A Monthly Publication of
IN THIS ISSUE
• Easter Sunrise Service
• All the lonely people
• At home therapy
• Letter to Vicar Gladden
• March School news
• Church happenings
• Orphan Grain Train
• St. James Scouts
• Altar flowers
• Just for kids
• Sponsors
Rev. Douglas Jones Pastor
Rev. John Rumsey Pastor Emeritus
Vicar Mike Bonner
Rigo Gonzalez Hispanic Vicar
Matt & Beth Baham Youth Ministry
Barbara Eide Parish Ministry Assistant
Brenda Rollison School Director
Deborah Harvill-Ash Church Secretary
Church: 619.424.6166 School: 619.423.8648 Fax: 619.424.5129 Hispanic: 619.424.6108 A Congregation of
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Volume 29 ●●●● Number 3
March 2010
AT IMPERIAL BEACH PIER PLAZA PARK
Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 7:00 a.m.
This is St. James’ Easter gift to the IB Community. Come to the beach and
celebrate the Joy of Easter with local friends and family. At sunrise, God
surrounds His worshippers with His most beautiful, living cathedral where
sky and sea meet the surf. Chairs and coffee provided.
Lenten, Passion Week and Easter Schedule
Wednesday, March 3, 6:00 p.m. Dinner and 7:00 p.m. Worship
Wednesday, March 10, 6:00 p.m. Dinner and 7:00 p.m. Worship
Wednesday, March 17, 6:00 p.m. Dinner and 7:00 p.m. Worship
Wednesday, March 24, 6:00 p.m. Dinner and 7:00 p.m. Worship
Palm Sunday, March 28, 8:00 a.m., 9:30 Spanish; 11:00 a.m.
Maundy Thur. April 1, Worship at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, April 2, Worship at 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 7:00 a.m. Sunrise at IB Pier, 8:30 Breakfast at St.
James, 10:00 a.m. Worship at St. James, 12:00 p.m. Easter
Egg Hunt for community children in church yard
Page 2
March 2010
As people get older, losses and other changes in their lives can leave them
feeling lonely. Some become isolated and depressed. Late last year the world
was captivated by the story of a Belgian man, Rom Houben. He had been a Me-
chanical Engineering student when he was involved in a tragic automotive ac-
cident that left him in a vegetative state. Doctors believed that Rom was in a
coma when in fact he was actually conscious, but unable to speak or move. For
twenty-three years he tried continually to alert his doctors about the fact that
he was awake but sadly, he was unable to make a sound. Governments
changed, technology advanced and the years and decades slipped away.
Then one day Dr. Steven Laureys of the coma science group at Liège University
in Belgium performed a tomography brain scan on Rom Houben. He discovered that
Rom’s cerebrum was functioning normally. It was true. For twenty-three years Rom
lay helpless, unable to speak a word or move but he remained alert inside. He heard
what doctors and nurses, and friends and family said about him, but he could not
respond. As the lonely years sulked along, he noticed fewer and fewer friends came
to visit until gradually none came at all. Rom didn’t blame them. The doctors had all
diagnosed him as a vegetable.
After reading Rom Houben’s story, I wondered how horribly lonely he must
have felt as one year followed another and he couldn’t communicate with anyone.
“What Bible passage,” I asked myself, “could we as Christians share with Rom
Houben or any other of the lonely people who live around us?” Though they are
alert, they spend their days alone and with no one with whom they talk. Many of
these forgotten people are our seniors.
As a child of the sixties, I remember the melancholy Beatles’ song, Eleanor
Rigby. The second stanza in particular would weigh heavy on my heart when I
would hear it:
Eleanor Rigby, died in the church and was buried along with her name,
Nobody came.
Father Mckenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave,
No one was saved.
All the lonely people,
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people,
Where do they all belong?
A Scripture we might be able to share with a lonely person is "Out of the depths I cry
to You, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my
pleas for mercy!" (Psalm 130:1-2). And, certainly we wouldn’t want to forget St.
Paul’s encouraging words: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor an-
gels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love
All the Lonely People
March 2010
Page 3
of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:38-39).
