Lewiston Church of the Brethren Lifestyle May 2005

Our vision: Bound  together on a journey of faith, we are a Christ-centered community, prayerfully discovering and sharing God’s love.  

Our Mission:  Knowing Christ and making Him known, through worship, growing in faith, community building and service. 

Living Stones

I Peter 2:4-10

            I’ve always been interested in stones.  Not rocks, mind you, not rough-edged rocks, but stones that have been smoothed and shaped by wind and water over eons of time.  I have several of these worn, gently shaped stones around my house, picked up in my travels from different places around the world.

            As I was reading from I Peter this past week I re-discovered a passage that speaks of stones.  I was caught up in how this passage can speak to our church today.  In my NRSV version, verse 5 reads, in part, “Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house.”  Three phrases stand out in this for me.

            First is, “Let yourselves.”  Peter tells us that this is a clear sign of deliberate choice on our part.  We are giving permission to God to use us in a planned and thoughtful way—to work in partnership with God for the work of the kingdom.  God’s plan does not just happen to us—we have to make an active choice to participate in God’s work.

            The second phrase that spoke to me was, “be built into.”  If we are being “built into” something we become a part of that thing that is both bigger than we are as individuals and a part of something that will shape us more than we will shape it.  When I look at some of my stones, I am reminded of rock walls I have seen in parts of the world—where each rock may have once laid isolated in a field, not serving any useful purpose but becoming, instead, a hazard to the farmer’s plow.  But when that rock is moved to the edge of the field, it can become part of low wall surrounding that field, providing protection and setting boundaries.

            The third phrase we find in this passage is “a spiritual house.”  If we chose to allow ourselves to be built into something of God’s planning, then we become a part of something different from and greater  than anything we can imagine on this earth.  We become part of God’s grace and blessing to the rest of the world.

            We are living stones, says Peter, shaped by the water of baptism and the wind of the Spirit.  May we recognize that calling and live it out as we witness and minister in our communities.                   –Sister Cara

           

 May Scripture

5/1             I Peter 3:13-22; Acts 17:22-31

5/8             I Peter 4:12-15; Acts 1:1-11

5/15            I Cor 12:3b-13; Acts 2:1-21

5/22            Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Matt 28:16-20

5/29            Genesis 6:11-22; 7:24; 8:14-19; Matt 7:21-29

 

Summer Schedule Changes

     Come early to worship this summer.  Our worship services will begin at 9:30am during June, July and August. 

     Roger and Joyce Peckover will lead a casual, informal group activity after worship (10:45am) – Roger with the adults and Joyce with the kids.

      Note these schedule changes in your summer plans!

 

 

Faith Ramblin’s

 

Happy Mother’s Day

This month we celebrate Mother’s Day.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!  It seems like everywhere I go and in everything I read, the word purpose keeps jumping out at me. I think God is trying to teach me something.  When we think about our purpose in life, as mothers, how much do we consider the importance of what we do?

 

There’s a difference between a purpose and a calling.  A calling is a specific job that God calls us to do.  Our purpose is always the same—to do right and glorify God.  Purpose encompasses not just our calling in life, but our entire life.

 

Mothers, consider how we glorify God in the way we raise our children.  We may sometimes consider it an insignificant job…the day-to-day routine of raising children.  But, there is nothing insignificant about it.  Mothers help to shape the future.  With every diaper change, every tender hug or kiss, every peanut butter and jelly sandwich, every nurturing word of correction or demonstration of discipline—mothers help shape the lives of the doctors, lawyers, teachers, and preachers to come.

 

The truth is nothing is really unimportant when it comes to glorifying God.  So, as mothers, we will not only fulfill our calling, but we will also inspire hope for a blessed future, as well.

 

It is our prayer that as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we will realize how pleased God must be with Christian mothers and sense the significant impact you are making on your children and the world around you.

 

Keep remembering that God believes in you!  He believes in you so much that He has deposited a portion of His divine potential in you.  If you feel no one else in the world believes in you, God does.  With that confidence, we can do whatever God wants us to do.  We can meet the challenge of raising children in the world today, such as it is. We, as Mothers, can even change the world with our example, our prayer and our patience.  Entrust it to the Lord.

 

In God we trust!

