Christ Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran Church

ISSUE #288

JUNE 2012 The Tidings

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Mission Guatemala - God's Work. Our Hands.

You might have noticed the vase of blue wristbands with this slogan on them at the table with the coffee and muffins. As the trip to Guatemala gets closer, I'd like to encourage everyone to take a bracelet as a reminder to pray for God to be glorified in this trip. You don't have to wear the bracelet if that's not your style, but you could put it in a place where you would see it every day and use that as a reminder to just say a quick prayer. Places you might consider could be the doorknob of the door you use the most, around the gear shift lever in your car, around the kitchen or bathroom faucet, just about anywhere, even the TV remote or the

corner of your computer! Then when you see it, just ask God :

∗ to keep us safe as we travel,

∗ to help us connect with the people we'll be meeting,

∗ for the solar panel project to be successful,

∗ that we will learn about walking in faith from our hosts, and

∗ that God would be glorified in all that is done.

The suggested donation for a bracelet is $1.00 which will go to the Guatemala church. However, we REALLY want you to just take them (take 2 - they're small and you can share with a friend!) and PRAY for

us.

Thanks!

The Guatemalan mission group

June 22 & 23June 22 & 23June 22 & 23June 22 & 23

Tiki rules so join us Thursday,

June 7 at 6:30 pm for a really

good time. The medals seem to

be staying with the White

family as Sharon won the

medal in May. Stephanie Nay-

lor will also be trying to hold onto

her medal. Thank you to Betty Massey

for the May snacks.

If anyone wants to try the game but

doesn't want to try it for the first

time when the group plays, let Marge

Janke know and she will arrange a pri-

vate playing time at your convenience.

It's easy and fun.

Glass jars needed for

Camp Hope—all sizes—from baby food size and larger—with or without

lids. Bring them and set them by the Camp Hope

bulletin board.

PAGE 2 THE T IDINGS

God’s peace,

Pastor Paul Geisler

From the Pastor, to my Partners, . . .

Late this month, on the 26th, I reach my thirty-fifth anniversary of ordination. I remem-ber my mother made me my first alb a few years earlier, adapting a pattern for a dress shirt – and it worked! Then she made me a red stole as a surprise present for the ordination, not knowing that someone else had already made me a full set of stoles. I still use the one my mom made – wore it last Sunday for Pentecost.

I also remember the reaction of my grandfather (my mom’s father) when he learned I was going to study at seminary to become a pastor. “So, you’re going to preach the Gospel!” He surprised me by the way this life-long Methodist summed up the calling of all of us in ministry.

He also scared me a little. I was still getting used to the idea of doing sermons. I was much more ready to spread God’s Good News through acts of serving others, so I chose a verse from Luke 24:27 for my ordi-nation invitations: “I am among you as one who serves.”

The following legend from the American civil war reminds me of my approach to Christian ministry:

A chaplain approached a wounded soldier on the battlefield and asked if he'd like to hear a few verses from the Bible. The wounded man said, "No, I'm so thirsty, I'd rather have some water."

The chaplain gave him a drink, and then repeated his question. "No sir, not now – but could you put something under my head?"

The chaplain did so, and again repeated his question. "No," said the soldier, "I'm cold. Could you cover me up?" The chaplain took off his inside coat and wrapped the sol-dier.

Afraid to ask, he did not repeat his question. He made to go away, but the soldier called him back. "Look, Chaplain, if there's anything in that book of yours that makes a person do for another what you've done for me, then I want to hear it."

A dispute also arose among [the disciples] as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But [Jesus] said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who

serves. Luke 22:24-27

ISSUE #288 PAGE 3

Worship & Music Notes

SUMMER WORSHIP BEGINS JUNE 2/3!

Saturdays at 5:00pm & Sundays at 9:00am.

Our summer worship will include songs that may fit a particular theme. Stay tuned! We know you like

Camp Songs, Southern Gospel and Spirituals. Let us know what else you’d like to sing. Worship and music

folks can find just the right thing! We’ll begin using Setting 10 on our first & third weekends, when we nor-

mally do a sung liturgical setting. This setting has worship components based on familiar hymn melodies.

Everybody: As always, nothing we plan is set in stone, so if there are hymns you’d like to hear, let your worship

and music folks know—we can usually find an opportunity for your favorites to be included.

Special Music opportunities abound. Choir will be on hiatus, so we’d love to have folks share their gift of music. Bring your voices, bring your guitars, and bring your musical gifts of any kind! Please let Pastor Paul know when

you’re available to make that joyful noise!

