
Next Kindred Sisters Meeting:
AUGUST 6th OUT TO LUNCH
Place: TBA
Please Sign Up on the 2019 Chart for:
Program—Devotion—Dessert Hostess
Bring your saved cancelled postage stamps For LWR Stamporee Box
Questions: Glenace Klinker – 512-626-5048
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The Southwest Texas Synod assembly was held May 31-June 2 in Corpus Christi. Pastor Skip, Randy Anderson, and Randi
Ladolcetta attended as voting members, Shannon Anderson attended as a registered visitor. This year the synod focused
learning together. We dwelled in Luke 24:13-35, and we would encourage you all read the passage. The Keynote Speaker was
Deacon Peggy Hahn, the Executive Director for LEAD. Peggy’s message, which was shared with all of the synod, was in
alignment with the work our Missional River team has been doing. One of Deacon Peggy’s messages was about shifting our
mindset: from Judger to Learner.
As our church has shifted to a spirit lead council, and being more intentional in working within our neighborhood, shifting our
perspective will help us be open to where God is guiding us. Deacon Peggy also spoke of how church is shifting in America, and
using the above learner mindset can help us view our work with our community and adapt to the changes. Peggy encouraged
everyone in the room to think about being intentionally welcoming to our church neighborhoods.
Randi Ladolcetta attended a workshop called Where are the Volunteers? The workshop focused on better ways to engage the
congregation and find members to assist while not overwhelming the same people. Our church leaders can look forward to
hearing more about this at the next Quarterly Team Meeting.
Randy Anderson attended the ABC’s of immigration workshop. It offered a timeline of immigration law from birth of our
nation to contemporary times relayed by a panel comprised of an ICE employee, LIRS representative and an immigration
attorney.
Randy and Shannon Anderson attended a workshop called Zen practice for Lutheran Christians. The workshop explored how
Zen practice (meditation) can inform and enrich the life and faith for Lutheran Christians including the relationship between
salvation and sacraments through Zen stories and meditation practice.
At the assembly, a resolution on engagement in the Holy Land was passed. The resolution resolved, that the Southwestern
Texas Synod Assembly memorialize the 2019 Churchwide Assembly to encourage this church’s members, congregations, synods,
churchwide office including the Office of the Presiding Bishop to expand our relationships and dialogue beyond accompaniment
with companion churches to engagement with those non-church groups and individuals in the Holy Land, whose perspective we
may not yet understand, including mainstream Jewish Israelis and Muslims “to undo the boundary of strangeness or suspicion
between us” while at the same time continuing to affirm our unique relationship with and accompaniment of Palestinian
Christians and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).
We highly encourage any who interested to pray about attending Synod assembly in New Braunfels, on June 5-7, 2020. It was
a great opportunity to learn more about what God is doing in our Synod, as well as across the ELCA.
Judger Mindset Learner Mindset
Reactive & automatic Responsive & thoughtful
Critical Appreciate
More close-minded More open-minded
Having the answers Values not knowing
Own point of view only Takes multiple perspectives
Blame Oriented Responsibility oriented
Problem focused Solution focused
Defends assumptions Questions assumptions
Primary mood: Protective/fearful Primary mood: Curious
Through Thrivent’s Simply Giving Program, your offering payments are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account. You determine the frequency of your automatic donation – weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly – the
option is yours. Remember, if you wish to update your giving amount for 2019 or enroll as a new participant in the Simply Giving Program, you must complete a new form in advance to make the changes or be added to the program. Copies of the form are in the literature rack in the Welcome Center, or you may contact Kelley in the office to get a form. Thanks!
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JULY July 4 Independence Day / Office Closed July 8-12 Day Camp July 21 Prayer & Healing Service AUGUST Aug 6 Kindred Sisters Aug 10 Pride Festival & Parade
Aug 15 RRISD - School Starts Aug 25 Celebration Sunday / 2 services return SEPTEMBER Sep 2 Labor Day / Office Closed Sep 3 Kindred Sisters Sep 8 Friends/Family Sunday Sep 6 LifeLine Screening Event
Just a reminder that the church office is closed on Thursday, July 4th for the holiday.
We hope that you all have a blessed time with your families. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
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Use this link to register for Day Camp from our website... http://www.lordoflifeaustin.org/event-items/lutherhill-day-camp-2019/
https://forms.gle/j3XBBwecWucNfRmz8
SAVE-THE-DATES
Aug 6 Kindred Sisters Aug 10 Pride Parade Aug 15 RRISD-1st Day of School Aug 25 Celebration Sunday Sep 2 Labor Day / Office Closed Sep 3 Kindred Sisters Sep 8 Friends/Family Sunday
LORD OF LIFE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 20, 2019 6:30pm
Attendees:
President Carol Gaskamp, Members Dave Smith, Brynn Waggoner, Randy Anderson, Pastor Wachsmann.
Call to Order and Opening Prayer offered by Gaskamp at 6:24.