                                          --Linda Risser

 

 

 

 

Natural Church Development

      I wrote in last fall’s Lifestyles about one of the books I had read called Natural Church Development: A Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches.  The idea of this book is that church growth must begin first with a growth in quality and not in numbers.  Healthy churches are growing churches, making more and better disciples in loving obedience to Christ.  Coming up on May 15th, we will meet as a congregation with Duane Grady, our Congregational Life Team Leader.  He will present the ideas of Natural Church Development in more detail and lead us in a survey of our current gifts and skills.  Please plan to attend this important meeting that will follow our scheduled Fellowship meal.                               –Sister Cara

 

 


Mother-Daughter Event

Is May 14th

      On Saturday, May 14th our annual Mother-Daughter Event will be held in the fellowship hall.  Breakfast will be served at 9:30 am with a variety of egg dishes, fresh fruit, breads, juice and coffee.

      Four young ladies who participated in a mission trip to Children’s Vision International (CVI) in Bogata, Columbia, South America, in February will tell of us of their experiences and share a video of CVI’s ministry.

      Please sign up in the narthex if you are able to bring food, as well as how many guests you will be bringing.  All are invited to attend.

 

Hold in prayer.......

….Matt Bollinger for recovery of kidney stones.

….National and world leaders that they seek God’s wisdom in their leadership and work for peace and justice for all people.

     Because we have different ways of expressing our prayer requests and different needs for expression, we ask that you submit any prayer requests you wish to have listed in the bulletin and in the Lifestyle newsletter to the office in writing or via phone. Also notify the office when you wish to have that request removed or moved to “Thanks be to God” as we celebrate answered prayer.  Let us continue to make prayer a priority in our congregational life!

 

 

Thank you….

…to everyone who helped clean the church and fellowship hall, do lawn work and make repairs.

 

Serving us in May

Ushers:                  R/M Lee

Greeters:                W/G Schossow

Jr. Ushers:             1              Parker Cage

8              Bethany Dahl

15            Elizabeth Lee

22            Daniel Dahl

29            Parker Cage

Worship Leader:                  Todd Cage

Worship Team:     1              Judy, Uli, Jess         

                8              Diane, Linda, Jess

                15            Diane, Linda, Roger

22            Cliff, Sue, Karen

29            Cliff, Sue, Karen

Special Music:      1              Diane Radatz

                                8              Elizabeth Lee

                                15            Bethany Dahl

22            Linda Risser

29            Roger, Gordon, Jess, Cliff

Children’s Story:  1             Judy Mill

15                 Uli Schorn-Hoffert

                29            Millie Bollinger

Children’s Church:

                   1, 15 & 29            No Children’s Church                                  8 & 22            Gordon Hoffert

Nursery:                   1            Linda Risser

                                 8             Fran Bockenhauer

                                15            Marilyn Sanders

22            Linda Dahl

29            Penny Wilson

Fellowship Meal:                  R/D Radatz & C/C Radatz

 

     

Camp Pine Lake

     It is time to start thinking about sending children, grandchildren, yourselves to Camp Pine Lake.  Counselors are needed as well!  Please consider giving of your time to serving as a counselor this summer at Camp Pine Lake.
 
     Camp schedule:
Primary Overnight
Completed K-2 (must be accompanied by adult)  
Friday July 15, 6:30pm-Saturday, July 16, 3pm  $30 per person
Middler
Completed Grades 3-5
Monday, July 11, 10am- Friday, July15, 10am
$160 per person
Junior Youth
Completed Grades 6-8
Monday, June 13 10am – Saturday, June 18, 10am
$190 per person
Senior Youth
Completed grades 9-12
Monday, July 18, 10am-Saturday, July 23, 10am
$190 per person
For more information, see Joyce Peckover.
 
 
A New Way to Give
    Save time, simplify your life, support the church!  Building the kingdom of God on earth requires faith, commitment, and resources.  That is why your consistent support is so important!
     Our new Electronic Contribution Program is an automatic funds transfer program that will allow you to make contributions without ever having to lift a pen to write a check or reach into your wallet for cash.
     Here’s how it works.  You authorize a specified amount to be electronically transferred directly from your checking account or savings account to the church account.  You also specify the frequency of the transfer to allow you to keep your check register up to date. 
     It is fast, safe and easy!  The electronic transfer will cost you nothing.  You save the cost of the check.  The church will issue you a donation statement for your tax records, and your bank statements will provide you with a record of transfer as additional proof of your contribution.
    Of course you can cancel your authorization of transfer at any time by notifying us in writing.  But we believe that once you have enjoyed the convenience and savings of this program, you won’t want to go back to the “old-fashioned” way of contributing to our church.
      See Todd Cage for the easy one-step enrollment forms.  It’s good stewardship!
 

