CENTERPOINT – Lessons from Biloxi.

 

…for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.   – Paul, speaking about the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 8.

 

We just returned from our Spring Break mission trip to Biloxi, MS.  By “we” I mean myself, my daughter, Paul Kleine, Chris Lee and six college students.  We were in Biloxi as part of Lutheran Disaster Relief's What a Relief 2, which brought student groups from Lutheran campus ministries across the country to the Gulf Coast for a second year of hurricane relief work.

 

As is often the case on these mission trips, I came home having received as much as I gave during our six days on the coast.

 

The first thing I came away with was an amazing sense of the power of faith.  The people we met – both survivors and other volunteers – witnessed again and again to the power of God at work in their lives.  As one person put it, “God's power was not at work in the destruction of the hurricane, but in the caring response of those who have come to help since it's destruction.”

 

The second thing I came away with was an amazing sense of the resiliency of the human spirit.  While many chose to leave the Gulf Coast and never return, many have chosen to stay and rebuild their lives.  It may be hard for outsiders to grasp, but this is their home, this is where their roots are, and this is the place they love.  As a person who has moved around a lot in his life, I am always a bit awed by those with such a deep sense of place. 

 

Third, I was amazed by the sense of gratitude I felt from many of the people we met.  People went out of their way to say thank-you to us for coming.  They expressed joy that they had not been forgotten (though the storm was almost a year and a half ago).  They expressed their thanksgiving to God for all God's blessings – in spite of the destruction that is still painfully evident all around.

 

The work along the Gulf Coast is far from completed.  Some say it may be ten years before things return to some semblance of the way things were.  Many things will never be the same.  We need to keep the people of Biloxi, along with all those touched by disasters of every kind, in our thoughts and prayers.  And to learn from them what it means to believe and trust in a God who loves us enough to die for us.

 

Peace,

Pastor Mike

 

 

SOUL NEWS

OU and other area colleges and universities are winding down to the end of the semester (and gearing up for finals, exams, papers and projects).  Because things are heating up academically, SOUL is not planning a lot of “extra” stuff for the end of the semester.  However…  we are still offering our “regular” ministries of support, encouragement and care as the semester wraps up:

 

Taizé Tuesdays

Taizé Tuesdays continue through May 1.  Even if you have never experienced a Taizé Tuesday it's not too late to check them out!  Tuesdays start with a home cooked meal (provided by some of ULC's best cooks) at 6 PM.  A service of reflection, meditation, prayer and discussion follows at around 6:44 PM.  We usually wrap things up between 7:30 and 7:45 PM.  This is a great way to get a break from your studies and/or the pressures of life! 

 

Final's Week Pancake Feed

This event has quickly become a ULC and OU tradition!!  On Monday night in Final's Week (May 7), we gather a fine group of OU faculty and staff, who flip and serve delicious, from scratch pancakes (Pastor Mike's special recipe) along with sausages and all the fixin's.  Everyone is welcome!  We start serving at 11 PM  (that's right, an hour before midnight) and flip our last flapjack at around 1 AM.  Rumor has it that Pastor's Pancakes are great “brain food” (let's hear it for carbs) to prepare for those Tuesday Finals! 

 

ULC Student Center

The ULC Student Center (also known as ULC South and the Dale House) is open for studiers Monday through Thursday from 7 PM – 10 PM.  This is probably one of the best kept secret study places at OU!  The fridge is usually stocked with soda, the cabinets with munchies and, often, there are leftovers from Tuesday night to pop into the microwave!  The Center also has FREE wi-fi!  A ULC Peer Minister is always on duty to get you started!  Check it out!

 

Worship Highlights

 

Easter Lasts Seven Sundays!

While the world around us puts away the baskets, eggs and bunnies on April 9, Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for a whole week of weeks!  Here's what we can look forward to as we shout “He is Risen!” during the next month:

 

Easter 2 – April 15

Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31

On the Second Sunday of Easter, we always hear the story of the disciples whose fear was turned to joy, and Thomas whose doubt was turned to faith by the appearance of the risen Lord.

 

Easter 3 – April 22

Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

Paul not only doubted, he actively worked against the fledgling church.  That is, until Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus Road.  On this Sunday, we will think together about the story of Paul's change of heart.

 

Easter 4 – April 29

Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30

In the first lesson, a Christian woman named Dorcas dies, and Peter raises her from the dead.  Easter 4 is also known as “Good Shepherd” Sunday, as we hear about Jesus, our Shepherd who knows us each by name.

 

Easter 5 – May 6

Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35

Jesus demonstrates the power of God's love for the whole world on the cross.  Paul and others took that message of love to the ends of the world. 

 

 

New Members!