June 2/3 we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity; God the Father, Jesus as Son and Savior, and the gift of

the Holy Spirit, our advocate.

Beginning June 9/10, we begin the church season of Time after Pentecost, the longest of the seasons of wor-ship. The color is green, which represents growth, our growth in faith and knowledge. During this lengthy season, we are not waiting for the babe in the manger, nor heading with our Savior to the cross. We are focusing on our learning and putting into practice what we should be doing as Christ’s hands in this world. Most of our readings this month will come from Paul’s second letter to the folks at Corinth and from the Gospel of Mark, chapters 3-6.

Consider reading these books of the Bible and get a jump-start on your understanding as well as your questions.

During our summer worship schedule, we’d like to have fellowship opportunities abound.

These events take a bit of time and coordination, but are always enjoyed. We’re looking to have something once a

month on Saturdays and one a month on Sundays. So far, here’s what we have for June:

Saturday, June 2nd. Cool Treats!

After 5pm service – a Light supper of sandwiches, salads, and of course, desserts. Plan on bringing your favorites to share. We have a couple of desserts stashed away, so think about those special sandwiches or salads—unless

your sweet tooth gets the better of you!

Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th

Let’s celebrate the Guatemala mission trip and gather together both Saturday and Sunday for a bit of fellowship. Hopefully, we’ll get a full report from our missionaries and some pics, too! Then we can have a bite of something

and while we’re visiting we can ask lots of questions!

Peeking ahead into July!

July 7/8 - We’re planning worship services with good ole Camp Songs! So, what better reason to have a Saturday

cookout with hot dogs and S’mores. More on that later, but mark your calendar!

1 Gunner Vaughn 24 Don White

2 Sandy Naill Oney Yendrey

4 Mary Jo Callaway 26 Jeremy Rieschick

Terry Partridge 27 Dave McCrery

9 Leon Giese Jenna Skov

17 Morgan Burridge Joy Stanley

20 Mary Kay Hoffman 28 Bubba Heinsohn

Tamara Tweedle Morgan Vogt

22 Cadelyn Bennett 29 Sarah Escobedo

LLLT First Monday of the Month

Lorin Furlow’s- 130 White Oak,

7pm-9pm,

Pot-Luck Tapas!

ISSUE #288 PAGE 4

VViivvaa FiFieesstta a Camp HopeCamp Hope July 11-29

1) Scholarships are needed to make this camp successful so please consider contributing to this area. I would like to encourage 1/2 camper scholarships of $35 each. Anyone can sponsor 1/2 or more campers.

2) Staff training will be July 7-9 at New Life Lutheran Church in Pearland. Our staff will have only one training this year.

3) Registration forms for campers are located in the gathering area and can now be filled out. They are also located on the church web site. Campers ages should be 5 years old (or slightly younger...) through finishing 6th grade.

Please call or e-mail if you have a desire to help this wonderful camp or have any questions.

Sandy Naill dsnaill@comcast.net

Christian love and sympathy is extended to:

-Ronald (Pat) and Patty Northam in the loss of Pat’s mother, Mary John-son.

-Floyd and Cathie Ellington in the loss of Floyd’s sister, Bonnie Ellington.

Congratulations to Kevin and Jenna Skov on the birth of their

daughter, Bailey Grace Skov.

She was born on May 29th

7 lbs 9 oz and 20 1/4 inches long.

Please remember these people in your prayers.Please remember these people in your prayers.Please remember these people in your prayers.Please remember these people in your prayers.

Marian Arntsen Verlene Heady Robert Newton Pat Soledade

Kevin Autry Todd Hughes Terry Partridge Bill Stoerner

Staci Ayers Martha Jessop Brinly Pirtle Ginger Stoldt

Taylor Bedrich Joseph Jones Barbara Ray Van Tetlow

Alison Blevins Dennis Jones Steve Ray Betty Thomas

Bill Bowden Betty Keith Sue Rieschick Bradley Thomas

Patricia Bradburn Paul Lydic Karen Schubring Dora Updike

Pastor Horacio Castillo Doug Magnussen Doris Schwank Clara Veatch

Kathy Cordes Macel Magnussen Kim Shelton Viola Watson

Liz Ellett Brock Massey Fam Ed Siegel Ruth Wetherell

Carroll Grigsby Steve Miller Ken Smith Pauline Zabel

Wednesdays @ 1:3pm, in the church

library

Gather around the Word, gather with a small group, gather your thoughts and

let’s grow in faith.

