september 2018 editionvolume no. 0918 god s work, our
TRANSCRIPT
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 www.lordoflifeaustin.org Hours Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm
September 2018 Edition Volume No. 0918
God’s Work, Our Hands
Inside this issue: “GOD’S RAG-TAG ARMY” by Martin Bell
I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail!
As we look to get going again in the Fall of the year, I offer this story from “The Way of
the Wolf” by Martin Bell. Enjoy this image of God’s church, of you and me.
I think God must be very old and very tired. Maybe he used to look splendid and fine in his general’s uniform, but no more. He’s been on the march a long time, you know. And look at his rag-tag little army! All he has for soldiers are you and me. Dumb little army. Listen! The drum beat isn’t even regular. Everyone is out of step. And there! You see? God keeps stopping along the way to pick up one of his tinier soldiers who decided to wander off and play with a frog, or run in a field, or whose foot got tangled in the underbrush. He’ll never get anywhere that way. And yet, the march goes on.
Do you see how the marchers have broken up into little groups? Look at that group up near the front. Now, there’s a snappy outfit. They all look pretty much alike-at least they’re in step with each other. That’s something! Only they’re not wearing their shoes. They’re carrying them in their hands. Silly little band. They won’t get far before God will have to stop again.
Or how about that other group over there? They’re all holding hands as they march. The only trouble with this is the people on each end of the line. Pretty soon they realize that one of their hands isn’t holding onto anything-one hand is reaching, empty, alone. And so they hold hands with each other, and everybody marches around in circles. The more people holding hands, the bigger the circle. And, of course, a bigger circle is deceptive because as we march along it looks like we’re going someplace, but we re not. And so God must stop again. You see what I mean? He’ll never get anywhere that way!
If God were more sensible he’d take his little army and shape them up. Why, whoever heard of a soldier stopping to romp in a field? It’s ridiculous. But even more absurd is a general who will stop the march of eternity to go and bring the soldier back. But that’s God for you. His is no endless, empty marching. He is going somewhere. His steps are deliberate and purposive. He may be old, and he may be tired. But he knows where he’s going. And he means to take every last one of his tiny soldiers with him. Only there aren’t going to be any forced marches. And, after all, there are frogs and flowers, and thorns and underbrush along the way. And even though our foreheads have been signed with the sign of the cross, we are only human. And most of us are afraid and lonely and would like to hold hands or cry or run away. And we don’t know where we are going, and we can’t seem to trust God-especially when it’s dark out and we can’t see him! And he won’t go on without us. And that’s why it’s taking so long.
Listen! The drum beat isn’t even regular. Everyone is out of step. And there! You see? God keeps stopping along the way to pick up one of his tinier soldiers who decided to wander off and play with a frog, or run in a field, or whose foot got tangled in the underbrush. He’ll never get anywhere that way! And yet, the march goes on…
In the name of Jesus,
Pr. Skip
Message from Pastor 1
Global Initiatives 2
Prayer List 2
Sunday Readings 2
Baptisms 2
God’s Generosity 2
Sunday Worship 2
Birthdays/Anniversaries 2
Members Expectations 3
Summer of Service 3
Education News 4
Kindred Sisters 5
Office Closed 6
Care Calendar 6
Texas Ramps 6
Men’s Breakfast 6
Backpack Blessing Pics 7
Celebration Sunday Pics 7
Upcoming Events 8
Friends & Family Sunday 8
New Music Program 8
Pride Parade Pics 9
Council Minutes 10
Save-the-Dates 10
State of the Church 10
Worship Leaders 11
Calendar 12
Birthdays: Lyn Caldwell 09/08 Clayton Wachsmann 09/08 Dave Smith 09/11 Lee Penland 09/12 Monica Kaloustian 09/15 Courtney Warnsman 09/17 Diane Saegert 09/18 Janet Krejci 09/21 Lauren Brown 09/23 Jon Wolski 09/25 Melinda Prather 09/26 John Duarte 09/28 Zackery Klotz 09/28 Stacey Mathews 09/28
PRAYER LIST
Angie Parr, Ilamay Bartholomew,
Herman Haenel, Peggy Suggs,
Ilene Dunn, Dorothy Holcomb, Roger Adamson, Mary Vaughn, Chanel Cobb, Kira Niedert,
Fred & Mycah Klinker, Michael Chudej, Ellen Harrison,
Bill & Cathy Czajkowski Salem Lutheran Church
Gale Rickers Brittany Crawford
Yates Crawford Velebil Monica Wolf
Barbara Dailey John Paul Crawford
Kristi Gilbeaux Edith Swartz Larry Adams
Joy Waggoner
SUNDAY READINGS
Sept 2 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 15 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 13-15, 21-23 Sept 9 Isaiah 35:4-7a Psalm 146 James 2:1-17 Mark 7:24-37 Sept 16 Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 116:1-9 James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38 Sept 23 Jeremiah 11:18-20 or Wisdom 1:16-2:1,12-22 Psalm 54 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37 Sept 30 Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19:7-14 James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50
GLOBAL INITIATIVES
www.elca.org/global-links Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA, we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is available on our website under “Giving”, so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the world for Christ.
