Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 www.lordoflifeaustin.org Hours Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm

July 2017 Edition Volume No. 0717

God’s Work, Our Hands

Inside this issue: WOW, GOD!

I greet you in the name of the One who can do all things but fail!

As of this writing, we are just completing our week-long 2017 Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme, “Maker Fun Factory”, allowed participants to discover the goodness of God in all things, but especially in and through the relationship that God has with each and every one. As is always the case with our chosen curriculum, the daily themes within the overall theme grew and grew and grew. The further we went on the journey, the deeper we went into the Maker Fun Factory, the more we understood just how awesome God is. Here’s the journey:

Day 1: God made you.

Day 2: God is for you.

Day 3: God is always with you.

Day 4: God will always love you.

Day 5: God made you for a reason.

Granted, most if not all of you reading this article are too old to have been a part of Vacation Bible School, at least as a registered participant. So, believe me when I share with you that the message of “Maker Fun Factory” is not just for kids! How great would it be if we would take the time to think about that which we already know and believe. What if our daily/weekly routine included a regulated amount of time to reflect upon the fact that God made you! And the next day, God is for you! And the next, God is always with you! And then, God will always love you! And finally, God made you for a reason! Even more amazing would be to have the courage and commitment to start over again next week, and the week after, and so on and so on.

For those who might be inclined to try it, “Maker Fun Factory” also provided Bible passages to center us in God’s word. Your own Daily Word devotional! One small verse that helps you think about just how important you are to God. Here you go:

Day 1: God made you. – Psalm 139:14

Day 2: God is for you. – Romans 8:31

Day 3: God is always with you. – Joshua 1:9

Day 4: God will always love you. – Psalm 89:2

Day 5: God made you for a reason. – Jeremiah 29:11

I want to close with a special thanks to all who participated as a volunteer in this year’s VBS. You know who you are. Without you we could not have accomplished what God did through us. And know this, God has promised that “if you are faithful, I will provide the increase”! We were faithful! Now sit back and watch God do God’s thing! Wow, God!

In the name of Jesus, Pr. Skip

Message from Pastor 1

Global Initiatives 2

Prayer List 2

Sunday Readings 2

God’s Generosity 2

Baptisms 2

Summer Worship Times 2

Birthdays/Anniversaries 2

Lutherhill Day Camp 3

July Collection Drive - Resettle a Refugee

3

Men’s Breakfast 3

Members Expectations 4

Summer Education 4

Kindred Sisters 5

Coming Soon 6

Message from Finance 6

LOLLC Giving Options 6

Give+ App - How To Guide 7

2017 VBS Pictures 8-9

Council Minutes 10

Save-the-Dates 10

Worship Attendance 10

Worship Leaders 11

Calendar 12

Birthdays: Donna Hagens 07/03 Brynn Waggoner 07/03 Juan Vargas 07/08 Janie Duarte 07/09 TJ Wolski 07/11 Mindy Penland 07/12 Megan Wiruscheske 07/12 Nell Pennington 07/13 Marge Robison 07/15 Ronnie Wachsmann 07/17 Glenace Klinker 07/18 Erik Anderson 07/23 Annabelle Hart 07/23 Mike Kamensky 07/24 Barb Ferriola 07/25 Viki Parsons 07/27

PRAYER LIST

Angie Parr, Ilamay Bartholomew,

Herman Haenel, Peggy Suggs, Lanae Ortivez, Sylvia Ramirez,

Faith Bales, Ilene Dunn,

Norma Hultsch, Mindy Penland,

Dorothy Holcomb, Roger Adamson, Barbara Dailey, Mary Vaughn, John Hunter,

James Fraser, Maggie Tesler,

Tom Wilson, Horace Pennington,

Chanel Cobb, James Brinkmeyer, Michael Odegaard

Kira Niedert Roger Mathre

SUNDAY READINGS

July 2 Jeremiah 28:5-9 Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42 July 9 Zechariah 9:9-12 Psalm 145:8-14 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 July 16 Isaiah 55:10-13 Psalm 65:1-13 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 July 23 Isaiah 44:6-8 Psalm 86:11-17 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 July 30 1 Kings 3:5-12 Psalm 119:129-136 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

www.elca.org/global - l inks Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA, we are support ing 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 remaining Baptism Festivals for 2017 are:

Holy Cross Day, September 17 All Saints’ Day, November 5

Contact Pr. Skip as soon as possible concerning which day works best for you.

