Centerpoint: The Language of the People

 

I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. –1 Corinthians 9:22b

 

I am not sure if I would call it a “tradition” or a “commitment”, but Lutherans have always believed that it is important to worship, pray and read scripture in the language of the people.

 

This goes back to Martin Luther himself.  During his exile at the Wartburg Castle (hiding out from those who would arrest and kill him for his views) Luther translated the Bible into German.  As pastor of the University Chapel in Wittenberg, he introduced the practice of worshipping in German rather than in Latin.  Luther also took secular melodies that were familiar to the people and wrote sacred words for them.  That's where A Mighty Fortress is our God comes from.  No doubt, Luther received some resistance from those who believed that “If Latin was good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for us!”  (Though, in fact, Jesus spoke Aramaic.)

 

Throughout the centuries, Lutherans have continuously been about the business of updating the language of worship, liturgy and the scriptures so that it is in the language of the people.  As we have learned more about the original languages of the scriptures (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic) the better and more accurate our translations have become.  As we have learned more about the history of worship, and as composers have continued to write new music to praise and glorify God, we have updated and expanded our hymnbooks and liturgies.

 

These changes have not always been welcomed with open arms!  However, as time passes, these new resources for the life of faith have been embraced, loved, and cherished by each new generation of believers.

 

Inside this issue of the Shalom you will hear about the ELCA's new hymnal, the Evangelical Lutheran Worship.  I hope you will keep your minds and your hearts open as we introduce this worship resource in our congregation and continue our Lutheran tradition and commitment to expressing our faith in the ever changing language of the people.

 

Peace,

Pastor Mike

 

Pancake Feed

 

It's pancake time again!  It has quickly become a University Lutheran tradition to host a Final's Week Pancake Feed for the students of OU.  This semester's Pancake Feed will be Monday, May 7 from 11 PM – 1 AM.  That's right: over the midnight hour!  Servers and hosts are needed for this unique and fun event!  Sign-up to help in the narthex.  If you work at OU, or know any OU students, pass the word along!  This is a great event for reaching out to the campus community!  Hope you can be involved!

 

Peer Minister

Are you an OU student looking for:

* A 3-5 hr. a week job?

* A few extra dollars a month?

* An opportunity to serve Christ and your fellow students?

 

Then Peer Ministry at ULCSC is for YOU!   SOUL is still looking for one more peer minister for the 2007-2008 school year.  Peer Ministers serve one evening a week as hosts at our Student Center, one Sunday a month as host to students coming to worship, and help plan and lead our campus ministry programs at ULCSC.  It's fun!  Interested?   Email or talk to Pastor Mike.

 

Come and See!!!   Introducing the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship

In October of 2006, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) released our church's newest worship resource: a hymnal called Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW).  The worship committee plans to begin using ELW for worship starting in the fall of 2007.  Here some answers to a few frequently asked questions about the ELW:

 

Why now?

Since the introduction of the Lutheran Book of Worship in 1978, the world has changed a great deal.  The use of technology, the introduction of many forms of contemporary worship and our exposure to worship music and traditions from around the world have had an impact on the way Lutherans worship.  Beginning in the late 1990s, the call for a comprehensive review of Lutheran worship was called for in order to investigate how to integrate the many things Lutherans were doing in worship with the traditions of liturgy we all hold dear.  The ELW was the result of this process.

 

Who developed ELW?

In 2000, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly approved a project called Renewing Worship which was charged with developing a new primary worship resource for the ELCA.  The Renewing Worship team worked to produce new materials for worship and review older materials and hymns.  Throughout the past six years, congregations have been asked to review and comment on both new materials and existing worship resources.  Those comments and reviews were used to shape this new hymnal.

 

Will the ELW replace the Lutheran Book of Worship and With One Voice?

Yes.  However, much of the Lutheran Book of Worship is carried over into the new hymnal.  Settings 1 & 2 are retained along with a new liturgy based on Setting 3.  53% of the 893 hymns in ELW come from the Lutheran Book of Worship.  20% of the hymns come from With One Voice.  There are also new contemporary liturgies, and an increased number of songs and hymns from many traditions, cultures and styles. 