BAPTISM FESTIVALS
Anyone who has not been baptized is invited to come and “wade in the waters” of eternal life. Please contact Pr. Skip for a pre-baptism appointment. The Baptism Festivals for 2018 are:
Holy Cross Day, September 16 All Saints’ Day, November 4
Contact Pr. Skip as soon as possible concerning which day works best for you.
Anniversaries:
Gilbert & Melinda Prather 09/03 Keri & Matthew Gold 09/18 Pr. Skip & Felicia Wachsmann 09/21 Hodges & Eun Ju Martin 09/24
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RESPONDING TO GOD’S GENEROSITY
Giving freely of what has been freely given to us
Unconditional LOVE, FORGIVENESS, ALL that WE HAVE
LOVE GOD, LOVE ONE ANOTHER and OURSELVES
FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER and OURSELVES
GIVE GENEROUSLY from our BLESSINGS
Time Talent Treasure OUT OF THANKS for each.
GIVE UNTIL YOU FEEL GOOD
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES STARTS SUNDAY, SEPT 2ND
AT 9:30AM Please mark your calendars and be there every week as we strive to build community studying God’s word together.
Youth will meet in their classrooms as follows: 2 yrs—Pre-K will meet in the nursery for study and play with Ms. Tealithia. Kinder through 5
th grade will meet in the Elementary Room.
Middle/High School Youth will meet in the High School Room.
ADULTS WILL CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING:
“Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People” by Nadia Bolz-Weber
WHAT IF THE PERSON YOU’VE BEEN TRYING TO AVOID IS YOUR BEST SHOT AT GRACE TODAY? AND WHAT IF THAT IS THE POINT?
God keeps showing up in the least likely of people—a church-loving agnostic, a drag queen, a felonious Bishop, and a gun-toting member of the NRA. In a time when many have rightly become disillusioned with Christianity, Accidental Saints demonstrates what happens when ordinary people share bread and wine, struggle with scripture together, and tell each other the truth about their real lives. This unforgettable account of their faltering steps toward wholeness will ring true for believer and skeptic alike.
THIS CLASS WILL MEET IN THE CAFÉ.
Women’s Study: “31 Verses to Write on Your Heart” by Liz Curtis Higgs.
Wherever you are on your journey, here is the wisdom you need for the road ahead. Maybe you’re stuck and want to move forward. Or you feel anxious and long to know what’s next. Or you’re ready for an uplifting reminder that God holds your future in His loving hands. Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs examines each word with care and adds a sprinkling of humor through her honest stories and personal
examples. For each verse you’ll find a unique “One Minute, One Step” challenge—a do-it-now task that requires one minute or less. You’ll soon discover how practical and meaningful the book of Proverbs is as you apply its ancient wisdom to your thoroughly modern life.
THIS CLASS FOR WOMEN WILL MEET IN THE OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
Weeknight Christian Education Opportunities
TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY – On Break Thru August - Resumes September 4th. Study is on the book of Mark, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Café.
THURSDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP – We will start on Thursday, Sept 6th, at 9:45 am in the Lakeline Target snack bar. (*Note* - you will enter Target at the opposite end from before). We will be studying Jonah, the whale guy: a study about Grace. I already have the books and hope to see you all there. Contact: Marge Kretschmar, [email protected], for more information.
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Kindred Sisters
CAFÉ CLEAN-UP
Tuesday, September 4, 2018 by 10:00
am. Wear your scrubbing togs and bring
some scrubbing supplies!
Kindred Sisters will not have a “regular”
meeting on the First Tuesday in
September but are inviting all for a
CAFÉ CLEAN-Up Fellowship!
After a very busy summer with VBS and
Day Camp, the Café needs some
HELP! Therefore … refrigs cleaned,
pantry reorganized, drawers downsized
and relabeled, etc. are all on the agenda.
Kindred Sisters, ten of us, met for Out-
To-Brunch on August 7th at First
Watch. A Fellowship meeting with lots
of catching up after the summer, plus
many ideas for our coming year.
Be sure to sign up as a Hostess on Program/Hostess Sheet on KS Bulletin Board in Café or
let Glenace Klinker know.