The upcoming Sunday’s lectionary is found in a couple of places; usually on the table in the church parlor and also at the ELCA web site (search Daily Disci-pleship). We’re in year B, and the dates should be listed. There’s always lively discussion on this two-page study. One page is clearly Bible study, the second page is application of the Word in to-

day’s world.

THE T IDINGS PAGE 5

Lord’s Work Income Net Expenses Budget

April $23,989.80 $13,067.89 $17,013.75

Year to Date $76,346.60 $55,062.35 $68,055.00

Building Loan for April

Received $6,650

Payment $5,775.70 Balance $489,939.37

May Avg Attendance—71

YTD Avg. Worship Attendance--74

Pastor Erwin Henry Knitt passed May 19, 2012. He was 96 years old. A graduate of Wartburg Seminary in Iowa, Pastor Knitt was ordained in 1941. He first served congregations in California (Bellflower, Los Angeles, and Tulare), then en-tered the US Army and served chaplaincies in Washington state, Austria, Germany, and Fort Hood, Texas. After leaving the military, he stayed in Texas and served congregations in San Marcos, Clifton, Freeport, and Damon, and participated as well in prison ministry in Hunts-ville.

A service of song and praise will be held at a later date at St. John Lutheran Church in Angle-ton.

ISSUE #288 PAGE 6

Lutherhill Camp Open House - THIS Saturday (June 2nd)

Recognizing the work of the firefighters who protected Lutherhill on Sep-tember 4th, Lutherhill is throwing a party and inviting everybody out to Lu-therhill to say a big thanks to all the firefighters and volunteers!

Come on out to celebrate with us as we begin another summer!

All ages are welcome so bring your family or your youth group or any-body you can find and enjoy a great day at Lutherhill on us!

We hope to see you June 2nd!

RSVP not required, but appreciated at office@lutherhill.org or 888.266.4613

One Year after the Tornado in Joplin, Missouri

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

We remember and pray for all those affected by the deadly tornado that ripped through the town of Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011.

We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. As news of the disaster spread, you responded generously with prayers and financial support. Our work in times of disasters goes beyond immediate relief. In Joplin we continue to be present through the spiritual care of children and families, coordinating volunteers, as well as assessing and meeting the long-term needs of community members.

Your gifts made it possible for this church to respond in Joplin, bringing hope and help to neighbors in their time of need. Thank you.

Please continue to pray for the people of Joplin, volunteers and leaders who share God's love as a foun-dation for rebuilding community after this disaster.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Daniel Rift Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

THE T IDINGS PAGE 7

The Situation in Syria: For over a year, ongoing violence in Syria has led to an increased risk of a humanitarian crisis. Many Syrians have left their homes, choosing to escape the violence by relocating to more stable areas of Syria or neighboring countries. Syrians are also now faced with decreasing levels of secu-rity, restricted access to primary healthcare -- jeopardizing child nutrition and health -- and high lev-els of unemployment because of displacement. ELCA Response: Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, in letters to Christian church leaders in Syria, offered support of the churches' collective call for an end to violence and his prayers for the people in the region. We stand in solidarity with our companions in Syria and seek ways to encourage their role in the pro-motion of peace and reconciliation. We are operating through our local partners to help meet the needs of the Syrian people. Our partners are working to provide food and items such as hygiene kits, household items, bedding sets and clothing. They are also addressing healthcare awareness through psychosocial care and train-ing in nutritional support for mothers. Additionally rental subsidies, tuition fees and classes will be available to help alleviate some of the economic burdens faced by displaced families.

“PASTOR, WHAT IS DEPRECIATION?!” A missionary who is an accountant? Is that really about proclaiming the gospel? The Rev. Rodney Nordby loves to respond to these questions. Serving alongside his wife, Nancy Anderson, Pastor Rodney is both an ELCA mis-sionary pastor and a Certified Public Accountant called to serve as assistant to the internal auditor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. “The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea is strong in spiritual leadership. There are many pastors.” says Pastor Rodney. “What they are asking for are doctors, teachers, admin-istrators and – yes – accountants!” “The church is being required to take on Western ac-counting standards, which are quite foreign to this growing church in which “the vil-lage ways work for the village.” A particularly enjoyable part of Pastor Rodney’s work is helping financial interns train at the church offices. One day they came to Pastor Rodney and asked, “Pastor, what is de-preciation?” This opened the door for more conver-sation. On another day, they are curious about business ethics. Pastor Rodney smiles as he remembers their question, “Can we talk about Enron?”

Among his many tasks, ELCA mis-sionary, Pastor Rodney Nordby supports financial interns serving the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea as they grow in their understanding of Western ac-counting standards.

