Thoughts from Pastor Ron…

There was a great deal of concern in the early 16th century over how much the people really understood about the Christian faith and the changes in teaching and theology that were taking place as a result of the reformation movement. The Small Catechism was not written to be used by the pastors for teaching teenagers! It was written to be used by the head of the household. The Small Catechism includes the basic teachings on the commandments, creed, Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, private confession and absolution, and Communion. It also includes instruction on daily prayers, tables of duties and Christian questions to be asked by the local priest of all during private confession before they came for the Sacrament of the Altar.

The Large Catechism was written for the pastors, and was to be used by them for their own study and as an aid to their preaching. It also lays out what they were to required of the head’s of the households in their parish:  “Anyone who does not know it should not be numbered among Christians and should not be admitted to any sacraments.  For this reason young people should be thoroughly taught the parts of the catechism and diligently drilled in their practice. It is the duty of the head of the household at least once a week to examine the children and servants one after the other and ascertain what they  know or have learned if they do not know it, to keep them faithfully at it. (Preface to the Large Catechism, 1529)

Is here the same concern today over how much people really understand about the Christian faith?  Have you ever really thought about the difference between “you must do …” and “now I can do …”?

May this season of Lent be a special blessing to you and your family.

Shalom
† Pastor Ron 

LET’S EAT!
Don’t forget the soup supper before Vespers – and invite a friend out to dinner! Who will you bring this week?

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
The farewell reception you all had for me on Sunday was the best ever.  Dwain, your song was so perfect, you guys really do know me! Thank you for it and also thank you for the very generous monetary gift.  I will use some of it for a GPS so I won’t get lost on my travels.  I’ll be back from this first jaunt in a couple of weeks and will be back among you.  Your prayers  have made this transition in my life so much easier.  It will all be very different.

All my love, Jan

PROCESS FOR GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT YOUR SPECIAL EVENTS OR MEETINGS
Please mark the Church calendars (in the fellowship hall or church office) regarding any committee meetings or special events that you would like to have promoted to the congregation.
You may also send your requests to Tracey at office@christlutherangoleta.org and I will make sure they are added into the Church Chat e-news and the bulletin.

PLEASE NOTE:  TIME OF SUNDAY WORSHIP HAS CHANGED TO 10:15 am

SPRING FORWARD TIME CHANGE WILL TAKE PLACE 3-14!

Vacation Bible School is coming!
It’s not too late to start planning – and getting the word out to family, friends and neighbors.  VBS  is both for our own children and an evangelism outreach to the community.

We are currently planning two (yes 2!) VBS opportunities this summer.  The first will be July 12th to the 16th.  This will be a half-day session with Light and Life Goleta.  The cost is $50 per child.  The second is from the Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conference.  This is an all-day program and the cost is $95 per child.

Both programs are for K-6th grade.  We need helpers (youth and adults!) for the July camp.  This is a great opportunity for our junior and senior high to play and work with young children from our churches and community.  LRCC supplies all the materials and camp counselors for the August camp.  All we have to do is house the counselors and feed them while they are here.

Please contact Beth Lee, Sarah Shasberger, Kelly or Pastor Ron for more details – and to volunteer.

CHILE
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile February 27, the biggest to rattle the country in 50 years.  The ELCA has already been in contact with companions in Chile in support of their response.  ELCA Disaster Response is working with and through two historical companions with presence in earthquake affected areas:  Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana en Chile), is a church that carries out its mission in the context of  people living in situations of poverty and marginalization including work in Concepcion and Santiago.  Education Popular en Salud started as an emergency response organization, EPES is now a leader for access and provision of systematic community health services.  Donations for the Lutheran Disaster Relief efforts in Chile may be made on the ELCA website (www.elca.org).

PPC’s Financial Stewardship Recommendations
Stewardship Investment Recommendations  Option 1 – Wesleyan Investments
Description: Up to $250K will be invested into 3-year CDs through Vanguard (2.85% per year)
maximizing what can be protected by FDIC insurance, while the remainder will be invested in Wesleyan Investment Foundation (3.53%). Their mission statement is as follows:
“Wesleyan Investment Foundation exists for the purpose of providing loans to churches and church related entities in the Wesleyan tradition so they can be better equipped to reach their communities for Christ.” Comments: Larry Moore has responded (see attached e-mail) discussing the risks involved in taking this investment route. The key advantages of this investment plan is that the Wesleyan Investment Foundation (WIF) option would act as a savings account, not a CD, so (1) we could withdraw money at any point, (2) interest earned would also earn interest, (3) we could invest the interest from the Vanguard account at any time, and (4) withdraw the money at any time in the next three years. In the first year, this investment scheme would earn $16,455.70 ($519,000 used for Housing Fund value). Reinvestment of the total interest in the WIF (assuming no interest is used to balance the budget) would earn $17,026.23 the second year and $17,627.26 the third year.

