Love of Christ Lutheran Church

 Love Notes  

Monthly Newsletter "Christ living and loving through us!" May/June 2009

2009 LOC CHURCH COUNCIL

President-George Tinker (565-1880), Vice President-Bev Ostrander (969-2465)

Treasurer - Bonnie Petersen (464-9631), Secretary - Arlene Crawford (968-8459)

Stewardship - Joni Young (825-9155),Worship & Music - Chuck Sornson (782-7699)

Discipleship & Prayer-Anne Baker (929-0260), Social Ministries-Jean Wegner (565-5571)

Outreach - Dorothy Skovbo (402/875-8546), Finance & Property-C.B. Shields (956/330-                                                                                                                               7426)

Associate Member at Large - Betty Bentson (968-2394)

If you have a question or suggestion regarding Love of Christ, please submit it to the proper Chairperson of the Church Council listed above. The Church Secretary is Barbara Hagen (447-1337).

THE PASTOR’S PAGE

Dear Members, Associate Members, Winter Texans and Friends of Love of Christ,

In the midst of the Easter Season we continue to rejoice and say, "Christ is risen!" "He is risen indeed!"

The month of May brings important days and events into our lives. There are holidays, graduations, and Church Festival days as well.

On May 10th, we will honor all our mothers and give thanks to God for them in worship and in our individual family life. Thus we will pray,"Nourished by the love of our mothers and of all who give motherly care, let us pray for strong bonds and tender affection in families and friendship. Hear us O God."

The "Day of Pentecost" arrives on the last day of May. The wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit comes from the Father and the Son and calls us to faith, enabling us to believe. Luther describes the work of the Holy Spirit this way in his Small Catechism in the explanation of the "Third Article."

"I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.

In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church he daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.

On the last day he will raise me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

This is most certainly true."

Let us give thanks with a grateful heart for these and all the blessings in life.

We pray those traveling north, and in other directions as well, have had a safe journey home.

The Lord be with you,

Pastor Bob

HIGHLIGHTS OF CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING – April 21, 2009

Treasurer’s Report

Beginning Balance (03/01/09) $51,299.86

Total Income 16,265.89

Expenses - 14,095.64

Ending Balance (03/31/09) $53,470.11

Less Designated Funds $24,071.92

Total Available for Current Exp. $29,398.19

MOTIONS APPROVED

Thrivent Report of balance 04/30/09 $2,545.43

Discussed church secretary position with approval of hiring Linda Cruse. She will be working 20 hours a week.

NEEDED: A male representative to attend as a delegate for the coming Assembly Meeting, May 15-17, 2009.

Arlene Crawford, Council Secretary

***

Barbara Hagen, our Church Secretary, is recovering from heart surgery and will be out of the office for several weeks. Bonnie Vollmar or Linda Cruse will be in the office from 8 AM - 12 noon.

***

Anyone requiring a key to the church for an event, or otherwise, please call C.B. Shields,

956/330-7426.

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WORSHIP

Sunday Service – 11:00AM, until further notice.

Communion - The Schedule is the 2nd and 4th Sundays. (Faith Lutheran has Communion on 1st & 3rd Sundays.)

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Church Bulletin Blooper

Announcement in the bulletin for a National Prayer & Fasting Conference:

"The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals."

***

 

THANK YOU

Thank you for your prayers and the prayer square you made and gave to me. I am recovering and healing very nicely from surgery and thank God for prayers like yours. May God bless your ministry in Christ Jesus, our dear Lord and Savior.

Blessings, Boni Schanil

(Daughter of Al & Evelyn Kaiser)

NOTICE

Travel to Eagle Butte, SD, August 9-15, 2009, to help Native Americans renovate or build reservation homes! As a part of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat program, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides a donation of $500 to the local Eagle Butte Habitat for each member who participates.