Info: [email protected]
LOLLC LADIES – KINDRED SISTERS
Monthly Meeting – 1st Tuesday Morning
Upcoming Opportunities
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
NO REGULAR MEETING
BUT—Everyone Welcome … It is:::::
CAFÉ CLEANUP
10:00 am till done
Next Kindred Sisters Meeting:
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Program: Genealogy
By: Norma Neeley
Please Sign Up on the 2018 Program -
Dessert Hostess Chart
Bring your saved cancelled postage stamps For LWR Stamporee Box
Questions: Glenace Klinker – 512-671-3690
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Summer Texas Ramp builds with LOLLC participation
June 30. A family visiting from Finland (Antti,
Riikka and Olli) assisted with the build.
Aug 25: Working with a group from St. David’s Episcopal
and Alan Plummer Associates.
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast
On Break During
August & September
Should Resume
October 13, 2018
Contact Mark Waggoner [email protected] or 512-800-5412
Monday, September 3
For Labor Day Holiday
CARE CALENDAR FOR EDITH SWARTZ
The Care Calendar for meals & rides for Edith Swartz is still online.
There are still a few Meal Spots left, and we have added Ride Spots to her
Care Calendar for rides to/from church on Sundays. Let’s fill all of her needs!!
To access Edith's CareCalendar site, visit
https://www.carecalendar.org/logon/273582 and enter the following information
in the appropriate spaces: Calendar ID: 273582 Security Code: 2669
Page 7 Volume No. 0918
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SEPTEMBER Sep 3 Labor Day / Office Closed Sep 4 Kindred Sisters Sep 8 Youth Event; CAAR Club Mtg Sep 9 Friends/Family Sunday; Friendship Lunch
Sep 9 LOLLC 22nd Anniversary Sep 16 Holy Cross Day Sep 29 Youth Event
OCTOBER Oct 2 Kindred Sisters Oct 13 Men’s Breakfast; CAAR Club Mtg Oct 20 Youth Event Oct 21 Prayer & Healing Service Oct 28 Reformation Sunday Oct 28 Trunk-or-Treat Oct 31 Halloween
Come join the new music program!
Beginning in September we're creating some excitement in our music program!
• For the vocal choir: On the first and second Wednesdays, at 7:30 PM, we'll prac-
tice one song for an hour then sing it during the late service on the Sunday following the second
rehearsal.
• For the handbell choir: On the third and fourth Wednesdays, at 7:30 PM, we'll practice one
song for an hour then play it during the late service on the Sunday following the second
rehearsal.
No need to be a good singer, or know how to play hand bells; just come with the desire to learn
and have fun. We'll sing and play easy pieces so they're easy to learn in just two practices. And
the commitment is just two practices and one performance within a two-week period. This will be
a relaxed and fun way to make a joyful noise to the Lord! We hope you'll be able to join us!
Page 9 Volume No. 0918
SAVE-THE-DATES
Oct 21 Prayer & Healing Service Oct 28 Reformation Sunday/Trunk-or-Treat Nov 4 All Saints Sunday Nov 4 Daylight Savings Time Ends Nov 10 Harvest Fest & Craft Show Nov 18 Youth Event Nov 21 Thanksgiving Eve Services Nov 22 Thanksgiving Day Nov 25 Christ the King Sunday
LORD OF LIFE COUNCIL RETREAT/MEETING MINUTES August 16, 2018 6:30pm
Attendees:
Vice-President Carol Gaskamp, Member Randy Anderson, Pastor Wachsmann
Call to Order by Gaskamp at 6:32 in anticipation of Member Smith’s imminent arrival.
President Duarte and Member Waggoner have excused absences per Gaskamp.
Opening prayer offered by Gaskamp
6:33 Devotional offered by Gaskamp. Passages by John O’Donohue.
6:36 Gaskamp brings to floor review of last month’s Minutes. Approved by consensus pursuant to no
comments being offered during draft review stage.
6:37 Gaskamp brings to floor Dwelling in the Word. Acts Chapter 10. At 6:52 Member Smith calls to say
he won’t be attending due to Parmer Ln. being shut down.
6:56 Adjournment due to no prospect of quorum present.