6:25 Devotion offered by Smith with focus on uncharted territory. God’s plan not always apparent, path
can be unlit, Holy Spirit will be our guide, don’t always know where we are going. See Joshua’s
calling to lead the people of Israel. Discussion ensues.
6:49 Gaskamp brings forth approval of May Council Meeting Minutes. Approved by consensus.
6:50 Pastor Wachsmann brings forth Dwelling in The Word. Ref: Luke 19:1-10, Waggoner reads. Smith
reads. Discussion follows on the meanings of Zacchaeus’ actions.
7:06 Gaskamp brings forth Discerning Prayer. Focus is on strategic plan.
7:10 Council expresses appreciation to Brynn Waggoner and Randi Ladolcetta for their efforts associated
with switching VBS program materials that were culturally inappropriate.
Old Business
7:20 Gaskamp brings forth discussion on KDO issues. Action item for July – ask KDO for update on
their tax reporting status after their consultation with their attorneys.
7:45 Gaskamp brings forth Gay Pride Parade and Festival registration discussion. No task force needed,
sign-up sheet for volunteers will be available. Booth will be staffed from 11AM-6PM. Eight RIC
churches to participate. Will need about 7-8 “organizers” for various tasks. Tee shirt purchases to be
set up on PayPal.
New Business
7:52 Gaskamp brings forth new business. Open carry/concealed carry issue. Discussion ensues. No
action taken. To be revisited and position considered after research is conducted.
8:03 Gaskamp brings forth report to congregation on happenings at Synod assembly. Defer to written
report to be prepared for Lifelines.
8:10 Gaskamp brings forth notification from Nick and Barb Ferriola that they no longer consider
themselves as members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Council votes to grant their release from
membership. Anderson will confirm this action to them in writing.
8:16 Smith expresses concerns about congregational reaction involving ways to continue welcoming
members of the LGBTQ community.
8:32 Closing prayer offered by Waggoner.
8:33 Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Randall W. Anderson, Secretary
Sunday Worship Attendance
06/02/2019 44 06/09/2019 83
06/16/2019 70
06/23/2019 79
06/30/2019 94
Weekly Average: 74
YTD Total 2,293
YTD Weekly Avg 81
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Worship Leaders for July 2019
July 7, 2019 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: Kira Niedert
Lector: Carol Alessi Media Assistant: George Freitag
Communion Assistant:
Ushers: “Pick-Up” as available
Altar Guild: Peggy Ellwein Acolyte:
Tellers: Pam Campbell & Mindy Penland Cantor: (1)
Flowers: John & Janie Duarte, celebrating 20th anniversary Children’s Time: Day Camp Counselors
July 14 2019 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Greg Gaskamp Asst Minister: John Paul Crawford
Lector: Tony Lopez Media Assistant: Luke Smith
Communion Assistant: David Ladolcetta
Ushers: “Pick-Up” as available
Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell Acolyte:
Tellers: Pam Campbell & Carol Gaskamp Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Marge Robison, celebrating Phil & Marge’s birthdays Children’s Time: John Paul Crawford
July 21, 2019 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: Dick Fink
Lector: Marge Kretschmar Media Assistant: Barb Haskins
Communion Assistant:
Ushers: “Pick-Up” as available
Altar Guild: Peggy Ellwein Acolyte: Malcolm Lopez
Tellers: Pam Campbell & Carol Gaskamp Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Kamensky Family, celebrating Mike’s birthday Children’s Time: Felicia Wachsmann
July 28, 2019 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: Oscar Lopez
Lector: Nell Pennington Media Assistant: Dick Fink
Communion Assistant: David Ladolcetta
Ushers: “Pick-Up” as available
Altar Guild: Marge Kretschmar Acolyte: Malcolm Lopez
Tellers: Pam Campbell & Carol Gaskamp Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Fred & Karen Grampp, celebrating 57th anniversary Children’s Time: Dave Smith
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Ju ly 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
7p Troop 150 Mtg
2
3
6:30p Pack 1501-
Den 3 Mtg
4 Independence Day
Office Closed
5
6
7 8:15a Adult Study
9:30a Summer Worship
6p Troop 150 Cmt Mtg
8
9a Day Camp
7p Finance Mtg
7p Troop 150 Mtg
9
9a Day Camp
7p Pack 1501 Cmt
Mtg
10
9a Day Camp
11
9a Day Camp
12
9a Day Camp
13
14 8:15a Adult Study
9:30a Summer Worship
12:30p Worship Mtg
15
6:30p Evang &
Outreach Mtg
7p Troop 150 Mtg
16
17
6:30p Pack 1501-
Den 3 Mtg
18
6:30p Council Mtg
19
20
21 8:15a Adult Study
9:30a Summer Worship
12:30p Prayer &
Healing Svc
22
7p Troop 150 Mtg
23
24
25
26
27
28 8:15a Adult Study
9:30a Summer Worship
10:45a Qtrly Ministry
Team Mtg
29
7p Troop 150 Mtg
30
31
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