Though it appeared that Eleanor Rigby died alone, she really would not have
been alone. She would have heard in church the words of our risen Lord who said
to His people: "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew
28:20b), and again, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews
13:5b).
We can draw strength from these words of Scripture when we experience the
lonely times of life. We know our Lord is close at our side and would never think
of leaving us. But we too are the voice, hands and arms of Christ. How encouraging
it is for a lonely senior or any lonely person to hear an encouraging word, to feel a
gentle squeeze on the arm or receive a hug. It can help break their sense of loneli-
ness and give a sense of hope for another day. We often don’t do well alone. After
all, our original mother, Eve, had her worst day when she walked in the Garden
alone and was tempted to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who died at the hands of the Na-
zis, wrote, “Beware of being alone. Into the community you were called, the call
was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross,
you struggle, you pray. If you scorn the fellowship of brothers and sisters, you re-
ject the call of Jesus Christ, and thus your solitude can only be hurtful to you.”
In the Beatle’s song, it asks, “All the lonely people, where do they all belong?” I
could answer that question then as well as I can answer it now. We are very famil-
iar with the answer in the LWML: They belong with their dear Savior, Who loved
them so much that He gave His life for them; Who went to the cross to be forsaken
so they should never be forsaken, and Who rose again that they, as we, may wor-
ship Him together in this life and with Him forever beyond the grave.
Pastor Douglas Jones: originally presented as a devotion at the February 2010
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Meeting by Sandy Jones
To assist homebound older adults (60+) who feel stuck in this rut, the County of
San Diego Health & Human Services Agency has recently contracted with the Positive Solutions Program of the Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC). The program uses an evidence-based model called PEARLS (Program to Encourage Ac-tive, Rewarding LiveS) from the University of Washington that provides short-term, in-home behavioral therapy from trained counselors to homebound older adults (60+). Referrals or questions can be sent to UPAC Positive Solutions Pro-gram Manager, Pei-Chen Emily Wu, Psy.D., at (619) 238-1783, ext. 300, or fax at (619) 238-1837
AT-HOME THERAPY TO BEAT THE BLUES
Page 4
March 2010
(From a letter sent February 4, 2010)
Vicar Dietrick Gladden
St. Paul Lutheran Church
1133 Joslyn Road,
Pontiac, MI 48340
Dear Vicar Gladden,
The Rev. and Mrs. John Rumsey of St. James told us about your being
installed as a vicar. We at St. James celebrate with you. Your dedication to
the Gospel certainly is a strong testimony to the work of Christ in your life.
One of the best Bible verses for such an occasion is 2 Timothy 4:1: “I charge
you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living
and the dead and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word; be
ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with com-
plete patience and teaching.”
Our paramount duty as ministers of the Gospel is to preach the Word,
God’s divine Word. Because it isn’t our fine educations, our gifts or synodi-
cal programs that will build the church, but Christ’s Word. The Word we
preach is the Word of Sacred Scripture that has been breathed forth from
the very mouth of the living God Himself. It is a powerful Word that will
make you and your listeners wise unto salvation. That is what it did for
Timothy. He was saved by that powerful, Christ-saving, Word of the Gospel.
The source of all our teaching and activity is this very Word of God. It is
for preaching and teaching and straightening people out, and for convincing
people and for whatever else you need to do to serve God’s people. The
Word “preach” here does not just mean preparing a Sunday sermon. It
means to preach and teach and everything in ministry to get the Word out:
confirmation, baptism, counseling or door to door evangelism, etc. It is the
most rewarding and glorious calling in the world.
God’s blessing to you and your wife, Becky, Pastor Douglas Jones
(Becky, Vicar Gladden’s wife, is the daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Rumsey)
Vicar Gladden Installed at St. Paul’s, Pontiac, MI
March 2010
By Brenda Rollison, School Director
Page 5
February was a busy month and it flew right on by. We had a
great time at our Valentine's party. It was fun for the children, staff, and myself to go to I.B. Senior Center to give homemade
Valentine Cards and sing for our adoptive grandparents at I.B. Senior Center. Since February is Heart Month we invited our seniors to join in a song aerobics with us 'Head, Shoulders make a Heart'. Great Outreach for us!
