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September Shalom 2007
Therefore we have
been
buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised
from
the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of
life.
--Romans 6:4
Water is powerful. Everyone here in Oklahoma has watched in awe and wonder as the rains have deluged our state this spring and summer. We have witnessed the power water has to sweep away land and buildings, possessions and lives. It has been amazing to watch as lakes and ponds that were nearly gone a year ago fill to overflowing.
Water is powerful. A drink of cold, clear water is a gift on a hot day. Water has the power to wash and nurture, to cool off and give life.
An interesting thing about water: to much of it and we die; to little of it and we get the same result.
Water is powerful. It is a symbol of life and of rebirth, it is a sign of forgiveness and purification, of hope and of chaos.
All of these symbols can be found in our baptismal practice. When someone (a child or adult) is brought to the font for baptism, they are symbolically drowned (that's why the water is poured on the head, not the feet). They die and rise with Christ through the water. In baptism we are washed. For Christ's sake our sins are swept away in the flood of his grace and mercy. In baptism we are renewed. Our lives are made new like the parched earth that springs to life when rain follows drought.
Luther once suggested that we rise each day and remind ourselves that we are baptized children of God – claimed, forgiven and renewed for the new day. Each day, we who are baptized into Christ, walk in the water of his life.
Peace,
Pastor Mike
University Lutheran has had a number of small group ministries that have functioned for many years. The “Care Groups” continue to provide nurture and support for many of our members. Women of the Word, SOUL, Sermon Talk-backs, Men's Bible Study, Youth Groups and many others have, at times, functioned as small groups. This fall, we hope to expand these small group experiences within the congregation.
The goals of these new small groups are to:
* Involve the entire congregation in intentional study of the Word and prayer.
* Provide a small caring community for current members and new members.
* Create safe entry points for potential new members.
The plan group families (individuals, couples, couples with children) geographically. The small groups would start their time together with a simple potluck meal, share in bible study and prayer (kid-friendly, if there are kids in the group), and have time for fellowship.
In the next few months, everyone will receive an invitation to the first meeting of the small group in your area. (Those already in Care Groups can continue to meet in those groups.) Please prayerfully consider this invitation! We hope everyone will (at least) come to the first meeting to find out more about this new effort. There will be more information in future issues of the Shalom and in the bulletin.
Some members will be asked to serve as hosts for the first meeting in your area. Hosts would provide their home, and beverages. If you would be willing to host, please talk to Pastor Mike.
Let us all pray that God uses this new effort to strengthen our faith in him and our support and care for one another!
Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Philemon, Luke 14:15-33
Rally Day!!! Sunday School for all ages will begin! 7th Graders receive their confirmation bibles! Sunday School Teachers will be installed! In worship, we will hear the story of Onesimus and his master, Philemon.
Exodus 32:7-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10
Jesus is like a shepherd who searches for the lost sheep, and a woman who turns her house inside out to find a lost coin.
Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13
Jesus teaches that no slave can serve two masters. Which “masters” in our lives threaten to drive Christ out?
Amos 6:1a, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31
The rich man overlooked the poor man, Lazarus, who lay dying at his gate. What is our responsibility to one another and to those in need among us?
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10
We are saved by grace, not through “good works”. But, what does God expect of us as his redeemed children?
In September we will begin using liturgical material from the new Lutheran hymnal, the Evangelical Lutheran Worship. In Early Service, we will adopt some of the liturgical music from the “contemporary” setting of the liturgy, along with prayers and other spoken parts of the service. In the Late Service, we will begin using Setting 1 and also the Service of the Word for non-communion Sundays. Throughout the summer we have been learning parts of these liturgies, so the transition should go smoothly!
We still need around 40 hymnals to fill all our pew racks. Hymnals are just $24.25 each and can be purchased in memory or in honor of someone. If you would like to give one or more hymnals, please use the form in the Sunday bulletin or stop by the church office. Thank-you to those who have donated hymnals already!
The Sermon Talk-Back adult bible study group is back! The group meets on Sunday evenings from 7-8 PM to discuss the lessons from the morning's worship services and the themes of Sunday's sermon. This is a great way to go into greater depth than we can on Sunday morning! Learn more of the context of the lessons, explore the issues and themes raised by the texts and ask Pastor Mike questions about the sermon. New participants are always welcome.
SOUL
University Lutheran's group for college students and other young adults.
SOUL Food generally happens on the first Sunday of the month, following late service. HOWEVER, because the first Sunday lands in the middle of Labor Day Weekend, we have moved SOUL Food back to the second Sunday, September 9. What is SOUL Food? The SOUL group gathers after late service, picks out an area restaurant and then goes out for lunch together. SOUL picks up the tab! It is a great time for fun and fellowship!
Tuesday Night is SOUL night at University Lutheran! The evening starts with a FREE dinner at 6 PM followed at 6:44 PM by a prayer service and bible study. The prayer service features the music of Taizé in France – short reflective songs, and time for prayer and meditation. This semester we are reading through the book of Romans. Come and feed your body and spirit!
SOUL parks cars at home football games to raise money for our campus ministry programs. A minimum of five people are needed for each game. We start parking four hours before game time. Often we get invited to join the tailgate parties! Get team spirit, help out SOUL and have a lot of fun!!! Sign-up to help with parking either on Taizé Tuesdays, or at worship on Sunday mornings. The schedule for the first few games is:
September 2 – North Texas, game time: 6 PM, parking at 2 PM
September 8 - Miami, game time: 11 AM, parking at 7 AM
September 15 – Utah State, game time: 2:30 PM, parking at 10:30 AM
The Tenth Biennial Churchwide
Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was held
Aug.
