February 9, 2010

Christ Lutheran “Church Chat”

Thoughts from Pastor Ron…
The season of Epiphany is drawing to a close, as is our winter Book of Faith Bible study series. We will be handing out surveys in our classes this week to those who were in the various classes to get their feedback on the material, the instructors and the schedule of the classes. My concern is to learn why you did not participate.

Was it the schedules of classes? Would another time or day of the week work better for you? Should these be part of the Sunday morning adult forum?

Was it the topics? Some ideas for the spring sessions (after Lent) are: the book of Numbers, John (this would be a continuation from January and February), Romans, Galatians, 1 John, Lectionary readings from the Book of Revelation, (in)famous people of the Hebrew scriptures (“A Gardener, 2 Travelers, and a Cheat” or “A Prostitute, 2 Prophets, & Poor Ol’ Job”)

Was it the location(s)? Would you rather have the classes organized as small group meeting in homes (would you be willing to host?), at the church(es) (and which one?), or someplace else?

We need your input!

Blessings,
† Pastor Ron  

(Oh – and by the way – speaking of the Sunday morning adult forum… If you missed last week, we are started a brand new topic. We are looking at the books of the Apocrypha. Last week was an overview of the historical context. If you missed it, not to worry – I had a handout and will review that again this coming Sunday. If you have never heard of these writings, that’s OK too! Join us for some funny stories – and some history. Be sure to bring your Bibles – especially ones that have an Apocrypha!)

CHOIR PRACTICE AT 11:30 EVERY SUNDAY DURING LENT

2010 Synod Assembly News No. 1
The 2010 assembly for the Southwest California Synod will be held in Burbank on June 3-5. The congregations voting representatives at the assembly are the pastor and the lay delegates. The number of lay delegates for each congregation is based on the number of active members. We elected *** and **** as our two lay delegates at the December congregational meeting. I will pass on agenda information as soon as it becomes available.

The first item that has been published is the elections, We will be electing the synod council treasurer, secretary and five at-large synod council members. (clergy or lay, male or female). We will also be electing one youth representative (male, 10th – 11th grade). We will also be electing ten voting members to the 2011 churchwide assembly, one at-large position for the endowment committee and one synod council representative from our Channel Islands conference.

Nominations are due in the  synod office no later than 15 Feb 2010. Please check with the office for the detailed job descriptions and nomination forms. If you have any questions, please contact me in the church office, or your synod delegates **** or ***.

† Pastor Ron.  (No, the names *** and **** are not misspelled. We did not have anyone volunteer at the December congregational meeting! How about YOU?)

A Note from Kelly
BFF Thursday 6:30-7:30 PM

Conformation Wednesday 5- 6:15 PM.

Any age of youth call Kelly to hang out one on one or in groups.  (805) 252-4605.  I’ll take you out to frozen yogurt or blenders, my treat!

February Mission Basket:
Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) is a Santa Barbara based shelter whose mission is to “end the intergenerational cycle of domestic violence by providing prevention and intervention services and by challenging society’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviors to effect social change.”  DVS provides a safe and confidential place for battered women and their children, providing emotional support as well as teaching empowerment to victims.  Furthermore, DVS is also the only full service domestic violence shelter in the Santa Barbara area operating 24-hours a day and providing both short-term care, such as its 24-hour helpline, and long-term care, such as its transition house program.  Beyond helping victims of domestic violence, DVS works to educate the community about how to stop and prevent domestic violence.  Donations will go to benefit all of DVS’s outreach and care programs.

