November 18, 2008
Christ Lutheran Church e-news
Pastor Russ’ Reflections
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thirty-one Time and Talent Forms plus 24 Financial Commitment Forms were returned on Consecration Sunday. Thank you! For those who haven’t turned them in yet, you may do so this Sunday. Simply place them in the offering plate.
We have received $845 for God’s Global Barnyard/ELCA World Hunger Program! A $300 matching grant by Thrivent brings the total to $1145! Thank you!! Some boxes may still be out there. Bring them on in!
And have you seen the still growing mountain of non-perishable food around the altar? We’ll be bringing the load to the Grace Lutheran Food Bank next week so this Sunday is “last call.” As you shop for Thanksgiving, remember those who would appreciate a little help. Thank you!!!
Coats, blankets, towels and more have been coming in for the New Beginnings project. Thank you!!!!
And the Shoe Boxes will soon be sent to give to needy children. Thank you again.
We are so thankful the Shoepps are back in their home after the devastating fire. And much appreciation to the Shasbergers for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th mile assistance to displaced Westmont students.
Thankful giving is thankful living.
Pastor Russ
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“Vocalise” - Rachmaninoff
Rebecca Shasberger - Cello
Laverne Lunde - Piano
"Vocalise" - Rachmaninoff [3:45m]:
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Pastor Gordon’s sermon on the 25th chapter of Matthew.
“One Tough Master”
Sermon 2008-11-16 [13:16m]:
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Pastor Russ’ Reflections…
Dear Friends in Christ,
Your Time, Talent and Treasure Commitment Forms were distributed last Sunday or are in the mail. Please look them over carefully. Complete the forms and return them this coming Sunday, November 16th. In a symbolic expression, we will come up to the altar of the Lord to make our commitment in grateful response to the commitment of love and mercy our Lord has made to us. We do so in thankfulness. We do this that the blessings we have received will, in turn, become a blessing for others.
The “mound” of non-perishable food items you have brought has become a “hill”. We have two more Sundays to make it a “MOUNTAIN”. Thank you!
And the “God’s Global Barnyard” coin boxes, the 24+ gift-filled shoe boxes for children, and the items for New Beginnings friends are still coming in. What a harvest for those who have so little! Thank you again!
Someone (not here at CLC) once complained to his pastor, “Pastor, all we ever talk about in this church is ‘give, give, give.’” To which the pastor responded, “Thank you for the best description of the Christian Church I have ever heard.”
Yes, we give. Christ Lutheran is known for it’s giving. But it is thankful-giving.
Pastor Russ
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Pastor Russ’ Reflections…
Dear CLC Friends,
Just as the farmers and vineyard owners around us complete their harvest of grain and grape, apples and avocados, so we also, with thanksgiving, bring the fruits of our labors to the Lord.
This coming Sunday, Nov. 9th, at worship and at the Stewardship luncheon following, we will be emphasizing the blessings we have received from the hand of God this past year as well as God’s dreams for Christ Lutheran in 2009. We will also be hearing from our presiding Bishop, Mark Hanson via DVD. And the Stewardship packets will be distributed at the luncheon. Our pledges of time, talent and treasure will be received the next Sunday, Nov. 16th.
Despite the recent global economic downturn, it is important to continue our strong support for the church, both financially and with our time. Christ Lutheran has been exceptionally blessed with active and generous members. Remember how we raised over $20,000 in a matter of a few months for our new organ? We have just launched a $3000 fundraiser for a new roof for the Ark and to replace tile on the sanctuary and I have no doubt those monies will be in before Christmas. Members are answering the call to assist with our children’s ministry, our property and worship needs, and our expanded cooperative ministry through SALT. Several new proposals are in the works for the coming year. You are invited to be a part of God’s growing work among us.
So, I hope to see you this Sunday. It’s harvest time!
Pastor Russ
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Pastor Russ’ Reflections…
Dear CLC Friends,
Do you know the CLC Mission Statement? From our cottage meetings, we realized that many did not. Well, here it is:
Christ Lutheran Church is a community of believers
helping Christians grow in their understanding
and appreciation of God’s Love.
We experience this gift of love through Jesus Christ
and the Holy Spirit
through joyful worship celebrations
and in caring for each other.
In response to God’s love for us, we seek to make a difference
in the local and global community
by ministering to the needs of our neighbors.
This Mission Statement was adopted back in 1998. I think it expresses very well what I have experienced here at CLC as your pastor for the past 2 1/2 years. This is a very loving community of believers. Our worship is joyful. I have seen lots of mutual caring. And there is a deep concern for the needs of others and for social justice in the community.
Maybe you haven’t memorized this Mission Statement by heart but you are certainly living it in your hearts and by your actions.
It is a pleasure to be your pastor in this important time with you.
Pastor Russ
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Pastor Gordon’s sermon on the 8th chapter of John.
“Truth & Freedom”
Sermon 2008-10-26 [14:48m]:
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Pastor Gordon’s sermon on the 22nd chapter of Matthew.
“The Call To Compassion Is A Call To Action”
Sermon 2008-10-19 [17:14m]:
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Pastor Russ’ Reflections…
Dear CLC Friends,
Under the theme “Go and Do Likewise” from Luke 10:37, CLC has been challenged with 4 Outreach Projects (see below) to help address local and global poverty needs. I continue to be amazed at the generous level of participation by the members of this congregation. For the next 5 Sundays, we are going to witness a growing MOUNTAIN of filled coin and shoe boxes, non perishable food items, and clothing, all for persons in need. And we will do this because we care for the lives of others. As I outlined in last Sunday’s sermon, people of faith offer three levels of response to the needs of others: charitable giving, compassionate involvement, and justice-seeking. The Hebrew word for this response is tzedakah. Charity gives, compassion loves sacrificially, and justice changes the unbalanced situation where the few have much and the many have little.
CLC is gradually becoming known in the Goleta community as a caring church. I want CLC to be known not only as a giving church but that we inspire others to give. That is the true mark of an effective ministry, when others are moved to action by our actions. Like a cup filled to the brim and overflowing, so also our sacrificial loving can spill into the lives of others.
This coming Sunday is Reformation Sunday as we remember how the church of the 16th century was reborn out of concern for the disadvantaged. Perhaps this is the key for the church of the 21st century as well.
Pastor Russ
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Pastor Russ’ Reflections….
Dear CLC Friends,
The two cottage meetings held so far were well attended with great ideas and participation. Two more are scheduled…Sunday, October 26th at noon at the church, and that same Sunday at the Shasbergers at 3:30pm. These cottage meetings are designed to listen to you and your ideas about Christ Lutheran. If you haven’t attended one, come to one of the two remaining meetings.
We are half way through our 4-fold Outreach projects sponsored by the Caring Ministries Board. Bring the little boxes for God’s Global Barnyard in on Sunday, Oct. 26th or later. The 24 people who brought home Shoe Boxes…bring those back in on that date up to the 9th.
This Sunday, we focus on Hunger…local and global. Join us as we continue our month long quadruple effort in caring for those who struggle to subsist in God’s world.
Pastor Russ