Cf. John 12:3 Holy Cross Lutheran...
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church “Sharing the Ointment for Jesus’ Feet, Giving God our Very Best” Cf. John 12:3 Our mission statement: Celebrating God’s love by worshipping God, caring for each other, and serving in community. Vol. 20 No. 10 October 2014 BERGY’S BABBLE: THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM TO BE Yikes, we’d been hung out to dry by the medical empire. We had no M.D., no P.C.P for our PPO. Don’t ask me what all those letters mean. Candy and I loved Dr. Jack. He was the kindest Doc I had ever known, but he had sat in front of Jesus in Sunday school, and he regretfully decided it was time to retire. The doctor who helped him was named Tex, and he was a gem of a character, too. So we communicated with the insurance company to let them know we’d like to stay in the same office with Dr. Tex. They said, “Fine, we’ll send you a new card immediately.” A week later, the new card arrived and it said, “INVALID CHOICE.” I can see real quickly that I’m going a long ways into medical care with a monopoly game card like that! So I called the office and said, “Lemme speak to Tex.” “He doesn’t work here any longer.” He had moved over into a specialty so he could make a little money. It’s hard these days to feed your family as a general practitioner. You may break even if you see 40 people a day. I call my insurance provider back having perused a list of ‘approved’ PCPs and said, “OK, we’ll go with Bob.” The insurance company said, “Your new cards will be in your hands in a week.” WHEW!!!
Transcript of Cf. John 12:3 Holy Cross Lutheran...
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church
“Sharing the
Ointment
for Jesus’ Feet,
Giving God
our Very Best” Cf. John 12:3
Our mission statement:
Celebrating God’s love
by worshipping God,
caring for each other,
and serving in community.
Vol. 20
No. 10
October
2014
BERGY’S BABBLE: THINGS AREN’T
ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM TO BE
Yikes, we’d been hung out to dry by the medical empire.
We had no M.D., no P.C.P for our PPO. Don’t ask me what all
those letters mean. Candy and I loved Dr. Jack. He was the kindest Doc I
had ever known, but he had sat in front of Jesus in Sunday school, and he
regretfully decided it was time to retire.
The doctor who helped him was named Tex, and he was a gem of a
character, too. So we communicated with the insurance company to let
them know we’d like to stay in the same office with Dr. Tex. They said,
“Fine, we’ll send you a new card immediately.”
A week later, the new card arrived and it said, “INVALID
CHOICE.” I can see real quickly that I’m going a long ways into medical
care with a monopoly game card like that! So I called the office and said,
“Lemme speak to Tex.”
“He doesn’t work here any longer.”
He had moved over into a specialty so he could make a little money.
It’s hard these days to feed your family as a general practitioner. You may
break even if you see 40 people a day.
I call my insurance provider back having perused a list of ‘approved’
PCPs and said, “OK, we’ll go with Bob.” The insurance company said,
“Your new cards will be in your hands in a week.”
WHEW!!!
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A month later…..no cards..…I call back. “Where’my cards? Am I
insured or not?”
“Oh, so sorry, the computer was down.”
“All right lady. I’m getting upset here. I don’t give two hoots about
the emotional state of your computing machine as it infringes on my medical
care.” “Computer down? Tell it a joke. Get it laughing. Give it a Prozac.
But we need a doctor!”
“You’ll have your cards in a week.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“Positive!”
“And Bob is our new choice for a physician, correct?”
“Yes, he’s in the system, that will be fine.”
Two weeks later the cards arrive. They say, “INVALID CHOICE.”
I get out my Yellow Pages and check under the listed MD’s on the off
chance one is named Invalid Choice. No such luck. I call the insurance
company back and frantically say, “I’m having an apoplectic attack with
hydrophobic complications and I have no medical services provider, and I
may die while we’re on the phone. What are you going to do about
that?” (After all, they were about to give me a stroke and I was rabidly
foaming at the mouth.) I got high blood pressure from trying to access
medical care.
“Could you please hold?”
My eyes are bugging and my carotids are throbbing as I listen to
Afternoon of a Faun, by Claude Debussy, played by the Mantovani strings at
the wrong tempo. Talk about adding insult to injury. Thank God I was on
the cell phone. I sprinted to the truck, got the CD player poised and waited.
