The Chronicle
Christ Lutheran Church & School
Sharing God's Love With All His Children, While Growing Together in Christ
August 2010
The Christ Lutheran Church and School Picnic
will be held on
Sunday, August 29th
at 4 p.m. at Cutler Park
(located on the east side ofPennsylvania, south of Menaul)
Hot dogs, chili, drinks and table service will be provided. Those whose last name begins with A-M please bring a dessert to share and N-Z bring a salad or side dish.
We will be welcoming our new first grade teacher Tanya Sainz, fourth grade teacher, Matt Luevano and seventh grade teacher, Michelle Luevano. It will be a great time to meet new families and re-greet others after summer vacation.We will be taking donations for the new teachers. Please see Fellowship committee members (listed on the last page) for details.
Please bring lawn chairs or blankets for extra seating. The park has some playground equipment, but please bring outdoor games to share.
FROM THE PASTOR...
Dear friends in Christ,
We live in a society and culture that puts so much emphasis on winning, success, and accomplishment, that we as Christians have forgotten God’s goals for our lives. What He wants to accomplish through us is entirely different, and in stark contrast to the goals and desires of the world. Remember what St. Paul writes: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will."Romans 12:1-2 NIV
I hope the following stories touch your heart and remind you of what it means to listen to Jesus, “be Jesus,” and to follow God’s plans for serving others as a “living sacrifice” to His glory.
The first story reminds us that God defines progress and accomplishments in His own way:
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.
This the man did day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing it with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged.
Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These troubled thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.
"Why kill myself over this?" I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough.
And, that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his thoughts to the Lord. "Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even been able to budge that rock. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. NEVER ONCE did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And, now you have come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. I my friend will now move the rock."
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what he wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and faith in Him.... By all means exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who actually moves them.
The second story illustrates what happens when we “do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but are transformed by the renewing of your mind in Christ.”
At a fund-raising dinner for a Brooklyn school that caters to learning-disabled children, the father of one child was expected to give a speech extolling the dedicated staff's work. Instead his opening remarks shocked the crowd of parents and teachers. He cried out: "My son goes to this school, which teaches that everything God does is done with perfection. But where is the perfection in my son Shaya? My child cannot understand things as other children do. So tell me where is God's perfection?"
The audience, shocked by the man's anguished question, hushed. A few people coughed nervously as the father continued: "I believe that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection He seeks is in the way people react." The father then told about the afternoon he and Shaya walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball. Shaya asked, "Do you think they will let me play?"
The father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. Nevertheless, Shaya's father understood that if his son were to be chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging. So the father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play.
The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands. "We're losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning," he told the father. "I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning." Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. A team member told Shaya to put on a glove and go out to play short center field.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again and now, with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base, Shaya was up to bat.
Would the team actually take a chance on Shaya to bat home the winning run? Everyone knew it was all but impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it.
Yet as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya should at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came in and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's teammates came up to Shaya so together they could hold the bat and face the pitcher.
Again the pitcher took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly. As the pitch came in, Shaya and his teammate swung at the bat and together they hit a slow ground ball. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first! Run to first!"
Never in his life had Shaya run to first. So now he scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Everyone yelled: "Run to second! Run to second!" Shaya ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. Just as Shaya reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, "Run to third." As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming: "Shaya, run home!" Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate, and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders. They made Shaya their hero, as he had just hit a grand slam and won the game for his team.
"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."
FROM THE PRINCIPAL...
August already!?! Students and teachers (and principals) often say that with feelings of dismay and sadness. Summer is a time to get away from the daily schedule, do other things, and even take a vacation. It can also be a busy time as plans for the coming school year are worked on, books and materials are ordered, and sometimes as new staff is searched for.
The other side of the coin is to say, “August already!!!” as we look forward to the coming year. There is much to be excited about. We have three new staff members, Tanya Sainz, Matt Luevano, and Michelle Luevano. I am looking forward to working with our new teachers. I am confident that they will all be great additions to our staff. We also have new teaching materials for reading and spelling. While there are quite expensive I think they will be valuable tools for educating our students.
We have new students and families as well. These provide us with new opportunities to reach out with the gospel message to new people as we work to fulfill the Great Commission given to us by God.
Who knows what blessings, excitement, and challenges await us this year? Certainly not me. What I am certain of is God’s promise to us in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” With a promise like that I’m excited about the coming school year!