 

During the next month, there will be three opportunities to come and see the new hymnal, learn more about its contents, and ask questions.  Everyone is invited to attend one of these “come and see” sessions:

 

Sunday, May 13, 10 AM (Adult Sunday School)

Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 PM 

Saturday, June 2, 10 AM

 

You can also stop by the church office to review a copy!

 

Like any change, a new hymnal can cause some discomfort.  For all of us, some of the changes will be welcome, others not.  There will be a “learning curve” for all of us – pastor and people.  However, a new hymnal also gives us the opportunity to talk about why we worship as we do, helps us hear the Good News more clearly, and exposes us to the wonders of a God who cannot be contained in any human structures (including a specific liturgy).  We plan to go slowly, learn together and grow into this new worship resource.  We have already started learning some of the new liturgical material from ELW, and will introduce more new material over the summer.  We invite you to open your hearts and minds to this new venture, and pray that God will touch all our lives in a new way through this new resource!

 

Affirmation of Baptism  (Confirmation)

On Sunday, May 20 Marissa Metz, Nick Hardersen and Kate Ocker will affirm their baptism at the 11:00 worship service.  This is an important step in their lives of faith!  We invite you to pray for them as they wrap up their studies, and then join in celebrating!  There will be a reception as part of the Sunday Morning breakfast on that day.  Congratulations and God's blessings to Marissa, Nick and Kate!

 

Worship Highlights

 

Easter 5 – NEW MEMBER SUNDAY

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

Love dissolves all distinctions between us, and is the message we bring to the world.

 

Easter 6

Sunday, May 13; Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5; John 14:23-29

The peace of God carries us through life.

 

Easter 6 – AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM

Sunday, May 20; Acts 16:16-34; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26

Jesus is the source of all life and unity for those who trust in him.

 

Festival of Pentecost

Sunday, May 27; Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-27

We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the beginning of the Church's mission to the world.

 

Festival of Pentecost

The Festival of Pentecost, Sunday, May 27, is the third major festival (after Christmas and Easter) in the Church's calendar.  Taking place 50 days after the resurrection (thus the name, “Pentecost”), it is a celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower and guide the disciples on their mission to the world.  It is also a celebration of the continuing power of the Holy Spirit in our own lives and community of faith and a reminder that the mission first given to Jesus' disciples is still our mission today.

 

Red is the color of Pentecost – representing the flame of the Holy Spirit which descended upon the disciples on the first Pentecost day.  In order to celebrate this festival, we are inviting everyone to wear something red to worship (even if you are not an OU fan!).  We will also be decorating the church with red geraniums and planting them around the church following each worship service (so they can remind us of our Pentecost mission all summer long).  You will have an opportunity to order Pentecost Geraniums over the next few weeks!  Watch the bulletin for more information.

 

Guatemala

From May 21-May 30, Pastor Mike, Duane and Jane Winegardner, Eva McGinnis and Kevin Goebbert will travel to Guatemala.  This is an “accompaniment” mission – an opportunity to walk with the people, learn from them and serve along side of them.  This model for mission and mutual ministry grew out of the Latin American experience of civil war during the 1980s and 1990s.  During the ten day mission, the group will visit with sewing cooperatives, human rights organizations, worship with the people and work at a center for elders.  Please pray for our delegation during their trip!  Journals from their trip will be available at sharingthedream.org and on our ULCSC website, ulcsc.org.

 

If you need a pastor while Pastor Mike is away, please call the church office.

 

Pastor's Open House

Pastor Mike, Terrie and Rebecca would like to invite the whole congregation to their new home, Sunday afternoon, June 10, from 3-6 PM.  There will be more information and directions in the next issue of the Shalom.  For now, just mark your calendars!

 

Going Forward

The last Sunday in April we had a Visioning Meeting for our Middle school and High school students along with some of the parents.  The idea was to forge a plan for the Youth Ministry at University Lutheran and to come up with ideas how to put this in to play.  It was a wonderfully productive meeting filled with brainstorming and figuring out what was important to the ministry here at ULC&SC.