The Overseer Customer Service Representative Supervisory Manag-
ing Proctor Mentor says in her best lollipop voice, “Hello, how can I be of
service?”
I hit the play button and Fists of Rage, by Kid Rock comes slashing
and pommelling out of the speakers. Lordy, lord, that felt good. I might not
need a doctor after all. Like Joshua said at the Jericho debut of his band,
“There’s a reason the volume dial goes up to ten!” Or in the words on the
banner in front of the Levitical Trumpet Marching Band, “SHOFAR, SO
GOOD!”
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All of this time, I was living in a delusion while naively thinking,
“Golly, those folks are in the medical insurance business. They should care
about our health.”
Here’s how that really plays. When you call your insurance, or
credit card company, or even the phone company, you don’t know where the
customer service representative is located. All phone calls described here
take 10 minutes of button punching to talk to a human. That is approxi-
mately the time it takes to route your call from here, via an off-planet satel-
lite location, to another person. She says that she is Suzy Creamcheese from
Chicago, but she is really Rubena Satyagraha from Trubindi, 15,000 miles
away.
It is common practice. It is cheap outsourcing of jobs. Ms. Rubena
will even let slip a little fictitious personal history. She and her fellow em-
ployees there in Trubindi drill daily in English regional phonetics, American
colloquialisms, sports and TV. They study reruns of Friends, 90210, and
Ally McBeal, for linguistic phrasing patterns, and they’re allowed to make
up their own ‘American life’ to fool callers.
Ah yes, it’s sadly true in a poignant sort of way. My medical condi-
tion is of no concern to Rubena. Medical insurance for her is a fiction.
She’ll never have any. The matrix of confusion cuts both ways. Rubena is
probably hosting several devastating parasites plus antibiotic resistant TB.
But she is well-off with this job that pays her a wonderful $1200 a year
which is $18,800 less than it would take to pay an American worker….but
still more than it costs to use an inmate in a local penitentiary to handle all
of your intimate numbers, if the company can win the low bid for the con-
tract from the penal system. After all we have to pay for new prisons some-
how.
Meanwhile local physicians are bailing out of MY insurance compa-
ny because it won’t pay a nickel on the dollar for the wholesale cost of
vaccinations. You can’t afford to stay in business and run a viable practice
while losing 95 cents on every dollar shot you administer.
So for quite some time there, we didn’t have a doctor. In checking
other options I discovered that Westbury Animal Hospital just peaked out
over Memorial Hermann SW Hospital for the cost of emergency services
but the wait was shorter and you wouldn’t feel so bad about shouting, “Hey,
I’m bleeding here, stitch me up before Garfield over there, OK?”
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Ah the vicissitudes of the Global Village. We hear village and feel
all comfy and snug when it’s really global, global, global. There are many
miles in the big, big world that lies between the receiver in your hand and
your ear.
Things aren’t always what they seem to be.
See you in worship,
BERGY
RAISING THE BAR –
Both the HCLC Men’s Breakfast Group – and the Ladies Auxiliary –
achieved record attendances for 2014 at their September meetings. For the
guys, John Wenger provided another of his excellent devotions with fellow-
ship continuing past the hour.
We welcomed the Gurupathams at our August meeting – Ernest is back in
India, while Jean will remain here until later. Then – we were again blessed
on 03 September with visitors, Andy and Jane Tsuei (pronounced Tray), to
boost the attendance to 11 men and 9 ladies.
Remembered was Erwin Gross whose death was announced shortly after the
meeting.
To receive a reminder of our monthly meetings, ask Calvin to add your
name/telephone number to his growing list.
Calvin
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COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 21, 2014
Those present: Pastor Jim Berggren, AIM Karen Davidson, Pastor John
Arroyave, Wendy Lambeth, Wayne Schaper, Warren Schick, Mike Appling,
Fredda Yurk, Nancy Beamesderfer, Ann Larson, Rosie Haas, Marilyn
Flick. Absent: Ernesto López.