Mark von Soosten
FROM THE CONGREGATION CHAIRMAN...
A Few Thoughts about our Mission & Ministry Plans
On May 23 we gathered to do God’s work at our annual congregation meeting. We celebrated the many blessings God has bestowed on our congregation during the past year. Please see the two page handout in this newsletter. God has truly blessed us and enabled us to do great work for Him. We also approved next year’s Mission and Ministry Plan and addressed other items.
Next Year’s Mission & Ministry Plan – Our new Plan will begin August 1. The Plan provides a budget of $1.2 million to do God’s work. The Plan sustains God’s ministry. Included in the Plan is 1.5% average raise for the staff. The projected deficit is under $15,000. (Please note that in past years approved projected deficits exceeded $75,000.)
Current Year Mission & Ministry Plan – We praise God that our projected deficit for this year’s Mission & Ministry Plan has been reduced from the May 1 projection of $60,000 to under $30,000. It is our prayer that by time you read this article that the deficit is near zero as we finish the fiscal year.
Health Insurance Update – At the May 23 congregation meeting Betty Swanger provided an update regarding the insurance committee’s activities. The committee is reviewing alternatives that would reduce our costs while providing quality coverage for the staff and dependents. The committee will be meeting with staff to review alternatives and presenting a recommendation to the Council at its August meeting. A recommendation will be presented to the congregation in September.
Next Few Months – As is our practice, the Council will meet the last Saturday in August to review and update as necessary the revenue and expense projections for the approved Mission & Ministry Plan. Key to these projections is school enrollment and final current year offerings. Please pray that our projections will be exceeded. We will also address any deficit for the current fiscal year. There will be a congregation meeting in September to address health insurance recommendations, present an updated Mission & Ministry Plan, and present a stewardship program.
God’s blessings on your July.
Al Koschmann
YOUTH MINISTRY
From the Youth Director...
Have you ever considered how much change the month of August brings to students?
The anticipation of a new school year could be compared to the beginning of a new calendar year for businesses. There’s the setting of new goals, new “wardrobe”, new “raises” and new excitements but also new anxieties. For some the office or classroom maybe the same stomping ground yet there are changes taking place. For others the office or classroom maybe a total change from what one knows: a totally new job or off to college. No matter how you look at the months of January or August, change happens.
Many years ago a former co-worker of CLC-S and I would look at a new year and say, “Well, this year will be a transitional year for us.” (We must have said this for four or five years in a row) Since then she has moved away but we keep in close contact. We laugh now because every year really is a transitional year.
So as our students begin another school year and all the anticipation of what’s to come, may our family of CLC-S be that beacon of light that reminds each of them that no matter what changes are taking place in their lives, one thing remains forever the same: Jesus loves them, is with them, forgives them, adores them, and is always with them.
Thank you for supporting our precious and priceless tweens and teens.
Peace, Leslie
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Won’t you consider helping enrich the Sunday service for the children of our church? Each Sunday the children are invited to come forward for a very brief message or object lesson.
Where do the speaker’s get their ideas? Suggested talks and topics are provided.
If you’d like to find out more about helping God’s littlest lambs, please call the church office or sign up on the clipboard in the narthex.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS - AUGUST UPDATE
The children’s Sunday School classes (grades Preschool – Fifth grade) will not meet on August 1, August 8, and August 15.
We will have a special movie day on Sunday, August 22 and a special end-of-summer party on August 29.
The new Sunday School year will begin on Sunday, September 5th. All children age 3—Fifth grade are invited to join us as we become “Faith Explorers —Following God’s Path”.
Sunday School is held each Sunday morning from 9:45—10:45 a.m. in the school building.
We will need adults to be our “Faith Explorer Guides” in each of our three classrooms. Please sign up in the church narthex for the month (or months) you could be our guides! If you have any questions, please contact Lishelle Burmeister.
NEW TEACHER WELCOME
The Board of Fellowship would like your help to welcome our three new teachers at the Church and School picnic on Sunday, Aug. 29. Please make a donation to help purchase a gift card for classroom supplies and set-up. Please give your donation to one of the members of the Fellowship Board:
Carole Mumford, Brenda Pelzman, or Ann Shaw.
WE NEED YOU!
We are always looking for ushers to help on Sunday mornings. The duties involve handing out service folders, bulletins and helping people when they have questions. The rewards are big smiles and knowing you are serving our Lord.