ISSUE #288 PAGE 8

May 19, 2012 Dear Sponsoring Congregations, Friends and Family, Grace and Peace to you from Lima! We had a wonderful Holy Week and Easter celebration, and we hope you did too! It was such a gift to have members of Transfiguration Lutheran church here with us from Bloomington Minnesota! One of the highlights for the people here at Cristo Rey was having their Minnesota-guests stay overnight in their homes to get to know their brothers and sisters more. Folks at Cristo Rey are still buzzing with excitement from their visit, and from the new friendships formed and life shared. Gracias a Dios, our folklore musicians Jhanet and Michael and their son Isaac are alive and doing well, after a very scary event. A flash flood with heavy rains caused three simultaneous land-slides to come tearing down the mountains in their town, burying the houses with big boulders and filling them up with mud. It was terrible! Michael and his family escaped from their house, were rescued by some good samaritan with a truck. Then they climbed and jumped over a wall to get to safety from the rushing destruc-tive "huayco", as it is called in the Quechua language. The Peru-vian Lutheran church may be small in numbers, but it is big in soli-darity with people living on the margins. The congregations col-lected bottled water and non-perishable food items and delivered them in several car-loads to the town, and the youth of the ILEP, who have been trained by LWR over the past year (to learn how to respond to natural disasters) put their new skills into action, and helped with some of the clean up.

Speaking of the youth, I can’t believe how time flies. Girls and boys who had their First Communion when our family first moved to Peru are now "suddenly" teenagers in the youth group. I am enclosing a photo of some big piece of artwork they made together out of recycled materials and a big refrigerator box. It is now hanging on the wall of Cristo Rey, but it was actually the scenery created for a play the youth performed called “The Ragman”. Translated into Spanish it is “El Trapero” 'Ragman' is from the book 'Ragman and Other Cries of Faith. 'Copyright @ 1984 Walter Wangerin, Jr. Published by HarperSanFrancisco." The youth did a great

job. The congregation loved it, and they are an good bunch of actors, and they brought to life for us the power of the risen Christ among us here and now! We had our first ecumenical wedding in the Peruvian Lutheran Church (ILEP) in April. In this religious context of Peru, South America, it is not easy to find a church who will marry a Roman Catholic and Protestant couple. I know that may sound strange, but unfortunately there is still a big divide between many "catolicos" y "evangelicos". Maria del Pilar and Franklin, two bright, talented, young people, knocked on the door of Cristo Rey because they heard the Lutherans are "open minded" and would welcome them just as they are, and re-spect and honor the religious histories and traditions of

Continued page 9

THE T IDINGS PAGE 9

their two families. At the same time, they were concerned about what Franklin’s family, especially his brothers, would feel about having a woman preach in church. They admitted that at age 37, they had never seen a female minister administer sacraments before until they started coming to the Lutheran church. So after a few weeks of searching, and about fifty phone calls, we found, thank goodness, a priest, Father Diego, who was comfortable with the idea of this "mixed mar-riage". He had served as a missionary priest in countries outside of Peru, so it was not so strange for him. In fact, when asked if he would be interested and willing to co-officiate the ceremony (for the sake of Franklin and Maripili and their 400 guests), Padre Diego actually said he would be "encantado” (delighted, enchanted, to participate.) It was so much fun! We had a long and elabo-rate ceremony with Holy Communion and everything (because that's what the couple wanted) and when it was over, and the guests filed out of the church to go on to the reception, Maripili and Franklin, with big smiles on their faces, said to Padre Diego and me, "!Hoy hemos hecho historia!" Today we have made history! So to be a Lutheran missionary in Peru is very special. The Peruvian Evangelical Lutheran Church (ILEP) has always promoted ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue, and above all gender equality. In fact, when the ILEP was first formed, and the first Peruvian national pastors were ordained, three out of the five of them were women. Rev. Adita Torres serves in Filadelfia Congregation in Lurin (south of Lima near the pre-Inkan archeological ruins of Pachacamac). Rev. Irene Ponce serves Belen Congregation in Brena near the center of Lima. And the Rev. Dr. Patricia Cuyatti is currently serving in Geneva with the Lutheran World Federation as the area Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean. Today ILEP has ordained Rev.Yoli Zaualeta serving in Iquitos along the Amazon River, Rev. Ofelia Davila finishing her CPE and Masters degree in Pastoral Care at Luther Semi-nary in the States, and Rev Ulrike Sallandt, an immigrant from Germany who serves Cristo Salva-dor Congregation just a few miles down the road from Cristo Rey. Our family is doing well. Tana is 9, and is right now memorizing poetry for a homework assign-ment. She needs to recite it tomorrow at school. (something about "la rosa bella es mi corazon..."). Anthony, 5, loves wrestling and sword fighting, and making potions. He has a big collection in the garden, in various jars and bottles that can do all kinds of wonders including turn a person into his sister Tana. Tom is the best dad ever, the full time caregiver of the kids. He is also a wonderful pastors' husband of which I am so grateful. Lately architecture projects from the church have been a little slow in coming, but he is doing a lot of sketching. Thank you for your prayers! Que Dios les bendiga, May God bless you. Pastora Dana