 

Of all the ideas that were presented, an important one with the parents was raising up leaders.  Teaching the youth to be leaders in school, church and social activities and to lead by example, all with a Christian background; in other words, teach them to be disciples.

 

Jesus tells us to make disciples, not followers.  Jesus wants us to raise up a world of leaders, people able to provide guidance to one another and to those outside the group, not just a bunch of people that do what they're told.  Jesus says to give people ownership in the ministry, make them active participants in teaching and preaching and caring and spreading the good news.  Why should we think this only applies to adults?  Youth are capable and willing messengers to the people around them.  Sure, we can't pray in school, but living a godly life is a more profound statement of faith.  That is the goal of the Church, including Youth Ministry; to make disciples!

 

Calendar

May 5              Join Hands Day @ East Main Place (see announcement)

May 13            Mother's day

May 20            Confirmation, last day of Sunday School

May 25            Norman North Graduation, 7pm

May 26            Norman High Graduation, 10am

May 28            Blue Lane Derby, 3-6pm (see announcement)

May 31            Last day of School

 

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 room.  I repeat, this is for anyone and everyone in the congregation.  We will meet there around 9am 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 still available so get your forms now.  See Chris for more information.

 

Blue Lane Derby

Blue Lane Derby @6513 Blue Lane, 3-6pm

Start your engines and put on your running shoes! This Memorial Day, May 28, University Lutheran will host a race for the fastest wheely toy around. We invite you and your family to bring the kids, neighbors, a wheeled toy (riding or pushing), a swimsuit, life jacket (if needed), water toys, and a dish to share. Hot dogs and polish sausage will be provided.  Call Chris Lee @321-1584 with any questions.

 

Worship Enhancement Update

 

I am happy to report great news from the worship enhancement committee!  We have not only reached our goal of $150,000, but have exceeded it in pledges.  We thank you for your generous support and ask that you continue to fulfill your pledges.

 

We are moving closer to our organ renovation.  The console is nearly complete and construction has begun on the wind chests.  New pipes have been ordered from Germany and are on their way.  We will soon lose our organ for a short period as they take our current pipes and incorporate them into the new organ.  While the organ is out, we will construct the loft for the pipes and wind chests.  Many thanks to Dennis and the Organ committee for their continued work on this project!

 

We are quite close to completing the bid for our video system.  We are now working out equipment specifications with AVL, the company that installed our audio system.  We will soon be able to enjoy professional-quality video production as part of our worship service.  We thank you for your input and support throughout this process.

 

Art Lantagne, Chair

 

Women of the Word Book Group

In May, Women of the Word, will be reading, "Infidel," by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.  This is truly an amazing book.  Ayaan was born in Somalia in 1970, grew up there and also in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.  She moved to Holland in 1992.  Her family was strict Islamic.  She says she wrote the book to, "make a few things clear, set a certain number of records straight, and also tell people about another kind of world and what it's really like."  The book is a "must read" for a clearer understanding of the culture and customs and Islamic traditions for that part of our world.  Books are available at Borders, with a 10% discount.  Ask at the desk for the University Lutheran selection.  We meet on Fridays at noon.  Bring your lunch.  Any questions or suggestions?  Call Arlis Scott (xxx-xxxx) or Mary Sue Schnell (xxx-xxxx).  Please come read with us!

 

TANZANIA III MISSION BUILD

JUNE 11-28, 2007

            ULC will again be sending a construction team to our sister diocese in Morogoro, Tanzania. This year we have only two members from ULC making the trip; Bill Scott and Paul Kleine, and we will be joined by three men from around the U.S.  We will be returning to the Lutheran Junior Seminary in Morogoro and link up with Pastor Herb Hafermann as we attempt to replicate the wonderful spiritual adventure of the last two years.

            This year we have set a goal to build more chapels along side our Massai brothers and sisters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania and we may be working on a simple structure to house one of the evangelists. Pastor Hafermann has over 95 preaching stations and only a couple dozen have actual places of worship with many of them still meeting under the trees to conduct services.  We hope to add to the number of houses of worship each year and benefit from working and worshipping with the Massai.