Minutes and Treasurer's report from the August meeting reviewed and
approved;
Pastor Jim conducted one memorial service (Erwin Gross);
Annual Rummage Sale coming up in October;
ELC Director Cathy Bankhead and her staff introduced at worship ser-
vice; encouraged by spirit of cooperation between ELC and Holy Cross;
AIM Karen continues with her visitation schedule;
New tile floor in Guild Hall is complete; new ceiling fans will be in-
stalled soon to complete renovation;
Good response to appeal for Adult Protective Services project;
Friday Night Lights will meet October 10 in the gym;
Rummage Sale set-up starts Sunday, September 28, 2014;
Next Council meeting set for October 19, 2014 at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Flick,
Secretary
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FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The Friendship Club will be taking a mystery bus trip Tuesday, October 28,
to a nearby city. The cost of this trip will be $5.00 per person. Please contact
Nancy Beamesderfer (281) 814-4153 to make your reservation. Be sure to
be at the church by 9:30 a.m. so we can fill out all the necessary paperwork
and leave by 10:00 a.m. The plan is to return by 4:00 p.m. Hope to see you
on the bus!!
RUMMAGE SALE
Friday, October 3, 2014, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
and Saturday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
ITEMS FOR BOUTIQUE
Please remember to drop off your gently worn,
clean clothes in the Youth Room, next to the Annex.
It would be a great help.
We would also appreciate your nice shopping bags.
Boutique Ladies
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07 HCLC to the Glory of God
14 Al & LaVerne Pivonka; and
Liliana & Alejandro Varela,
Daniel Gorbiras & Pilar Grau
21 Gordon & Elaine Tinker
28 Betty Mooney
Bill & Bernice Rogge
IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN
Time to enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards Program so that a portion
of your purchases at Kroger are donated by Kroger to WELCA. These funds
are used to support HCLC projects especially for Outreach! All you need to
enroll is your Kroger Reward Card, your email address and the address of
the Kroger where you usually shop. You can go online now at Kroger.com
and click Community pull down tab, then Community rewards and go
straight to the enrollment form. Or, you can bring this information on
Sunday during the coffee time and we will help you enroll.
WE ALSO NEED ANYONE WHO HAS A LAPTOP
AND CAN HELP INPUT THE DATA!
WELCA Board
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Inasmuch as there still seems to be a lack of understanding here at Holy Cross as
to just what Stephen Ministry is all about, it seems appropriate at this time to
share an important guide for our Stephen Ministers. It's called the Caregiver's
Compass, and reads as follows:
The Caregiver’s Compass points Stephen Ministers in the right direction on
their care giving journey.
The symbol for Jesus Christ at the center of the compass reminds Stephen
Ministers that Jesus is the source and power of their caring ministry.
The four points of the compass remind Stephen Ministers to be caregivers
who are:
Compassionate —able to share the sufferings of their care receivers;
Full of Faith —relying solely on God to be the one who heals all wounds;
Skilled —knowing how to listen, understand, and empathize;
Trustworthy —maintaining confidentiality, visiting care receivers regularly,
and remaining committed to their ministry.
We are prepare to share your walk with you. Won’t you let us? Please consider
your reluctance to share your problems, difficulties, fears, and/or sorrows. Pastor
Jim or Karen can put you in touch with me if you wish, or you can contact me
directly. I do hope you’ll trust us to help.
Go with God,
Marge Carroll
Stephen Ministry Coordinator
713-467-4757
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Holy Cross members celebrating birthdays this month:
01 Betty Morris
Wendy Lambeth
Angélica Aguilar
03 Francisca Villegas
05 Sue Vogt
John Echols
07 Michael Doler
08 Marilyn Collins
09 Juan Alvarado
Tristan Walton
10 Betty Mooney
Stephen Schulze
Ernesto López
Mike Vaccaro
11 Delvin Meiners
Rose Marie Stork
James Pharries
Candy Berggren
12 Karen Yoder
Merle Jensen
12 Renee Allcorn
13 Tillie Remmert
Joshua Arroyave
Nathan Kelm
14 Joyce Pavelka
15 Elaine Tinker
Sandy Dobbs
19 Shane Berggren
21 Mario Torres
22 Francisco Rauda
23 Bernice Rogge
25 Blair Ballard
26 John Allcorn
28 Barney Boeker
30 Clara Estes
Barbara Neumann
Joyce Peden
31 Roger Drushel
Vladimir Orellana
DITTMAR, Ora Dell
Emeritus at Cy-Fair
11500 Fallbrook Dr. Apt. 120
Houston, TX 77065
(281) 500-3743
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DATE 1st READING PSALM 2nd READING GOSPEL
10/05/2014 Isaiah
5:1-7
80:7-15 Philippians
3:4b-14
Matthew
21:33-46
10/12/2014 Isaiah
25:1-9
23 Philippians
4:1-9
Matthew
22:1-14
10/19/2014 Isaiah
45:1-7
96:1-9
[10-13]
I Thessalonians
1:1-10
Matthew
22:15-22
10/26/2014 Jeremiah
31:31-34
46 Romans
3:19-28
John
8:31-36
GARWICK, David L.