No School Teachers' Professional Growth Day on Friday, March 5th.
March Tuesday, the 2nd celebrating Dr. Seuss birthday, wear your favorite hat, parade in the quad area.
Kindergarten Information Night is Monday, March 8th at 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
March Wednesday, the 17th will have a special snack for St. Patrick's Day.
Happy Easter to all our church and school families this month! The school is busy with Spring activities. We will not only be learning about Easter and what that means in our lives, but also about growing
things, and how God makes flowers bloom. Some of us will learn about the weather, and many of us will be planting and catching the miracle of growth. What a beautiful time to talk about God's Creation!!
No School, Easter Vacation starts Monday, March 29th to Tuesday, April 6th.
Yours in Christ, Brenda Rollison, Director
March 2010
Page 6
CHURCH HAPPENINGS
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Freewill Donation
Wednesday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. in Parish Hall Corned Beef and Cabbage!
Church Service to follow at 7:00 p.m.
Thank You to Ellie Cleveland for making the new purple Lenten chasuble for
Pastor’s sacramental wardrobe with the triumphant Lamb of God on the front and
back. The workmanship is superb! Again, thank you, Pastor Jones
Pine Valley Retreat, May 14-16 Pine Valley is a small community nestled in the mountains of eastern San Diego
County. In the woods just outside of the one-horse town is the Pine Valley Retreat
Center. We invite everyone who would like to get away for a weekend of relaxation
and a faith-lift to join us this year. We enjoy Bible topics, comfortable accommoda-
tions, great food, fellowship and God’s great outdoors. Last year the cost per person
was $115 per person. This year the final cost will depend on the number of regis-
trants, but the price will be comparable. For more information contact Trevor Bart-
lett. The sign-up list is on the display board at the back of the church.
TALENT SHOW Please put the date April 18 on your calendar. At 4:00 p.m. that afternoon we are planning on a musical talent show just for fun and fellowship. We want to feature anyone who would like to perform--singing or instrumental. So, don't be shy! Come tell us what you would like to do. This is a time to enjoy-- it should be a lot of fun to hear members of our congregation do something different. We hope you will attend and participate. The Choir Patty Wolfe
Lutheran High School of San Diego will be performing a joint choral
concert with Lake Country Lutheran High School from Hartland, Wisconsin. It will take place on Saturday, March 20th at 7:00pm at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Chula Vista. The two choirs will sing pieces on their own, as well as a few together. Please come out for this night of great traditional and contemporary choral music...there will be something for everybody! A freewill offering will be taken to support both music programs.
Page 7
March 2010
What is the Orphan Grain Train?
In February, we collected socks and un-derwear (Undie Sunday) for distribution by the Orphan Grain Train. Volunteers across America use their own cars, trucks, and cash donations to collect and ship food, clothing, medical and school supplies to destitute people in the name of Jesus Christ. They make sure their relief supplies get where they are most needed by giving through Orphan Grain Train. Orphan Grain Train’s relief shipments are sent to our mission partners in East-ern Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America. Our Mission partners distribute the shipments where most needed. Relief supplies are also sent in response to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires, and droughts here in America. Orphan Grain Train is a recognized service organization of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, and is headquartered in Norfolk, Nebraska. For more information, write or call: Orphan Grain Train, Inc., California-Arizona-Nevada Division Norm Everhart, Chairman, 840 N. Lake Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 909-986-7005
Also visit www.ogt.org
I was so proud of the Scouts on Scout Sunday February 7th. They certainly showed
their patriotism. We are looking forward to a wonderful year. We went camping in
January to Agua Caliente recreation area and in February to Camp Palomar. We are
planning a camping/hiking trip in March to Laguna. In April, we have our annual Scout
Fair at Qualcomm Stadium. This will give us a chance to get together with other Scouts
from the San Diego Area. We will be selling Scout fair tickets prior to this event.