Anniversaries:

Lee & Mindy Penland 07/11 Brad & Denise Sheehan 07/11 John & Janie Duarte 07/17 Bill & Diane Saegert 07/21 Mike & Pam Kamensky 07/23 Fred & Karen Grampp 07/28

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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Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

will be on July 8th

at 8:00 a.m.

All men are welcome

and encouraged to

attend. Contact Mark Waggoner

waggmar@gmail.com

or 512-800-5412.

Help Resettle Refugees of Texas - Summer of Service - July Collection

Diapers (all sizes), soccer balls, lamps, sewing machines, HEB gift cards. A noisy offering will also

be held July 30. See www.rstx.org/donate-1 for more Austin wish-list items.

** See Denise Sheehan or Felicia Wachsmann for more information **

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Christian Education Opportunities

EDUCATION NEWS

SUMMER ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES - Join us as we delve into a study from the ELCA

titled Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement on the topic of justice for

women in church and society. The ELCA has developed a study for congregations and groups to

gather for conversation, learning, and sharing. They have asked congregations to prayerfully study

and provide feedback for the development of a Social Statement that will be brought to the 2019

Churchwide Assembly. Now is the time for focused conversation. It is a call to hear new things and

to explore together how matters of justice and sexism intersect with faith. We hope you will join us

for this important conversation on Sunday mornings. In order to determine how many books we

will need, please call or email Kelley in the church office or Wendy Waggoner

(wcwggoner@gmail.com) with your intention to participate. We would also like to provide

childcare if there is a need, so please let us know that as well.

TUESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AT 6:30-8:00 PM IN THE CAFE.

Feel free to join us as we study the Gospel of Mary Magdala. Lost for more than 1500 years, this

gospel is the only early Christian gospel written in the name of a woman. This study is fascinating

and challenging. Hope you’ll consider stopping in!

THURSDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP that meets in the snack bar at the Target Lakeline will be

taking a break over the summer months. A new study will resume in September. Stay posted for

information on a date and subject of study. This is a great group, so please join them and bring

your friends too.

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Kindred Sisters

Kindred Sisters had their June meeting on

Tuesday, June 6th, at the Koinonia Cafe at

LOLLC. Glenace and Ted Klinker presented

a film, made by Ted, entitled "God's

Flowering Beauty". It showed flowers in

their home/yard, and flowers seen on their

many travels! It was beautifully

done! Thank you, Glenace and Ted! We

enjoyed a devotion related to our topic, and

then we had such an enjoyable time talking

about the plants and flowers we brought for

the meeting, and the plants and flowers we

have in our homes and yards! Marge

Kretschmar brought some plants, and drew

names for some lucky ladies to get to take

some plants home! Thank you,

Marge! Fellowship, sack lunches, and dessert

and refreshments provided by our hostess,

Joanne Forseth, were enjoyed by all!

We will not have a July meeting, as everyone is busy with summer activities, travel,

reunions, etc.

Our August meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 1st, with lunch at an area

restaurant, to be announced.

God's Blessings! Have a wonderful summer, ladies!

LOLLC LADIES – KINDRED SISTERS

Monthly Meeting – 1st Tuesday Morning

Upcoming Opportunities

No Meeting in JULY

Next Kindred Sisters Meeting:

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

“Out To Lunch”

Please Sign Up on the 2017 Program -

Dessert Hostess Chart

Bring your saved cancelled postage stamps For LWR Stamporee Box

Questions: Joanne Forseth – 512-986-7387

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From the Finance Ministry Team First, we thank you for your faithfulness in supporting the Ministries and Mission of Lord of Life. Lord of Life has expanded avenues for accepting offerings and tithes. In addition to cash and check donations and direct deposit, the church office now accepts PayPal and credit cards (Square Point of Sale device) for registration fees, purchases and donations. We also now have the Give+ app that is available for download from both Apple and Google Play. Using this smartphone app, you can quickly and easily donate using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account. You may make one-time donations or set up recurring giving. You can choose to create an account or donate as a guest. You can securely and conveniently manage donations using Touch ID/Fingerprint, PIN or password. More information

is available on the website at: http://www.lordoflifeaustin.org/giving/

Excerpt from the LOLLC Website’s Giving Page Besides offering our gifts during worship services, there are several other ways to give in an expression of thankfulness to God. Lord of Life has recently expanded avenues for accepting offerings and tithes, as well as payments for event registration fees and other purchases or donations.