Let Doug Bickel know if you are willing to help.FROM THE CHURCH TREASURER...
Offerings received by June 30, 2010 were $436,729. of a projected Mission Ministry Plan of $432,315. which came in at 101% of plan. Our planned expenses for MM2009.2010 was set at $1,222,890. and as of June 30th we had spent 1,210,273 which was $12,617. less than planned. Hats off to everyone involved with planning and controlling expenses.
Here is how we ended up for our Mission Ministry for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.
Approved budget $1,222,890.
Estimated offerings $432,315.
Non offerings income 9,200.
Special offerings 22,000.
School income 684,418.
Total $1,147,933. - 1,147,933.
Projected deficit for MM2009.2010 - $74,957.
As of June 30, 2010 we have received the following:
Offerings, non-offerings & special offerings $496,529.
School income 696,931.
Total $1,193,460.
Actual expenses $1,210,273.
Actual income 1,193,460.
Actual deficit for MM2009.2010 $16,813. as of June 30, 2010
Back on Sunday, May 23rd, a Church meeting was held after late service. During this meeting Church members authorized the borrowing of $20,000. from both the Church & School Endowments to assist with possible cash flow issues due to a projected deficit for June. Fifteen thousand was actually borrowed from each endowment. Church members also authorized an additional borrowing of funds from both endowments should additional funding be necessary for July. We are asking members to consider advancing some of their August offering in July to assist with possible cash flow issues. Together with the grace of God, we can meet the challenge in which God has placed in front of us to further His Mission here at Christ Lutheran.
Steven Blea
HONOR CIRCLE
Since Marcia and Eunice will both be out of town in August, we will not meet this month.
Look for details about September in the next Chronicle.
Eunice
WORSHIP FOR SHUT-INS
Watch at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays KAZQ-TV and Dish
Network 32
or Comcast cable 22
Visit the website: www.worshipforshutins.org
August 1, 2010 – Luke 12:13-21
" Possessing Possessions" by Rev. James Elsner, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hudson, IN
Is your life filled with "stuff"?How well do you manage it?Or does it manage you?God has a plan for your possessions.
August 8, 2010 – Luke 12:22
" No Worries! " by Rev. Ken Wise, Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton Township, MI
Jesus not only tells us not to worry, but Why Not!Two reasons:1) We have a loving Heavenly Father and 2) We are infinitely valuable to Him.So much so that Christ gave His life for us.
August 15, 2010 – Hebrews 12:1-2
" Running the Race" by Rev. Daniel Brege, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Decatur, IN
We may think that our Christian life is solely our accomplishment.We cannot run the race (the Christian life) at all without Christ. He is the author and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross for our salvation.Fix the eyes of faith on Him, and your Christian race will be run by Him and through Him!
August 22, 2010 – Hebrew 12:29
“A Consuming Fire” by Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN
God will be a consuming fire to all who persist in unbelief and rebellion against the Lord.But, He is also a God of grace, mercy, and love.Christ has redeemed the whole world, and all are invited to believe in Him and be saved.We who have faith in Christ have been freed from the guilt of our sin and from the power of sin.
August 29, 2010 - Luke 14:1-14
"Friend, Move Up Higher" by Rev. Paul Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven, IN
We are to be humble before God, not thinking too highly of ourselves.God lifts us up and invites us, "Friend, Move Up Higher".At the heavenly banquet God invites us into His presence.
WHAT HAPPENED AT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL?
What would you say to an average of 90—100 excited students each day and over 40 dedicated staff members? Awesome!
God blessed each day’s journey through the parables as children traveled to sites to share music, crafts, Bible stories, games, snacks and worship.
This year’s offerings went towards the Nepal Water Buffalo Project. Each buffalo produces 3 gallons of milk which can be consumed or made into butter, yogurt, and cheese. Surplus can be used for income or to trade for necessities. Offspring of the buffalo are then given to additional needy families. One water buffalo cost $600. The great news is that by the end of the week, enough had been collected to purchase a water buffalo. Praise the Lord!
Please keep the children and families of VBS in your prayers through this next year. Many hearts and lives were touched with the message of God’s saving love. We pray that they grow in that love throughout the next year.