A large part of the Scout experience is the concept of service. During last year’s
Christmas season, the entire Scout troop worked at the Giving Tree at the Chula Vista
Mall. On January 30, once again, the entire troop helped clean up the beach from the
south end of Seacoast Drive to the border. Coming up in March is the Scouting for Food
drive. We will be distributing food bags on March 6th and picking them up again on
March 13th. The food collected will go to our St James pantry.
We deeply appreciate your support in our activities.
St. James Scouts
THERE ARE STILL ALTAR FLOWER SUNDAYS available for you sign up. The flower chart is located next to the coffee window for the select dates listed. The available dates are April 4 (Easter Sunday), May 9th, August 29, September 12 & 19, October 3 and De-cember 12 & 19. The cost is $25.00 per arrangement, the check made out to St. James Lutheran LWML, or cash is accepted. You can give the money to Lois Allchin, or put the money in the mail slot marked “LWML Treasurer” located in the room behind the altar. Questions? Call Lois at 429-0164. Thanks for beautifying our altar on Sundays!
Page 8
March 2010
ALTAR FLOWERS
Just for Kids
St. JameS Lutheran / 130 For Sponsor Information Please Call (951) 683-0608
"The DMV AlTernATiVe"
Bonita Bryant1235 Palm ave., Imperial Beach
424-6888 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM
Bryant'sAuto Registration
Service
Weregister
Cars
COMMUNITY MORTUARYFe-1682
855 Broadway Chula Vista
l Family run, Privately Owned lRobert Humphrey
(619) 426-2006
"Wave After Wave of Service"Pacific Realty will donate 10% of our broker fees to Saint James Church when a congregation member
chooses our services to buy or sell a home, just mention this ad.
Call Gary for details at 619-423-4004 ext 4
SupportOur
SponsorsCheck here before
Checking the yellow pages
I'm not strong. She's not strong. But together my friend and I make
the strongest force in the known universe.
Linda Macfarlane
Carpet • Vinyl Laminate • Wood • Tile
619-279-2294Call today for a free quote!
PLeaSe SuPPOrt Our SPOnSOrS
Martha E. MuñozFlower Artist
619-423-5000245 Palm Ave.
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Tunes Lubes Etc.
Smog Check
$19.99Pass or Don't pay
(most cars)
Oil Change
$14.99most cars
& recycling fee to 5 Qrts.
741 Palm Ave.Imperial Beach(619) 575-6087
Hair AddictionsUpdo & Make-up
$79.99Free Haircut
with any chemical servicee
Open 7 days a week4310 Main St., Chula Vista
619-426-1220
WATER & FIRE DAMAGE SPECIALIST
CALL US TODAY or visit online at www.ibpuroclean.com
LeO CLemenTContact PuroClean
(619) 429-7876
Doing Whatever it Takes• Water Removal, dehumidification, and deodorization• Fire, Smoke, and Soot Damage restoration and Odor removal• mold mitigation and remediation• Specialty Services
24-Hr
emergency
Service
Restaurant
El Zason633 9th St., Imperial Beach
619-424-7499We have breakfast all day
Get 2 Meals for the Cost of one
with couponMon. - Sat. 8:00am - 7:00 pm
600 Palm Ave. Ste. 112Imperial Beach, CA 91932
p. 619-822-1610f. 619-429-4000
www.ibpet.net10% off your purchase
NON PROFIT RATE U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Chula Vista, CA Permit No. 68
866 Imperial Beach Blvd. •••• Imperial Beach, CA 91932 Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Pastor: Douglas D. Jones Hispanic Vicar: Rigo Gonzalez
Vicar: Michael Bonner Parish Ministry: Barbara Eide
Email Addresses: Pastor: [email protected] Hispanic Vicar: [email protected] Vicar: [email protected] Church Office: [email protected] School Director: [email protected] Youth Ministry: [email protected] Church: 619.424.6166 School: 619.423.8648 Fax: 619.424.5129 Hispanic: 619.424.6108
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Top Related