Cash and check donations are accepted during regular Sunday worship services & other special services, by mail or in person during office hours. (M-F, 9-1)

Offering Envelopes - If you would like to receive offering envelopes, you may get a box from the church office. Envelopes are already dated for every Sunday and Special Offering throughout the year and are an excellent way to help you set aside your gifts in advance. This option is best used for cash or personal checks.

Bank Checks - As another means of automatic giving, you may contact your bank to set up a recurring check to be sent to Lord of Life of a specific amount. This is a great way to maintain easy control over the frequency and amount of your regular giving.

In addition to cash and check donations and direct deposit, we have the following options available for your giving convenience.

Give+ Mobile App (NEW) - We now have the Give+ Mobile App that is available for download from both Apple and Google Play. Using this smartphone app, you can quickly and easily donate using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account. You may make one-time donations or set up recurring giving. You can choose to create an account or donate as a guest. You can securely and conveniently manage donations using Touch ID/Fingerprint, PIN or password.

** Click on the link to see "How To" set up your Give+ Mobile App: Give+ App: How To Document (See next page)

Simply Giving - This is an auto-debit program that any church member may sign up for. Contact the church office to provide your bank information, and the amount you would like to regularly contribute. This is an easy way to make sure you're always staying on top of your annual commitment!

Square (NEW) - The church office now accepts credit card payments using the Square Point of Sale device for event registration fees, purchases and donations.

PayPal - Our website accepts credit card payments using PayPal for certain event registration fees (ex: VBS & Day Camp).

Online Giving - If you would like to contribute on-the-fly by making donations through PayPal or another online source, please let us know.

ELCA - You can give to the ELCA, as well.

Whatever way you decide to give, thank you for supporting the ministry and mission of Lord of Life as we work together to grow the kingdom of God and strengthen the body of Christ!

July 4 Independence Day July 8 Men’s Breakfast July 9 Day Camp Ice Cream Social July 10-14 Lutherhill Day Camp July 12 Youth Event w/ Camp Counselors July 14 Youth Summer Event

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2017 vacation bible School pictures

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SAVE-THE-DATES

Aug 1 Kindred Sisters Aug 12 Men’s Breakfast Aug 27 Celebration Sunday Aug 27 Return to Early/Late Services Sep 4 Labor Day Sep 5 Kindred Sisters Sep 9 Men’s Breakfast Sep 10 LOLLC 21st Anniversary

LORD OF LIFE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

June 15, 2017 6:30pm

Present: John Duarte, Mark Waggoner Carol Gaskamp, Pr. Skip Wachsmann

Absent due to vacation: Dave Smith, Randi Ladolcetta

Meeting called to order at 6:35.

Devotional: Viewed brief video from LEAD on Joy in Leadership

Minutes from May 18, 2017 accepted as distributed

Dwelling in the Word: Philippians 4:4-9 was the basis for reflection. Verses 8 and 9 in particular resonated with group members.

Discerning prayer focused on where LOLLC is to be five years from now, and how do we get there

Old Business

Communication Cluster Groups – tabled since Dave is council liaison

Men’s Prayer Fellowship –

Mark Waggoner reported that Erica Pratt’s presentation to the group on Saturday (6/10) was well received. The group

will explore further how and where to assist the clinic with property maintenance needs and in providing more

consistent financial support.

Community Gardens – Follow up on discussion with property ministry:

Waiting to hear back from insurance on liability should someone get hurt on the property

Resolved fencing needed for deer protection

Watering concern: hoses will be used to reach the garden and options for preventing water waste from forgetting

to turn a hose off are being explored, as are rain water collection barrels.

Discussed importance of the community garden being a LOLLC project, and not just the Men’s Fellowship

project

High School Sr. Scholarship: A panel of 3 is being assembled to review the scholarship applications

Kid’s Day Out (KDO) Proposal to expand their educational offering: Council decided by consensus to approve the request for

more space, since the activity aligns with LOLLC mission of serving the community. John Duarte will contact the Finance

Ministry team to meet with the KDO owners to negotiate use of expanded space

New Business

RRISD request to use LOLLC space for expanding their 18+ Community Works Program to the west end of the district: This

program operates during the academic year and provides transition services to students over the age of 18 who qualify for

continued services after graduation but still need further assistance with independent living skills. The Council decided by

consensus to approve the request to use the café, since the activity aligns with LOLLC mission to serve the community. The

program will be flexible to work around any scheduling conflicts for LOLLC use of the café. Two other ELCA congregations,

Grace and Palm Valley, are also sites for RRISD special

education programs, and have had good experiences with

the programs.