Helping Haiti
Lots of confusion for “Helping Haiti” funding raising with respect to writing
checks. So here is some clarification:

1) If you are a Thrivent member (Benefit or Associate) please try to make your
donations online at the following website.  This is the only way to request
matching fund from Thrivent as it must come individually through Thrivent
members.
https://www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti/
2) As a Thrivent member (Benefit or Associate) you may also mail your checks
made out to “Thrivent Financial” directly to Thrivent at the following address.
Please indicate “ELCA Disaster Response-Helping Haiti” along with your
membership ID number in the memo of check.  This method will also achieve matching funds from Thrivent.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Appleton Office
4321 N Ballard Road
Appleton, WI 54919-00001 USA
3) Please do not write checks to “Christ Lutheran” or “ELCA Disaster Response”
if you are a Thrivent member requesting Thriven matching funds for “Helping Haiti” as these checks cannot
be credited for Thrivent matching funds.
4) Finally, if you are not a Thrivent member you may make a check out to
“Christ Lutheran Church” with “Helping Haiti-ELCA Disaster Response”
in the memo. However, these funds will not be matched by Thrivent.

Our Lenten Schedule

Ash Wednesday  12:15 pm and 7:00 pm. This service includes imposition of ashes and                                 Holy Communion
Wednesdays: soup supper at 6:30 pm, Vespers (Holden Evening Prayer) at 7:15pm.
Triduum (the three Holy Days)
Maundy Thursday     7:00 pm      Communion and stripping of the altar
Good Friday          7:00 pm
Easter Vigil (Sat.)      7:30 pm
Easter Sunrise      6:30 am     Invite a friend to join us on the beach for praise,                                 communion, coffee, and muffins!
Easter breakfast      8:30am        This is a fund raiser for our youth Tickets
will go on sale soon. The suggest contribution                                                   is $10 for adults, children under 12 are free, and $5
for guests. Invite a friend for breakfast and worship!
Easter service      10:15 am
All services are here at Christ Lutheran except the sunrise service on the beach.
2010 Flower Chart – Thanks!  Still need a few sign-ups!
Many Thanks to all who signed up recently to provide flowers!  There is still need for a few more sign-ups, especially in the coming 3 months.The beauty of flowers greatly enhances our worship services. Take this opportunity to give thanks to God for all His Blessings, honor a loved one, or to celebrate a special occasion. Then you will have flowers to beautify your home the following week, or you may give them to a friend or shut-in for enjoyment! You may provide your own arrangement or arrange a week in advance for Janet Schoepp or Marsha Honnold to make an arrangement for about $30. Many thanks from the Altar Guild.

FEBRUARY 14 Scripture Readings:
First Lesson:         Exodus 34:29-35        Psalm: 99
Second Lesson:      2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2    Gospel:     Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)

UPCOMING EVENTS
CHOIR PRACTICE EVERY SUNDAY AFTER WORSHIP
Feb. 17    12:15pm    Ash Wednesday Service at CLC
7:00pm    Ash Wednesday Service at CLC
Feb. 21    11:30am    Acolyte Training
Every Wednesday of Lent:
5:00 ConFORMation
6:15 Soup Supper (please see sign-up sheet)
7:00 Holden Evening Worship
Feb, 26-28            Farstrup-Mortensen Lecture Series
Bethania Lutheran Church (see bulletin board for information)

Pastor Ron’s contact information_
Pastor Ron may be reached through the church office (964-2267, the church e-mail (pastor@christlutherangoleta.org), his home e-mail _(ronald_f_cox@hotmail.com) or his cell phone (805-807-5257).  Please use the cell phone or home e-mail for “time critical ” messages or emergencies at any time.  Please contact Pastor directly to schedule meetings.

Jan’s Hours
New hours, Mon, Tues, Wed from 8:30-12:30 and Thurs & Fri, 9- 10.

Servers for February 14
Ushers:    Trowbridges
Greeters:    Dwelleys
Assisting:    Russ Twedt
Acolyte:    Hannah Dwelley
Offertory:    Honnolds
Reader:    Dwain Vanderhoof
Flowers:    Schoepps
Coffee:        Lynette Trowbridge
Counters:    Arleen Twedt and Frank Renda
Cake:        Gerda Knudson
Sacristan:    Julie Vanderhoof