Thrivent benefit member cost reduced

from $925 to $310

Associate member and non-member cost reduced from $1205 to $910 (costs exclude transportation to South Dakota)

Deadline to register is May 15

Contact Layne Hoppe at 830/557-5710 or lhoppe@satxrr.com

 

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

The church pictorial directory albums will be available in the fall. You may pick them up at the church.

WEDNESDAY POTLUCK SUPPERS

The first Wednesday evening, 5:00PM, Love of Christ has a fellowship dinner. If anyone has an idea for a meal or entertainment, please contact me (956/969-2465). Please come and join us and the fun the first Wednesday of the month…you will get to know some of your fellow Lutherans better. I guarantee you will have a good time.

Bev Ostrander, Vice President

ATTENTION ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

If any of you have concerns which you would like brought to the Council, please contact Betty Bentson, your Associate Member Representative on the LOC Council. You may also write a note regarding your concerns, sign it, and leave it at the church office.

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Church Bulletin Blooper

"Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don’t forget your husbands."

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DRESS FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM

(A reminder for when you are returning to the Valley next Fall.)

This program is being promoted in the Rio Grande Valley which hopes to improve the economic independence of disadvantaged women seeking jobs. One of the ways to do this is by providing professional attire for women during their career development. What they need is "gently worn" business suits (skirts and pants), blouses, closed-toe shoes in size 7 and up. This is a project we would like to help with; so when you are coming back to the Valley, if you, family, or friends, have any of these items….bring them along. Although

we promote Runn School, this will be an extra project separate from that.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Sharing Place Treasure Chest is waiting for your contributions! You will find it in the storage room used by Love of Christ behind the bi-fold doors as you enter the north door of the church. It is labeled "Sharing Place Treasure Chest".

Runn School…Have you considered mentoring a child at Runn School? Call the school for more information or see Barbara Hagen in the church office for an application.

Aurora House…If you would like more information about volunteer opportunities at Aurora House, call 956/973-9690. You do need to complete an application available at the Love of Christ church office.

 

 

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES…

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"The gift of time is priceless."

---Anonymous

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BREAKFAST TACOS

Our breakfast tacos seemed to be well received although it seemed we had less people attending on Easter Sunday. There were many good comments on the breakfast and some suggestions that we do a breakfast brunch once in a while. We have done this in the past in the summer months, but with less mouths to feed, it doesn’t require the kitchen help. I am willing to try this sometimes but need support from the congregation. So, if anyone is willing to help with this project, please contact me.

Bev Ostrander/Vice President

"IN HIS GRACE"

We are a team of Love of Christ members who believe that our Great Physician heals, comforts, grants peace and joy to those suffering from illness, accidents, and the multitude of other challenges believers face in their daily lives.

At your request, we will visit you, share your burden, and earnestly pray with you.

Call Tom Young (956-825/9155)

The Word of God In Us

by Anne Baker, Discipleship/Prayer

John 1 tells us Jesus is the Word.  Jesus came to earth as the Living Word.  Jesus is the Truth, the Life, and the Way.  If this is true, then our relationship with Him comes from knowing Him and understanding Him through the Word of God.  If we don't know the Word then, it would seem we could not know Jesus.  Interesting thought.

The Discipleship/Prayer Team is committed to seek God's direction for Love of Christ in the area of Instruction, Faithbuilding, and Prayer.  We have the responsibility to make sure this Body of Christ has opportunity for inspiring instruction and encouragement to lead and mentor for others what God has taught them. 

This year's Bible Studies have truly been God inspired.  We had an incredible Sunday Study in Romans led by Pastor Paul Rothfusz and Pastor Myron Gram. Wednesdays were over the top with a Study in John led by Pastor Harold, a Study on the Sermon on the Mount led by Pastor Gene Hasselquist, and a Study in Psalm 119 led by Anne Baker.  Those who were able to attend were blessed in so many ways.  The inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the building up and encouragement from each other, the giggles, the prayers, the laughter, the tears, the friendships, the strengthening, the love, the yummy treats!,  the hugs, the Light, the Life, the Truth, the Way....it was an amazing journey we will not forget. 