7555 Katy Fwy # 127
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 681-7512
KILE, Bryan Ben
1311 Antoine Dr. # 155
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 956-1221
Please welcome our new members:
READINGS, PSALMS & GOSPEL
OCTOBER 2014
MEYERS, Haileigh E.
(319) 551-7956
SOSA, Mary Elena
Regina Ana Hernández
5830 Langfield Rd.
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 459-8543
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R E M E M B E R I N P R A Y E R
AUGUST 2014
English Services : 103
Spanish Services : 91
The homebound, disabled,
long-term ill,
and prolonged recovering.
Ed Cooper
Ora Dell Dittmar
Betty Dodson
Doris A. Drosche
Nancy Mendel
Doris Pannell
Doris Polker
Elsie Schulze
Sue Vogt
Roselain Larson
PRAYER CHAIN
If you are not receiving HCLC Prayer
Request emails and would like to,
please contact Renee Allcorn at
or (713) 254-8638 Note that Prayer Request emails are
sent out daily, so if you are on the
email list and did not receive any email,
please contact Renee.
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
If you have any questions call
Wayne Schaper, Sr. at (713) 465-5206.
AUGUST 2014
Receipts $ 40,214.00
Expenses 39,498.35
Balance $ 715.65
Operational receipts
year to date received ……. $ 274,678.06
Expenditures year to date ……. 313,852.48
Balance …… < $ 39,174.42 >
You may sign up for Altar Flowers
in the Narthex.
Suggested donation is $45.00
and $10.00 for a rose.
CHURCH OFFICE
HOURS
Monday—Thursday
8:30 am — 4:30 pm
Friday
8:30 am — 2:30 pm
HOLY CROSS
Lutheran Church
E-MAIL address:
Cade Baesley
Ronald Burns
Ed Cooper
Loy Dell Kaltwasser
Marty Nebeling
Jeri O’Neill
Lorna Patt
Madelyn Price
Al Raschke
Walter Ruthstrom
Fred Schmidt
David Stork
Elaine Tinker
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“Holy Cross Lutheran Church is a community of Christians
gathered by God’s grace and reaching out through God’s love.”
TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS
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101
Church Office Sussy Terry Office Manager & Events Coordinator
103 Rev. Jim Berggren Senior Pastor
104 Rev. Jhon J. Arroyave Hispanic Pastor
105 Karen Davidson Associate In Ministry
107 Financial Office
108 Stephen Ministry Office
109 Family Life Center
110 Nursery
111 Volunteer Office
Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spring Branch
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
7901 Westview Dr. Houston, Texas 77055
Tel. (713) 686-8253 Fax (713) 686-9095
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.holycross.us
YOUR CHURCH STAFF
† Rev. Jim Berggren — Senior Pastor Email : [email protected]
† Rev. Jhon Jairo Arroyave — Hispanic Pastor Email : [email protected]
† Karen Davidson — Associate In Ministry Email : [email protected]
† Sussy Terry — Office Manager Email : [email protected]
WORSHIP MUSICIANS
Cathy Elijah Music Director / Organist
Jo Ann Meeker Pianist
Ann Crick Pianist
EARLY LEARNING CENTER
ELC (713) 461-5535
OFFICERS OF THE CONGREGATION
Wendy Lambeth President
Warren Schick Vice President
Marilyn Flick Secretary
Wayne Schaper, Sr. Treasurer
SATURDAY INFORMAL SERVICE
6:00 p.m. — Atrium
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
English Service : 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School : 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Spanish Service: 10:30 a.m.
Estudio Bíblico y Escuela Dominical
11:30 a.m.—12:15 p.m.