New Members will be received at University Lutheran on Sunday morning, May 6 at both services.  A special welcome dinner will be held that evening starting at 5:30 PM.  If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a member of ULCSC, please talk to Pastor Mike.

 

Inquirer's Classes

Inquirer's Classes are for anyone (member or not) who would like to learn more about Lutherans in general, or about University Lutheran Church and Student Center in particular.  These classes are strongly encouraged for those planning to join the congregation (as an orientation and introduction to our church), those interested in finding out more about the congregation (as a way to learn more about what we believe and teach) and members who would like to learn more about our faith tradition (to brush up on what you forgot from confirmation classes).  Inquirer's Classes will be held in the Pastor's Study, April 22, 29 and May 6 from 10-10:45 AM.  Grab some breakfast and join in the discussion!

PALS Needed.

PALS are sponsors/mentors for new members at ULCSC.   We would like to get our new members active and involved in the life of our congregation right away, and the PALS are an important part of this!!!  PALS help welcome the new members, introduce them to other ULC folks and invite them to participate in the programs and activities of the church.  PALS are expected to stay in regular contact with the new member during the first year of their membership.  If you are interested in being a PAL to one of our new members, talk to Pastor Mike or Carol Hoadley.

 

Do What?!?!

“Do not remember the former things… I am about to do a new thing…” Isaiah 43:18-19

As spring comes upon us, I have been pondering something similar to this verse.  It always humbles me how little control we have.  We love to think that we are independent, self sufficient people, masters of our own fate.  Wrong.  And right.  We control how we respond to the world around us.  Will we dig in and fight or will we go where the Spirit leads us?  Will we turn tail when we are afraid or will we rely on the strength of Christ to guide and sustain us?  Will we harden our heart or open them up to listen?

As much control as we have, we are still subject to much.  The world is changing all around us and we must determine how to respond to those changes.  Do we embrace the world in all of its greatness? No.  Do we turn our back on the world in all of its ugliness? No.  We have to change with the world to survive and thrive.  Jesus taught us that we are in the world but not of it.  God is constantly doing “a new thing”: us. 

From creation to Christ and beyond, WE are called to be the changers, to be and do something new, to be the hands of God in the world, always to advance the kingdom of God.  Let God lead you in your work, through the danger and through the pain.  As you may have heard, “If God is your copilot, switch seats.”

 

Calendar

April 7              Easter Egg Hunt @ Lantange/Jorgenson/Scott properties; 2-5pm

April 8              Happy Easter!  Brunch and Easter egg hunt between services

May 1              Education Committee Mtg.  730pm

May 5              Join Hands Day @ East Main Place (see the announcement for more information)

 

Join Hands Day

Join Hands Day is a Thrivent sponsored service event for the whole congregation, planned by the Youth in one or all of our congregations.  This year, we will be at East Main Place providing a much needed makeover to their community/conference room.  I repeat, this is for anyone and everyone in the congregation.  We will meet there around 830am and work until around 230pm; lunch will be provided.  Please join us for a day of service and fellowship with other Lutherans of all ages, yes, you.

 

Summer Camp

Summer is coming! As summer draws near, the time to register for camp is here.  Camp OSDA EDASDI is the A-OK synods summer bible camp.  Located at the beautiful OAKS Indian Mission, it is a great opportunity for your kids to spend some time with other Christian kids and counselors.  They have great activities and programs for 3^rd through 12^th grades.  Discounts are available for early registration so get your forms now.  See Chris for more information.

 

April Birthdays

 

1 - David Droescher, Denver

Alex Feldt, Norman

Cal Stoltenberg, Pleasant Valley, NE

6 - Debby Busking, Chillicothe, MO

Antoinette Longcrier, Norman

9 - Kathy Gastgeb, Etna, CA

David Klumpp, Ridgewood, NY

11 - Konrad Klumpp, OKC

12 - Kelly Watlington, Murfreesboro, TN

13 - David Gastgeb, Carnegie, PA

Marissa James

14 - John Lindsey

Kate Ocker

15 - Jacob Grasmick, Norman

18 - Janell Cannicott, Norman

20 - Dan Davis, Austin

21 - Braden Stoltenberg, Lubbock

Mary Madole, Chesapeake, VA

Nicole Molskness, Duluth, MN

23 - Mary Ann Purcell

26 - Joe Bretz

29 - Ken Miner, Providence, RI

30 - Cheryl Jorgenson, Lake Preston, SD

 

Happy Anniversary

 

20 - Fred and Kathy Schmidt

 

 

Worship Attendance

	2/4/07	2/11/07	2/18/07	2/25/07		Average
8:30	82	81	65	97		81
11:00	104	79	102	82		92
2007	186	160	167	179		173