If you were not able to make this journey with us, think about next fall.  Come be with us. Join in this journey.  You will not be disappointed.  You are promised to meet Jesus in a new and life giving way.

FELLOWSHIP

Coffee and rolls are served in the Fellowship Hall from 10:15 to 10:40AM before the 11AM Sunday service. Everyone is invited.

DON’T FORGET!

Applications are now being taken for Chairperson for the 2009 Runn School Christmas Party! Previous experience NOT necessary! Former chairpersons will share any and/or all information they may have.

Call Joni Young or Jean Wegner

"Thrivent Tidbits"

Thrivent is "alive and well" at Love of Christ Lutheran Church

Since the beginning of January, 2009, we have held two meetings for Thrivent members and associate members. Both were well attended and for that we are thankful. An unofficial census for 2009 was taken of Thrivent members and associates in February and we got a count of 40 people. Much to our surprise the numbers were about equal, members/associates. At the first meeting we put out a request for three new coordinators. By the time we held our second meeting we knew that Paul Rothfusz would be leaving the position he had held for two years. His position was filled by Forrest Zemlicka. "Thanks" to Paul for a job well done and "Congratulations" to Forrest for taking over the position. Our congregation is unusual in the fact that we have most of the Thrivent members and associates with us for only six months (October-March) of the year. The good news is that you can work from (April-September) at your "back home" church and count your volunteer hours up there when you actually are there and when you come down to Texas you can work and count your volunteer hours for Love of Christ. Your Thrivent status travels with you, wherever you are. Since LOC has you the first three months of 2009 and the last three months of 2009, or for however many months (more or less) you are actually with us, this may help you to understand just why we have only two really big events to raise the monies for the projects we support. The first one comes up in March, when we have our "Spring Fling/Polka Service". By mid-January we are told by Thrivent how many dollars we would be eligible to receive for our "Care in Congregations" supplemental funds. We were also told that due to the economy the amounts for the various Care programs were going to be cut by about 20% from last year’s amounts.

For your information, last year we were eligible to receive up to $1300. This meant, if we had at least $1300 after expenses were paid, they would supplement us with $1300. In 2009, our amount we were eligible to receive was $1020. At the time I am writing this I do not have the final figures as to the amount raised at the March event. This happened to be our "9th "Spring Fling"!

Our next really big fund-raising event will be in November when we hold our "Feast of Thanksgiving." This is the time we are raising funds for the annual Runn School Christmas Party and also seeking funds to support The Sharing Place. We have made applications for both events already and are hopeful that because this event comes so close to the end of the year (when Thrivent closes out their books and may still have funding available) we just might get the entire amount or maybe even a bit more than was on our original application.

For your information, last year we requested $1600 for the Runn Party and $1600 for the Sharing Place and were able to raise this amount (after expenses were paid) and have it supplemented with $1600 for each project. The area these funds come from is called "Care Abounds in Communities." If there is a need to have additional funds raised for some smaller project, the same procedure would be followed just like the big projects.

I hope I have been able to answer some questions some of you may have had in regard to as just how this comes together.

NOTE: Just on the chance YOU DO NOT belong to Thrivent and would like to become an associate please call 1-956-565-5571 for more info.

ALSO if you aren’t a Thrivent member or associate you are still invited to work at or help with projects/events and your hours will be counted as volunteer hours just like the members and associates.

FOR ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE WORKED HARD AND LONG ON ANY OR ALL OF OUR PROJECTS WE WANT TO SAY "THANKS"!!!

From your Thrivent coordinators, Chuck Sornson, Forrest Zemlicka and Jean Wegner

P.S. Did you know we have a Chapter Board member with us at Love of Christ? It is C.B. Shields–thanks for all your help C.B.

We are still looking for two "new" to Love of Christ Coordinators.