            Our goal this year is to raise $6,000 that will pay for all the actual costs of constructing a chapel.  For the modest sum of $6,000 each we will be able to provide a worship home for about 100-150 new Christians.  The last two years, our congregation was extremely generous in supporting our chapel building efforts and we hope and pray that you will help again this year.  To achieve our goal we have planned the following activities and events:

 

1. Tanzania Dinner        Scheduled for May 20th, Arlis and Bill Scott have again agreed to provide for this festive event. 

2. Stock Certificates     Certificates of Stock will be offered for $25 each to enable you to support the venture.

3. Cash Donations        Last year we had many people who were very generous with cash and checks for the construction efforts.

Dates for sales and donations will begin April 22 and will continue until our team leaves on June 11.

4. Mantle Clock Drawing          Tickets will be sold for $10 and a drawing will be held the night of the dinner on May 20^th. 

 

Every penny of our fund raising will go directly to Tanzania and will be spent on building materials.  Our team members will be paying their own expenses that amount to approximately $3,000 per person for air travel, lodging food, land transportation, etc.  We hope you will join us in this mission effort and…….

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Paul F. Kleine

 

Prayer List - April 22, 2007

 

Please keep the following in your prayers:

For those who are sick and recovering and their caregivers: Mary Fuerbringer, Herb Kuhlman, Paul Brinker, Dorothy Thompson, Dave Alvis, Kirstin Schwandt, Ingrid Robbins, Richard Swenson, Bishop Floyd Schoenhals, Lee Savage, and Mel Maytubby.  Dean Newlan, James West, Aneice Rodrigues, Orville Thomas, Taiyoko Payton, Dena Shehab, Diane Henseler, Susan Bastow, Wahneeta Maddock, Zack Weight, and David Balan.

 

For those serving in the Military: Annette Messinger, Michael O'Neal, William D. Petre, Justin Smalley, Daniel Jacobson, Andrew Watson, John Huston, Matthew Haddon, Scott Main, Welby Richardson, Mike Ellicott, Billy Loving, Jeff Jorgenson, Joshua Bell, Michael Lewis and Trevor Downen.

 

For those serving as missionaries of the Church:  David and Alicia Brondos, in Mexico.  Sally and Tom Roach, and Herb Hafermann, in Tanzania.

 

For those who grieve the death of a loved one, the family and friends of Emily Schultheiss, Turner Wilcox, Juanita Saunders, Mary Lou King, Grace Kessler, and Ari Williams.

 

May Birthdays

1 - Abby Busking

     Stephanie Johnson - Norman, OK

2 - Sara Maddock

8 - David Alvis

10 - Fred Eliason

11 - Mark Kleine

     Duane Winegardner - Toledo, OH

13 - Meg Brady Carr

      Ilea Stoltenberg

17 - Phil Carlson

18 - Ursula Watson - Germany

19 - Edda Miner - Honensalza, Germany

20 - George Droescher - Bogota', Columbia

22 - Dillon Downey

24 - Andrew Somers

26 - Richard Massie

27 - Michael Lewis - Del Rio, TX

31 - Margrit Spears

     Jane Winegardner - St. Louis, MO

 

May Anniversaries

2 - Stan and Carole Eliason

9 - Bill and Arlis Scott

13 - Cindy and Mike Pullin

17 - Holly and Art Lantagne

21 - Andy and Jan Feldt

26 - Sandra and Donald Longcrier

27 - David and Kathy Gastgeb

 

Statistics - March 2007

Worship	3/4/07	3/11/07	3/18/07	3/25/07		Average
8:30	80	64	61	55		65
11:00	98	66	71	67		75
2007	178	130	132	122		140
2006	180	139	160	186		166
2005	154	137	163	319*		193
2004	177	160	174	184		173
2003	215	156	172	169	185	179

 

Lenten Worship	3/7/07	3/14/07	3/21/07	3/28/07	Average
Wednesday @ 7 PM	56	61	25	68	52