 

 

May  Birthdays & Anniversaries

2      Mildred Bollinger

 5     Bethany Dahl

 6     Sara Laqua

 8     Joel Risser

13    Lauren Borkowski

17    Cleeson Mill

23    Sue Bollinger

24    Roger Sanders

26    Avys Boynton

29    Jim & Linda Risser

     

 

APRIL ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING

Date        S. School    SS offering   Worship         *Worship

            Attendance     Offering     Attendance         Offering

3rd………19………..$47.05………..29………….$890.00

10th  …....16…………18.00………..39……….…..847.00

17th …….21……..…..42.55……..…35………….1,097.00

25th  ……24……..…..18.85…..…….40................1,012.00

Ave…….20………....$31.61…….…36………….$961.50   

*$1,560.00—projected need for our ministries each week.

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly—above what we can imagine.  
 
 
 
 

May Mission Outreach –

Minnesota Council of Churches
     Our mission offering on May 15 will support Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC).  MCC is a community of churches who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  As such, it seeks to manifest within the state of Minnesota, the unity of the Church in Christ.  Relying on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, the council works to bring its members into life-giving fellowship and into common witness, study, and action to the glory of God and in service to all creation.
     Pastor Cara serves on the council as a representative of Northern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren.  MCC's identity:  related in Christ and through Christ to the world.   Their mission:  to manifest unity in the church and to build community in the world.

    Recently we reported the MCC's response to the Red Lake tragedy and included this address for donations: 
Red Lake Nation Memorial Fund

Red Lake Band of Chippewa

P. O. Box 574

Red Lake, MN 56671
     Other current projects of Minnesota Council of Churches include the following:
· Minnesota Indian Ecumenical Ministry   -- a program designed to listen and to build bridges between the American Indian cultures and other cultures in Minnesota
· Refugee Services Program  Despite the dramatic changes after Sept 11, 2001, Refugee Services continues its commitment to "welcoming the stranger" and the biblical mandates of hospitality and being one's brother's keeper.  Helping new arrivals from war-torn regions find housing, employment and other needs in the Twin Cities areas
· Rural Life Initiative   -- gathers denominational leaders from throughout Minnesota to collaborate on responses to the crises facing people in greater Minnesota
· Leadership for the Common Good    --  seeks to renew effective, widespread Christian understanding, engagement and influence in the public square on matters fundamental to biblical tradition and important to the common good
· Committee to end Sexual Misconduct within the Religious Community   --their mission as people of faith is to respond and advocate within religious institutions to end sexual misconduct both by intervention in current and past cases and by prevention of future cases
· Unity and Relationships   --works to bridge the differences and find the common good through ecumenical work among Christians and interfaith dialogues and activities with Muslims,  Hindus, Jews, Buddhists and those of other faiths
     To learn more about Minnesota Council of Churches, log on to mnchurches.org.

 

Are you between the ages of 18-35???

      Young Adult Conference is May 27-29!
 We hope that YOU will join us at Camp Woodland Altars for a fun-filled, spirit-filled, fellowship-filled, Jesus Christ-filled, padare-filled, God-filled, freetime-filled, worship-filled TIME!  

     Our theme this year is "Provoking Love and Good Deeds!"  Come explore Hebrews 10:24 in more depth..."And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” (NRSV)

     For more details, & To Register Now: http://www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/yac.htm
 

 

 

 

Bible Study
     Our Bible reading sessions will continue reading a chapter a week, with discussions taking place once a month.
      Take this opportunity to spend more time reading God's word and applying it to daily living.  Allow God's Spirit to speak to you through the scriptures and through our discussions, as we learn and grow together.  
     Our study will be on 2 Corinthians, with the following schedule:
week 1 – May 2 – 2 Corinthians 6
week 2 – May 9 – 2 Corinthians 7
week 3 -  May 16 - 2 Corinthians 8
week 4 -  May 25 - 2 Corinthians 9
week 5 -  May 30 - 2 Corinthians10.

 

National Cancer Survivors Day

      Cancer Survivors from this area, their families and friends, are invited to participate in the 18th Annual Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 5, 11:30 am-3:30 pm at Mayo Civic Center Auditorium in Rochester.

      The celebration will include a catered lunch followed by a program, carnival games, bingo and door prizes.  Local music performers will provide entertainment.

      The celebration is free, but reservations are required by Friday, May 20, phone 287-2044.

 

Because Christ lives!

     Bound together on a journey of faith, we are a Christ-centered community, prayerfully discovering and sharing God’s love.  That’s our congregation’s vision.