Feel free to call 1-956-565-5571 and ask for Jean Wegner.

 

WISH LIST

Do you have any ideas for items you feel we need or should have at Love of Christ? Please take this opportunity to let us know. Write them on a note addressed "Wish List" and leave them with the ushers or mail them to the church office or call Jean Wegner (956) 565-5571. The items will be added to the "Wish List." Your ideas are important, so please share them with us.

Happy Stitchers

Have you looked on the bulletin board and seen the picture of where some of the quilts have gone? If not, take time - it certainly makes us all feel that the time we spend on Tuesday mornings is so very rewarding. This season, November 1 to April 1, we’ve made a total of 195 adult quilts and 53 baby quilts. This constitutes approximately 1,700 hours of labor by as many as 18 women and one man.

It also includes all of you who bring us material to sew with. We do have a source for one box of 100 yards of material once a year for the small amount of $25.00 for postage. We are so appreciative of all of it. This means we only have to purchase the batting which comes to around $450.00 a year. This we pay for with the money from the quilt auctions at the Spring Fling. This year it was $402.00. All of you who purchased quilts, etc., also share in this ministry.

This year our quilts went to Mabel’s Clinic in Progresso, Women’s Crisis Center in Harlingen, one baby quilt to the Presbyterian Church baby shower, four to a needy couple, one to a lady in Mexico, two to Children’s Haven in Reynosa and also to Runn School and one to the Women of the ELCA spring meeting. This year we started labeling our quilts as to where they come from. We don’t do this to bring glory to us but to let the recipient know that God loves them and wants to protect them and that we care for their physical needs.

Not only do we have the quilt ministry, but we also have the prayer square ministry. This is a square 12"x12" quilt tied with nine long strips. It is for when someone is ill, having surgery, feeling blue, or just needing a friend. We pass this around, everyone says a prayer, and ties a knot. These have gone into surgery with patients. We also, as you read last month, sent one to President Obama.

So, you can see, we’ve had a busy productive year. Thanks to all who helped in any way.

REMEMBER - we start the third of November. Come join us from 9:00a.m. - 12:00 noon.

Pat Thompson

READING MACHINES

If you, or a loved one, have a vision difficulty that could be helped by the use of our reading machines, please contact Barbara Hagen at the Church office (447-1337). Three reading machines are available to be used by anyone in need of help. The machines are "checked out," much as a library book and returned to the office when no longer needed or if the user does not remain in the Valley during the summer months. There is no charge for this use. If you have a problem picking up the machine from the church office, please make it known to the secretary at the church office and the machine will be delivered to you. This is another ministry of Love of Christ church!

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Church Bulletin Blooper

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

THE LIBRARY

Come and check out the Love of Christ Library! Folks have donated some great reading, videos, and audio tapes. Come and browse or come and bring your donation to the Library, and be an encouragement to the folks at Love of Christ church. The Library is located at the church office, and Barbara Hagen is always willing to help you.

 

THE CHURCH CHOIR!

Choir will suspend for the summer season and resume in the Fall; please plan to join us at that time. You will be most welcome.

PLAN TO BE A MENTOR!

Runn School is always in need of mentors. If you did not mentor this year, or never have done this before, please think about it for the coming Fall season. You will be glad you did! Contact the church office if you are interested.

 

CHURCH PRAYER MINISTRY

If you have any questions about the Love of Christ Prayer Ministry, please speak with or e-mail Betty Piper at bipiper@yahoo.com or Anne Baker at lthspopie2@wabaker.mac.

Are any among you suffering? They should pray….Pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:13&1

 

KNAPP HOSPITAL E-MAILS

Knapp Medical Center, Weslaco, TX, offers a unique e-mail service to family and friends of patients.

Patients in the hospital often do not have energy for personal visits or are too ill to receive company. If you have a computer, you can send an e-mail message of prayer and concern for patients directly to the Knapp Medical Center.