Respectfully submitted,
Randall W. Anderson, Secretary
Sunday Worship Attendance
08/05/2018 55
08/12/2018 62
08/19/2018 64
08/26/2018 98
Weekly Average: 70
YTD Total 2,870
YTD Weekly Avg 75
FINANCE STATEMENT: (June 2018)
Jun Income $26,925 YTD Income $190,839 Jun Expenses $22,989 YTD Expenses $117,731 Jun Principal Pymt $ 4,568 YTD Principal Pymts $27,151 Jun Net Gain/Loss $ (633) YTD Gain/Loss $19,666
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Worship Leaders for September 2018
September 2, 2018 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: Lloyd Haskins (1); Denise Sheehan (2)
Lector: Carol G (1); David Ladolcetta (2) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1); Dick Fink (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Carol Alessi (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Fred Grampp (1);
Dave & Erica, Mike Kamensky, Mark Waggoner (2)
Altar Guild: Marge Kretschmar (1); Dick Fink (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & John Duarte Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Children’s Time: Wendy Waggoner
September 9, 2018 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: (1); John Paul Crawford (2)
Lector: Nell Pennington (1); Tony Lopez (2) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1); Bryce Sheehan (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Carol Alessi (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Fred Grampp (1);
Dave, Erica, Chapin & Luke Smith (2)
Altar Guild: Melinda Prather (1); Deb Grunska (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & John Duarte Cantor: (1)
Flowers: The Wachsmann Family, celebrating Clayton’s birthday Children’s Time: John Paul Crawford
September 16, 2018 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: (1); Oscar Lopez (2)
Lector: (1); (2) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1); Luke Smith (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Carol Alessi (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Fred Grampp (1);
Dave & Erica Smith, Mike Kamensky, Mark Waggoner (2)
Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell (1); Chuck Neeley (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & John Duarte Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Carol & Joe Alessi, celebrating their 48th anniversary Children’s Time: Felicia Wachsmann
September 23, 2018 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: Lloyd Haskins (1); Dick Fink (2)
Lector: Donna Hagens (1); Mike Kamensky (2) Media Assistant: Lloyd Haskins (1); Chuck Neeley (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Carol Alessi, David Ladolcetta (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Fred Grampp (1);
Dave, Erica, Chapin & Luke Smith (2)
Altar Guild: Marge Kretschmar (1); Kori Weston (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & John Duarte Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Pr. Skip & Felicia Wachsmann, celebrating their anniversary Children’s Time: Dave Smith
September 30, 2018 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Asst Minister: Lloyd Haskins (1); H.S. Youth (2)
Lector: Marge Kretschmar (1); John Duarte (2) Media Assistant: Lloyd Haskins (1); Dick Fink (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Carol Alessi, David Ladolcetta (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Fred Grampp (1);
Dave & Erica Smith, Mike Kamensky, Mark Waggoner (2)
Altar Guild: Melinda Prather (1); Deb Grunska (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & John Duarte Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Children’s Time: Denise Sheehan
Page 11 Volume No. 0918
September 2018
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Christian Educ
(1st)
10:45a Late Worship
6p Troop 150 Cmt Mtg
3
Office Closed
Labor Day
7p Troop 150
Mtg
4
9a RRISD Pgm
10a Kindred
Sisters (clean-up)
6:30p Bible Study
5 Prayer for Ministry
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Pack 1501
-Den 3 Mtg
6:30p Praise
7:30p Vocal
6
9a RRISD Pgm
9:45a Women’s
Study (off-site)
6:30p Pack 150 Mt
7p Property Mtg
7p Educ Mtg
7
9a RRISD Pgm
8
9a CAAR Mtg
6p Youth Event
9 Friends/Family
Sunday & LOLLC
22nd Anniversary
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Christian Educ
10:45a Late Worship
12:00a Friendship
Luncheon
2p Worship Mtg
10
9a RRISD Pgm
7p Troop 150 Mtg
7p Finance Mtg
11
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Bible Study
12
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Pack 150-
Den 6 Mtg
6:30p Praise
7:30p Vocal
13
9a RRISD Pgm
9:45a Women’s
Study (off-site)
6:30p Pack 150-
Den 8 Mtg
14
9a RRISD Pgm
15
16 Holy Cross Day
Vocal Performance
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Christian Educ
10:45a Late Worship
17
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Evang &
Outreach Mtg
7p Troop 150
Mtg
18
9a RRISD Pgm
6p Pack 150
-Den 3 Mtg
6:30p Bible Study
19
9a RRISD Pgm Prayer for Ministry
6:30p Pack 1501
-Den 3 Mtg
6:30p Praise
7:30p Bells
20
9a RRISD Pgm
9:45a Women’s
Study (off-site)
6:30p Council Mtg
21
9a RRISD Pgm
22
23 8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Sunday Education
10:45a Late Worship
30
Bells Performance
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Christian Educ
10:45a Late Worship
24
9a RRISD Pgm
7p Troop 150
Mtg
25
9a RRISD Pgm
4p Facility Rental
6:30p Bible Study
26
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Praise
7:30p Bells
27
9a RRISD Pgm
9:45a Women’s
Study (off-site)
7p Pack 1501 Cmt
Mtg
7p Stephen
Ministers Mtg
28
9a RRISD Pgm 29
8a Youth Event
Page 12 Volume No. 0918