 

     It’s not a statement written on some dusty document hidden away in a drawer, but underlines who we are as a community of believers here together.  It is a living vision statement.  We share a journey of faith as we share in life together.  

 

      At our Easter Sunrise service, we were asked to express when we feel most alive.  We share some of those responses to help us understand and share life, discovering and sharing God’s love.

 

I feel most alive:

·         when I am able to help people learn new things

 

·         when I’m with family and my church family

 

·         in my work in Mexico, helping build houses and churches

 

·         being out camping with family enjoying the activity of working together around the camp site and hiking through God’s great handiwork

 

·         when family is all together and all is well

 

·         when my boys and I spend a fun day together

 

·         when doing things for my family – cooking, baking, getting together, etc.

 

Stay tuned for more responses in next month’s Lifestyle!

 

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow;

Because He lives, all fear is gone.

Because I know Who holds the future –

And life is worth the living, just because he lives!”        (-  Bill and Gloria Gaither, 1971)

 

Mother’s Day message

 

A newspaper columnist recently invited seventy-five fourth and fifth graders to submit the words they most like to hear their mothers say.  Here are the five big winners:
1. "I love you"
2. "Yes"
3. "Time to eat"
4. "You can go"
5. "You can stay up late"
The following were some other favorites:
"I'll help you"
"Your friend can spend the night"
"You can go out and play"
"You can sleep in.  How was your day" You were good tonight.  I'm glad I have you"
"I've got a surprise for you"
"Let's go for a walk"
"You're the best kid in the world"
"Do you want to visit Grandma?"
"I'm sorry"

What a very special collection of words!  We can be sure they will be remembered long after "brush your teeth!"  "Clean your room!" and "It's your turn to load the dishwasher!"

When I meditate on the Lord, the words I most love to hear are words of love and consolation that encourage me to be all I can be for Him:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee"
(Isaiah 26:3)

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which heath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ"
(Philippians 1:6)

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to this will, he heareth us"        (I John 5:14)

Listening to the kind words of the Lord today will affect our own speech and teach us how to bless others with our mouth.
- Panther Portal, Panther Creek COB;From The 5-Minute Devotional, 1991, Zondervan

Brethren Volunteer Service

     Brethren Volunteer Service was started in 1948.  It was the one of the first organized volunteer programs of any kind, either faith-based or secular.

     Brethren Volunteer Service continues to seek volunteers.  They want to make the next 50 years as successful as the last 50.  Whatever the project, volunteers are changed forever.  The BVS experience pushes volunteers to reach beyond themselves, to risk something new, to live simply and work in areas of the world where the need is great.  Some say that BVS has “ruined” them for life.

     Dan West, the gray eminence behind BVS’s beginnings, the inspiration to a generation of BVSers in training, Brethren visionary, prophet, and gadfly, once said that it was painful for him to hear someone say, “I was a BVSer”.  For Dan the goals of BVS was to make service a part of the outward expression of our Christian faith over a lifetime.

     The 2005 BVS project booklet describes service opportunities in these areas:

Children, youth/young adults, senior citizens, community services, farm workers, disabled persons, agriculture, hunger/homelessness, prisoners and the prison system, refugees/human rights, peace/justice, domestic violence, housing, health care, outdoor ministries, community organizing/development/advocacy, education/teaching, environment, congregations/districts, and miscellaneous!

     BVS orientations are designed to prepare and strengthen volunteers for a life of service in BVS and beyond.  The goals are to encourage volunteers to:

·         share and examine their personal beliefs and values with the intent of growing in their understanding of themselves, others, and God

·         share in the responsibilities for group life while learning what helps and what hinders satisfying group living

·         struggle with the prevalent spiritual and social issues of our day and examine Christian ethical responses to current social, political, and economic issues

·         learn ways to live simply and responsibly with the world’s limited resources

·         become more aware of people and situations throughout the world, including

responsibilities of membership in the global family

·         explore ways to enable personal and societal change that embody mutuality and nonviolence

·         consider project possibilities with the support of the orientation community and finalize project assignments through discussions with the BVS staff

·         develop a BVS community of support and learn ways to develop local support for themselves while at the project

      Orientations are scheduled for various times this year and next.  The 2005 project booklet is in the narthex for your review.

 

 

 

National Youth Conference 2006

      The 2006 NYC is scheduled for July 22-27, 2006, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.  The theme for the conference will be “Come and See” based on John 1:39.  “NYC is an invitation for all youth to come and see who God is and who God is calling us to become – as individuals, as the Church of the Brethren, as people of God living in a broken world,” reported the coordinators.