The address is www.knappmed.org.; click on "e-mail a patient" on the right hand side of the screen. Volunteers will deliver the messages to the patient daily.

If you are unable to go to the hospital, this is a wonderful means of communicating without tiring or disturbing the patient.

PRAYER NOTES: Because of our e-mail prayer chain, we received this wonderful note of encouragement from Brigitte and Norman Bedford. THIS is certainly part of what the Body of Christ is all about. Love of Christ, what joy you bring to the Father through your prayers and your praying hearts! I copied this for your encouragement and joy. Read and be blessed!

Anne Baker

Discipleship/Prayer

"My prayers have been sent to our Father in Heaven to guide Paul, Jean, Barbara, George and Carol through a difficult time, my heart goes out to each, as "I" have been there…what a comfort it is to know that there are folks out there to pray for those who are too weak to pray for themselves. This is that extra blanket God puts around us while we are not capable and too weak. This is for Barb… DO NOT GIVE UP…though I understandJ .

I was there seven years ago. I thank God for all the pain and suffering, but he had something else in mind with me…I am a richer person at heart. God is mysterious and thinks a bit different than we…we must trust at all times even if we don’t understand it. Remember, God’s ways are different than ours. It’s all we have to give to comfort each other, HIS WORD, and our support of prayers. HE does the rest J .

***

Feeding your mind is just as important as feeding your body and should be done just as frequently.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Martin Bielke, Jerry Brown, Darlene Bryant, Jeff Giles

Barbara Hagen Larry Johnson, Nicole Johnson, Madly Laux

Don Lipster, Dottie Martin, Chuck Mellor, Bob Miller, Curt Morey

Doug Nelson, Ken Nelson, Jessica Ostrander

Shannon Reuss, Glenna Rothfusz, Paul Rothfusz, Carol Sill

Sandy Sill, Jean Steinbach, Ken Steinbach, Mildred Storhof

Lois Terryn, Carol Tinker, Tom Young

AND…A SPECIAL PRAYER for our men and women of the Armed Forces!

If you wish to request an addition or update to the prayer list, please call Betty Piper,

956/782-3709… or Anne Baker, 956/929-0260.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Would you like to get the prayer requests of Love of Christ? Send an e-mail tolocprayerchain@yahoo.com and you will be included! You can start praying right away! And it’s a FREE subscription!!

 

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Drop a personal note to one of your brothers or sisters in Christ at LOC who celebrates a special occasion this month and let them know how much their presence in our family of faith at LOC means to you.