Master Plan discussion: The council requests the Finance

Ministry team to investigate the possibility of a future

loan through the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) for

property development.

Other: Youth Ministry was discussed.

Meeting adjourned at 9:48 PM

Carol Gaskamp, Scribe

Sunday Worship Attendance

06/04/2017 111

06/11/2017 74 06/18/2017 82

06/25/2017 92

Weekly Average: 90

YTD Total 2528

YTD Weekly Avg 96

FINANCE STATEMENT: May Income $25,550 YTD Income $136,218 May Expenses $22,339 YTD Expenses $125,432 May Gain Loss $3,211 YTD Net Gain $10,778 May Principal Pymt $4,298 YTD Principal Pymts $21,489 May Adjusted Net Loss $1,087 YTD Adjusted Net Loss $10,711

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Worship Leaders for July 2017 July 2, 2017 Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: John Paul Crawford

Lector: VBS Children Media Assistant:

Communion Assistant: Dorothy Crawford

Ushers: “Pick-Up” As Available

Altar Guild: Heather Simpson Acolyte:

Tellers: Barb Petry & Barb Haskins Cantor:

Flowers: Eric & Jessica Waggoner, celebrating Kinsley’s 2nd birthday Children’s Time: N/A

July 9, 2017 Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Dick Fink

Lector: Donna Hagens Media Assistant:

Communion Assistant: Carol Alessi, David Ladolcetta

Ushers: “Pick-Up” As Available

Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell Acolyte: Nathaniel Duarte

Tellers: Dick Fink & Barb Petry Cantor:

Flowers: Duarte Family, celebrating Janie’s birthday Children’s Time: Wendy Waggoner

July 16, 2017 Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Connor Sheehan

Lector: Carol Alessi Media Assistant: Connor Sheehan

Communion Assistant: Nick Ferriola

Ushers: “Pick-Up” As Available

Altar Guild: Deb Grunska Acolyte: Nicolas Duarte

Tellers: Dick Fink & Barb Petry Cantor:

Flowers: Marge Robison Children’s Time: Felicia Wachsmann

July 23, 2017 Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Mike Odegaard

Lector: Donna Hagens Media Assistant: Dick Fink

Communion Assistant: Pam Kamensky, Chapin Smith

Ushers: “Pick-Up” As Available

Altar Guild: Diane Smith Acolyte:

Tellers: Dick Fink & Barb Petry Cantor:

Flowers: Nick Ferriola, celebrating Barb’s birthday Children’s Time: Dave Smith

July 30, 2017 Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Lloyd Haskins

Lector: Donna Hagens Media Assistant: Dick Fink

Communion Assistant: Carol Alessi, Denise Sheehan

Ushers: “Pick-Up” As Available

Altar Guild: Deb Grunska Acolyte:

Tellers: Dick Fink & Barb Petry Cantor:

Flowers: Fred & Karen Grampp, celebrating 55th anniversary Children’s Time: Erica Smith

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Ju ly 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

8:15a Summer

Education

9:30a Summer Svc

6p Troop 150 Cmt

Mtg

3

7p Troop 150

Mtg

7p Education

Mtg

4

Independence

Day

6:30p Bible Study

5

11a Pray for Min

6

6:30p Pack 150

Mtg

7p Property Mtg

7

8

8a Men’s

Breakfast

9

8:15a Summer

Education

9:30a Summer Svc

12:15p Worship Mtg

10

9:00a Day Camp

7p Finance Mtg

7p Troop 150

Mtg

11

9:00a Day Camp

6:30p Youth

Bible Study

6:30p Bible Study

12

9:00a Day Camp

6p Youth Event

w/ Camp

Counselors

13

9:00a Day Camp

14

9:00a Day Camp

5:30p Youth

Summer Event

15

16

8:15a Summer

Education

9:30a Summer Svc

17

6:30p Evang &

Outreach Mtg

7p Troop 150

Mtg

18

6:30p Bible Study

6:30p TIFA Mtg

19

11a Pray for Min

20

6:30p Council Mtg

6:30p Pack 1502

Mtg

21

22

23

8:15a Summer

Education

9:30a Summer Svc

30

8:15a Summer

Education

9:30a Summer Svc

24

7p Troop 150

Mtg

31

7p Troop 150

Mtg

25

6:30p Youth

Bible Study

6:30p Bible Study

26

27

Archives

7p Stephen

Ministers Mtg

7p Pack 1501 Cmt

Mtg

38

Archives

29

Archives

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