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

2 5:00 PM Worship Fellowship

3 9:00 AM Worship Food Pantry Offer-ing 6:00 PM CLC Sports Night

4 7:00 PM-Literary Troupe

7 PM-Boy Scouts

5

6

1:30 PM Bread for Life

7 6:30 PM Tiki

8

9

5:00 PM Worship

10 9:00 AM Worship

11

Guatemala Mis-sion Trip

7 PM-Boy Scouts

12 7:00 PM Servant Ministry Meeting

13

1:30 PM Bread for Life

14

15

16

5:00 PM Worship

17 9:00 AM Worship

18

7 PM-Boy Scouts

19

20

1:30 PM Bread for Life

21 7 PM Church Council Meeting

22 Rummage Sale

23

5:00 PM Worship Fellowship

24

9:00 AM Worship Fellowship

25 7 PM-Boy Scouts

26 27 28 29 30 5:00 PM Worship

ISSUE #288 PAGE 10

THE T IDINGS PAGE 11

Sat. June 2 5:00 PM

Sun. June 3 9:00 AM

Sat June 9 5:00 PM

Sun. June 10 9:00 AM

Acolytes Jeffrey Sims Kourtney Gregory Maddy Hay Tyler Burridge

Readers Debbie Smith Linda Arntsen Louise Humes Jean Warren

Ushers George Warren James Waldrop

Mary Dettloff Marv Dettloff

Robert Drake George Warren

Dave McCrery Steve Gluck

Greeters Agnes Harris Kathy Christman Louise Drake Dave Naill

Ppt Tech Jennifer Sims Dave McCrery Patty Northam Brydon Geisler

Musician Sandy Naill Sandy Naill Mary Morgan Mary Morgan

M Counters Linda Arntsen/Marv Dettloff Todd Hughes/Dave McCrery

Sat. June 16 5:00 PM

Sun. June 17 9:00 AM

Sat. June 23 5:00 PM

Sun June 24 9:00 AM

Acolytes Austin Hughes Riley Matteck Hope Furlow Eli Matteck

Readers Betty Massey Marv Dettloff Louise Humes Liz Ellett

Ushers Patty Northam Louise Humes

Shane Pirtle Dave McCrery

James Waldrop Veronica Waldrop

Dave McCrery Jean Warren

Greeters Veronica Waldrop Duane Rayburn Agnes Harris Linda McCrery

Ppt Tech Betty Massey Mary Dettloff Patty Northam Steve Gluck

Musician Linda Pirtle Linda Pirtle Mary Morgan Mary Morgan

M Counters Marv Dettloff/Shane Pirtle Dave McCrery/Jean Warren

Please return all health kit bags to church by Sunday June 3

Thanks

Guatemala Group

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

86 Plantation Drive/ P.O. Box 948

Lake Jackson, TX 77566

THE TIDINGS is published monthly by

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 86 PLANTATION DRIVE, P.O. BOX 948

LAKE JACKSON, TX 77566-0948

Pastor…..Pastor Paul Geisler, Jr…... clcpastorlj@sbcglobal.net

Secretary…..Rachel Wood….. sara6625@sbcglobal.net

Office Hours…..Mon.-Fri…..8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Phone….979-297-2013

Fax…..979-297-7868

Web Site…..www.christlutheran-lj.org

Ministers…..The People of Christ

Missionaries

• Pastor Dana Nelson/Thomas Osaski…..Serving in Peru

• Pastor Horacio Castillo…..Serving in Guatemala

• Stephen Deal…..Serving in Central America

The Hands of ChristThe Hands of ChristThe Hands of ChristThe Hands of Christ

Worshiping Learning ServingWorshiping Learning ServingWorshiping Learning ServingWorshiping Learning Serving

TogetherTogetherTogetherTogether

Worship Schedule

Saturday at 5:00 PM

Sunday at 9:00 AM