May Birthdays

05/02 Paul Rothfusz, 05/05 Rueben Baltus, 05/06 Everett Olson

05/09 Francis E. Hill, 05/10 Dorthea Martin, 05/10 Neal Bicknese

05/16 Carl Fredrickson, 05/17 Oliver Bentson, 05/19 Marvin Leer

05/22 Curt Rist,  05/25 Patsy Bicknese, and 05/28 Arne Holm

June Birthdays

06/01 Jean Widenfeld,  06/01 Arlene Lykken, 06/02 Kathy Whitney

06/04 JoAnn Olson, 06/06 Spencer Landswerk, 06/07 Gerald Gieseke

06/11 Marvin Dietz, 06/11 Donald Dress, 06/11 Virginia Rist

06/14 Harvey Nelson, 06/17 Betty Paulsen, 06/19 Donness Dietz

 06/19 Jerry Brown, 06/22 Dick Wegner, 06/23 Lee Story

06/24 Jan Almen, 06/24 Ken Radloff, 06/26 Joni Young

06/28 Katie Leer, 06/29 Sanford Sill

May Anniversaries

05/05 Eugene & Jeanette Fredrick, 05/10 C. B. & Geraldine Shields

05/20 Wayne & Carolyn Holbert, 05/21 C. J. & Sandy Robinson

05/21 Ray & Bev Buechele, 05/22 Rueben & Ruth Baltus and,

05/27 Lee & Bonnie Story

June Anniversaries

06/01 Don & Flora Zweep, 06/03 Harold & Arlys Buland

06/04 Les & Donna Gieseke, 06/06 Harold & Lois Thielmann

06/08 Virgil & Arlys Torgerson, 06/09 Curt & Virginia Rist

06/09 Ken & Jean Steinback, 06/09Duane & Arlene Crawford

06/10 Dave & Louise Wiley, 06/19 Paul & Jean Rothfusz

06/23 Virgil & JoAnn Olson, 06/24 Bob & Rosalie Miller

 and, 06/30 James & Beverly McKibben

We apologize if we’ve missed your special date. Perhaps we do not have your special dates on record, so please let us know your birth or anniversary date!

 

A GENTLE REMINDER

The area in front of the North door of the church is designated for loading/unloading only. The purpose is to make it more friendly for the handicapped from both congregations to worship. Please feel free to use the designated area and then park your vehicle elsewhere in order that others will have access to the same convenience. Thank you so much for your courtesy.

Attractive bumper stickers advertising our church are now available. They can be obtained from the ushers at church services or during the week from Barbara Hagen in the church office. You might want to put one on your car bumper, RV, or golf cart.

Also, if you would like a name tag and logo, please write your name on a card at the usher’s station located at the back of the Sanctuary. One will be made for you and left at the usher’s station.

A Mother’s Prayer

Make me a wise mother, O Lord. Keep me calm and give me patience to bear the small irritating things in daily routine of life. Give me tolerance and understanding to bridge the gulf between my generation and that of my children.

Let me not be too ready to guide my children’s stumbling feet, but allow me to be ever near to bind their bruise. Give me a sense of humor that I may laugh with but never at them. Let me refrain from preaching with words; let me show by example instead.

Keep me from forcing their confidences, but give me a sympathetic ear when my children come to me. Make me humble. Keep my children close to me, O Lord, though miles may separate us. And let Thy light shine upon me that they, too, will perceive Thy Glory. Amen.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE RESTROOM

You will find this restroom beside the church Nursery. Please enter through the Nursery door unless worship is being held in the Sanctuary. If so, you may use the bi-fold doors into the south overflow area from the Fellowship Hall.

 

CHRISTIAN HUMOR

Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days, and, frankly, God was tired of hearing all the bickering.

Finally fed up, God said, "That’s it! I have had enough. I am going to set up a test that will run for two hours; from those results, I will judge who does the better job."

So Jesus and Satan sat down at the keyboards and typed away – they moused, they faxed, they e-mailed, with attachments, they downloaded, did spreadsheets, wrote reports, created labels, cards, charts, and graphs.

Suddenly, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went off!

Satan stared at his blank screen and said some very unkind words; Jesus just sighed.

Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their computers.

Satan searched frantically, screaming: "It’s gone! It’s all gone! I lost everything when the power went out!"

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours; Satan observed and became irate. "Wait!" he screamed. "That’s not fair! He cheated! How come he has all his work, and I don’t have any?"

God just shrugged and said,

JESUS SAVES…..

LOVE NOTES NOW AVAILABLE

ON THE WEB

If you have a computer and have access to Internet, you can now go to the Love of Christ church website (www.loveofchrist.net) and be able to peruse the latest copy of Love Notes at your leisure. When you get to the website, just scroll down the left-side menu items until you see "Love Notes" and double-click on that item. The Love Notes newsletter content will be displayed in a single column format in order to make it easier for you to read it. This means you can review Love Notes from anywhere in the country by having access to a computer with Internet capabilities.

 

Printed By:

Love of Christ Lutheran Church

Worship Address: 300 S. Border

Mail Address: 914 W. 3rd St.

Weslaco, TX 78596

Pastor Robert E. Slade

Love Notes Editor: Linda Cruse

Love of Christ Office: 956/447-1337

Office Administrator: Barbara Hagen

Website: www.loveofchrist.net

E-mail: locmailbox@yahoo.com