      As information becomes available, details will be posted on the website www.nyc2006.org.

 

 

 

Deacons Potluck Picnic

      Deacons will share in a potluck picnic at Farmer’s Park on Sunday, May 22nd following worship (weather permitting).  Bring lawn chairs, table service and a dish to share.  Those who can are invited to stay following the meeting for some fun and games.

 

Women’s Bible Study –

Praying the Psalms

      Joy.  Anger.  Distress.  Hope.  Trust.  These are some of our heart cries to God.  And they are feelings that are expressed in the Psalms.  Our study will help us learn how to openly express the full range of our emotions to God and allow Him to meet our needs.  Wednesday mornings at 8:30  at the Church.

 

Youth Fundraising Meal

      Stay for a yummy lunch served by our youth on Sunday, May 29th following worship.  Proceeds benefit youth ministries such as National Youth Conference, Work Camps, etc.

 

 

 

 

Mennonite World Relief Sale

      Saturday, May 14, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, MN—free admission and parking.

      Amish and Mennonite Quilts auctioned…

woodcrafts…baked goods…children’s activities… fairly traded handicrafts from Ten Thousand Villages, artisan markets and much more!

      Proceeds go to Mennonite Central Committee.  MCC’s work around the world includes hunger relief, economic development, local response to the Asian earthquake and a commitment to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

      See poster and flyers in narthex.

 

 

Congregational Health and Vitality
     Pastor Cara has written several newsletter columns about the principles of Natural Church Growth.  The ideas are meant to answer the question, "what are the essential qualities of a healthy, growing church?"
     Duane Grady, from Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Team ministry, will be with us 2 times this summer to lead us in the process of determining the health and vitality of our congregation and where God is leading us in ministry through the strengths and gifts He has given us.
     On May 15, Duane will be with us and will direct a survey we will take after the May fellowship meal.  This information will guide his discussion with us at our outdoor event August 20-21.
      Please plan to stay after the fellowship meal and participate in the survey.  Your opinions, thoughts and input are valuable and invited!

 

Exploring Your Call

      Bethany Theological Seminary has scheduled an Exploring Your Call event at the Richmond campus for 2005 on August 4-9, EYC is an opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to consider issues of faith and vocation.  Russell Haitch, Assistant Professor of Christian Education and Director of the Institute for Ministry With Youth and Young Adults, will oversee the 2005 event.  Youth accepted into this year’s event will have all their tuition and living expenses covered by a grant.  Brochures and information are available by Email (yya@bethanyseminary.edu) or by calling the Seminary at 800-276-8822, extension 1815.

 

 

 

Annual Conference 2005

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

The church has always been in need of a call to remember Jesus.  Sometimes the need came about because of persecution; sometimes there was heresy; sometimes there were distractions; always there was/is the temptation to focus on ourselves….The book of Hebrews calls a group of Christians to reconsider Jesus.  In the midst of their persecution and questions the writer asks them to take another look at Jesus; to consider Him.  I’m convinced such an exercise would be good for us.  Therefore, I’m going to challenge every member of the denomination to read a gospel every month between now and Peoria.  The theme for the 2005 Annual Conference in Peoria, Illinois, originally proposed by me, that has now been affirmed by the Program and Arrangements Committee, is “Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus.”  The primary text for the theme can be found in Hebrews 12:1-4.

                                                 --Jim Hardenbrook

                                Annual Conference Moderator

 

 

Shepherding Groups
     The Deacons continue to emphasize caring for one another and finding ways to strengthen relationships with one another and with God.
    Recently small groups from the congregation were designated as shepherding groups for each deacon.   The purpose of these groups is to strengthen relationships within the congregation, making more frequent contacts, and paying special attention to those in that specific group.
    Responsibilities include praying for those in the group, planning hospitality occasions, inviting to congregational events, sending notes, emails, noticing absences and making contacts, being intentional and proactive about providing care and support,  identifying caregiving needs and notifying Pastor Cara and visiting deacons.
      So don't be surprised if you hear from us in new and more frequent ways!  And please don't hesitate to come to any one of us with questions, needs, or just to chat!  Our deacons include Fran Bockenhauer, Cliff and Sue Bollinger, Todd and Beth Cage, Uli Schorn-Hoffert, Mary Lee, Judy Mill, Roger and Joyce Peckover, Frances and Cleyson Plank, Jim and Linda Risser, Penny Wilson and Minnie and Purdy Wright.