Recommended Investment Scheme:
$250,000 in Vanguard 36 Month CDs
Investment of the remaining funds in WIF

Option 2 – Investment in ELCA Mission Funds
Description: Up to $250K will be invested into 3-year CDs through Vanguard (2.85% per year)
maximizing what can be protected by FDIC insurance, while the remainder will be invested in ELCA Mission Funds (3.00%). The ELCA Mission Funds help to build new churches and have helped build Christ Lutheran. Investment in this fund would be reciprocation of the help CLC received.  Comments: This investment scheme is similar to investing all of the earnings into a 3-year CD through Vanguard. As the funds will be tied up for three years, a reserve fund of up to $10,000 should be kept in short term (6-12 month) CDs (1.5%) through Santa Barbara Bank and Trust in the even the unforeseen should happen, viz., paying for unexpected expenses. After the first year, the interest earned would be $16,317.25 ($519,000 assumed for Housing Fund). Assuming none of the interest is spent and the earned interest is reinvested in 6 month CDs the interest earned the second and third years would be $16,810.44 and $17,318.53, respectively.

Recommended Investment Scheme:
$250,000 in Vanguard 36 Month CDs
$10,000 in six month CDs through Santa Barbara Bank and Trust
Investment of the remaining funds in the ELCA Mission Fun

A NEW HOME FOR LUCKY
Lucky was Henry and Natalie Penner’s beloved 15 lb. Miniature Pinscher.  Lucky is a very cute, playful and happy dog, He is brown and has all of his vaccinations.  He is great around children, but prefers to be with adults.  Lucky is between 8 and 10 years old, and has a lot of life left in him.  Henry and Natalie would be so happy to know that Lucky has found a new home.  Please help us to find that perfect home for him.  I can be reached at (805) 202-9907, or (760) 219-2822.  My email address is:  henryjpenner@yahoo.com

A Note from Kelly
No confirmation class week.  Wednesday 5:00-6:15 pm Junior and High School students fun surprise for Good Friday, in place of Confirmation.  BFF (Being Faithful Followers) Thursday 6:30-7:30 (elementary school Bible study.)  Sunday School at Goleta Coffee Company at 9:10 for High School and Junior High School students.  Love Our Lord (LOL) Youth Group Sunday night 6-8 pm at Trinity Lutheran.  One-on-Ones with Kelly…Call her to hang out and go out to frozen yogurt (805) 252-4605.

MARCH/APRIL MISSION BASKET THRIVENT MATCHING FUNDS:
Thrivent Financial will provide matching funds up to $1200 for our Food Pantry fundraiser. The Grace Lutheran Food Pantry has been a long-term mission of Christ Lutheran Church.
Serving the Santa Barbara area, the Food Pantry has had a profound impact on the community.  CLC now volunteers to help with food distribution once a month. Cash donations are now encouraged since we learned that the Food Bank purchases most of the food they distribute and are able to purchase $7 worth of food for each $1 donated – which means they are able to
purchase more food per $1 than we can at the grocery store.

Food Bank money donated the 4th Sundays of January through May will also be included in this fund raiser.   Canned and boxed food donations on the 4th Sunday of the month are still very welcome and much appreciated.

LET’S EAT!
Eggs, muffins, coffee, juice, … chocolate Easter eggs …. what is your favorite breakfast? Invite a friend out to breakfast on Easter Sunday – at the beach or at the church – or both! Who will you bring?

Our Lenten Schedule
ALL Wednesdays of Lent  3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24:
6:30 pm,     Soup Supper
7:15 pm    Vespers (Holden Evening Prayer)
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.
FLOWERS FOR “CELEBRATION OF EASTER”
Flowers will be needed for our special Easter week services.  We are in need of flowers for:
- Cross for Sunrise Service & Narthex:  Please bring cut flowers – calla lilies, daisies, gerberas, orchids, and other colorful flowers to decorate our very special “Beach Cross”.
-10:15 am Worship Service – Please share your Easter lilies, beautiful flower arrangements, palms and plants to beautify the sanctuary for the 10:15 am “Celebration of Easter” Worship Service.
- Bring flowers to the Fellowship Hall on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Saturday morning (April 3).  Then after worship, remember to take you plants and flowers home to enjoy, or take them as a gift to some who was not able to be with us.  Thank you SO MUCH!!!

APRIL AND MAY CELEBRATION CAKES ARE STILL OPEN.  PLEASE SIGN UP IN THE NARHEX IF YOU’D LIKE TO CLAIM THESE SPECIAL MONTHS

MARCH 7  Scripture Readings:
First Lesson:         Joshua 5:9-12                    Psalm:               32
Second Lesson:    2 Corinthians 5:16-21        Gospel:           Matthew 3:13-17

UPCOMING EVENTS
CHOIR PRACTICE EVERY SUNDAY BEFORE
WORSHIP SERVICE (9:45)
Every Wednesday of Lent:
3/10/ 3/17 and 3/24
5:00 ConFORMation
6:30 Soup Supper (please see sign-up sheet)
7:15 Holden Evening Worship

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.