ARE YOU ONE OF THE 10%
In talking with, or rather listening to, LC-MS leadership, fundraisers, Mission staff, and Mission workers, I have frequently heard that “only 10% of the people GET IT when it comes to Missions”. Wow ! Only 10%? But we do so much! Can that statement really be accurate ? Hard to say for sure. So let's examine some things and see what we can learn.
Where should we start ? How about the percentage of total giving that actually goes to support Missions. That means personal giving, Church budgets, District budgets, and Synod. In the case of our Rocky Mountain District, 68% of their income comes from Congregational Tithes and Offerings. And from their total income, the District sends 20% to Synod in support of all programs.
Rocky Mountain District also utilizes an impressive 44% of income on direct Mission and Outreach programs.
Now the hard questions. Does giving money to Missions indicate that you really GET IT? Do you pray for a Mission or Missions ? Do you devote any time thinking about what you can do to advance The Kingdom here on Earth? What do you DO for a Mission? Pray? Support? Help? Go?
These are only questions for which I cannot give any definitive answers. There is no rule that states “if you do this, then you GET IT”. But one thing seems clear: If you don't give prayer, resources, time, or talent in relation to what God has given you then you don't GET IT.
Vic DawleyChairman, Board of Missions
50TH ANNIVERSARY COOKBOOKS
The 50th Anniversary edition of the CLC cookbook is still available.
Stop in the church office during the week or ask on Sunday morning.
50th Anniversary Cookbooks are $10. You may purchase a special cookbook bundle and receive the 50th anniversary edition and an earlier CLC cookbook for $15.00.
WOMEN'S LUNCH
All women are invited to a luncheon in the parish hall on Sunday, Aug. 22
starting after second service ends - approximately 12:15 p.m.
The Christ Lutheran Women’s Guild will be hosting this luncheon and serving
chicken salad and chocolate treats for dessert.
Please feel welcome to come. If you have questions, contact Kelly Gruetzner.
CHRIST LUTHERAN STAFF
Church Staff
Rev. Neal Groeling, Pastor
Leslie Helge, Director of Youth
Beth Shroff, Director of Music
Carol von Soosten, Church Secretary
Julie Henderson, Bookkeeper
Ray Smith, Custodian
School Staff
Mark von Soosten, Principal
LuAnn Blea, School Secretary
Patty van Dyck, PreSchool Director
Natalie Eisenhart, PreKindergarten
Lishelle Burmeister, Kindergarten
Tanya Sainz, First Grade
Kim Rasmussen, Second Grade
Mari Yaksich, Third Grade
Matt Luevano, Fourth Grade
Vera Abresch, Fifth & Sixth Grade
Michelle Luevano, Seventh Grade
Deon Haas, Eighth Grade
Joy Arnold, part-time teacher
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS
Congregation Officers
Chairman - Al Koschmann
Vice Chairman - Vacant
Secretary - Vacant
Treasurer - Steven Blea
Board of Christian Education
Tim Klein - Chair
Jim Behnken
Barney Brumley
Shelly Buehler
Cheri Guyer
Betty Swanger
Rosalie Volz
Vera Abresch – teacher representative
Board of Church Properties
Phil Pelzman – Chair
Paul Guyer
Jeremiah Karl
Emery Postenrieder
Chris van Dyck
Bob Willman
Board of Human Care
Angie Felty - Chair
Nancy Brul
Yvonne Damerow
Eunice Hoeft
Connie Kallsen
Marcia Koschmann
Sarah Donahue - teen representative
Board of Lay Ministry
Marty Rasmussen - Chair
Kelley Burmeister
James Gruetzner
Frank LeGault
Jerry Shroff
Jason Wertz
David Yocky
Board of Missions
Vic Dawley - Chair
Vera Abresch
Carol Dawley
D’Lorah Gothard
Board of Parish Fellowship
Carole Mumford - Chair
Melinda Crow
Brenda Pelzman
Tanya Sainz
Ann Shaw
Board of Public Relations
Kassandra Hrasky - Chair
Linda Groeling
Anne McBrayer
Board of Stewardship
David Hommel - Chair
DuWayne Branscombe
Dianne Hommel
Board of Youth
Bob Dragan - Chair
Doug Bickel
Jerry Shroff
Christ Lutheran Chronicle is published for members and friends of Christ Lutheran Church & School. News items for next month’s Chronicle are due in the church office on the 15th of the month and may be edited for content or length. Thanks for cooperating!
Copyright 2010 - Christ Lutheran Church & School