6-11, 2007, at Navy Pier, Chicago. About 2,000 people participated, including
1,069 voting members. The theme was “Living in God's Amazing Grace: Thanks
Be
to God!”
Presiding
Bishop Mark S. Hanson Re-Elected
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, 60, was elected to serve a second six-year term as presiding bishop. Hanson was re-elected on the second ballot with 888 votes of the 1,029 cast. Seventy-five percent of the ballots cast are required for election on the second ballot. The runner-up nominee,
the Rev. Karl P. Donfried, received 73 votes. Hanson fell two votes short of being re-elected on the first or nominating ballot. He begins his second term Nov. 1. Hanson was first elected presiding bishop at the 2001 Churchwide Assembly. In 2003 he was elected president
of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and will serve in that role until 2010.
David
D. Swartling Elected Secretary
David D. Swartling, 60, a Seattle attorney, was elected to a six-year term as ELCA secretary. Swartling was elected on the fifth ballot, 611 to 366, over the Rev. Paul A. Schreck, executive for constitution and rostering interpretation and oversight, ELCA Office of the Secretary. Swartling will succeed the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, who has been secretary since the ELCA was
formed in 1987. Almen announced last year he would not seek a fifth term and will leave office Oct. 31. He was presented the Servus Dei (Servant of God) Medal at the assembly, given to churchwide officers who are completing their terms.
Assembly
Encourages Restraint in Discipline of Congregations, Leaders
The Churchwide Assembly made no changes to ELCA standards for professional leaders, declining proposals that suggested specific policy changes. By a vote of 538 to 431, the assembly asked its synods and bishops to “refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining” people and congregations that call otherwise-qualified candidates in mutual, chaste and faithful committed
same-gender relationships, and it called for restraint in disciplining rostered leaders in committed same-gender relationships. The proposal was adopted as a substitute for a recommendation of the Memorials Committee.
Following the decision, Hanson said, “These are words of counsel. They are not words that change the standards of the church. They reflect the mind of this assembly as it seeks to give counsel to the leaders of this church.”
The Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality is currently developing a social statement on human sexuality for consideration by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Voting members referred to the task force memorials regarding same-sex blessings, ELCA clergy standards and other matters. The assembly added an amendment to its referral on clergy standards, directing the task force to “specifically address and make recommendations to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly on changes to any policies that preclude practicing homosexual persons from the rosters of this church.”
“Book
of Faith” Initiative Affirmed
The assembly endorsed “Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible,” a five-year initiative to promote study of the Bible. The initiative grew out of a proposal the North Carolina Synod made to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. One recommendation stressed the importance of Scripture for believers “throughout the ages” and thanked the North Carolina Synod for proposing the initiative. It was adopted by a vote of 1,000 to 19. A companion recommendation, adopted 956 to 68, gave specific suggestions for ways to “invite and encourage all members, expressions, institutions and partners of this church to commit themselves regularly and increasingly to hearing, reading, studying, sharing and being formed by God's Word.”
Education
Social Statement Adopted
With a 949 to 35 vote, the assembly adopted a social statement, “Our Calling in Education,” which addresses issues of children's faith formation, equitable access to education, quality of U.S. public schools, and support for Lutheran schools, colleges and campus ministries. The assembly also adopted the statement's accompanying implementation actions. Several amendments were adopted, including the addition of language that addresses the specific needs of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities as well as students with disabilities. Social statements are significant documents adopted by the Churchwide Assembly. There are now nine ELCA social statements.
Assembly
Strengthens ELCA's Financial Future
Striving to strengthen the future financial resources of the ELCA, voting members accepted a report with recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Committee on Mission Funding, appointed to study the ELCA's funding policies and practices. By a 623 to 52 vote, the assembly received “with gratitude” the committee's report, commended the content of the report for study
and reflection throughout this church, and fostered a renewed commitment to “vigorous mission-support efforts.” The assembly called for the development of a resource for presentation to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly to “help congregations assess their responsible and accountable use of God's resources commended to their care.”
Assembly
Asks for Social Statement on Criminal Justice by 2013
By a vote of 957 to 68, the assembly directed the ELCA Church in Society program unit to develop a social statement on criminal justice for consideration by the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. Requests for the statement grew out of memorials from three synods. The social statement will be developed following consultation with church members and others involved in criminal justice, and it is expected to deal with topics such as the prison system, rehabilitation for those convicted of crimes and the current cost of incarcerating criminals.
ELCA
Assembly Extends Full Communion Relationship with Moravian Church
Voting members extended the ELCA's full communion relationship with the Moravian Church in America to the East West Indies and the Alaska Provinces of the Moravian Church in America by a vote of 999 to 23. The 1999 Churchwide Assembly adopted a proposal for full communion with the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America.
The
assembly adopted several other proposals:
Evangelical Lutheran Worship was “received with thanksgiving” as this church's primary worship resource. Released in 2006, about 725,000 volumes of the book have been distributed.
It called for a churchwide strategy for responding to HIV and AIDS to build on and deepen current denominational engagement with the pandemic in the United States and around the world. The resolution urged further prayer, charity, advocacy and education efforts. The ELCA committed $1 million to be used for the strategy's implementation. The assembly asked the Church Council to consider committing up to $1 million more for implementation of the strategy.
The assembly invited renewed efforts by members and congregations to “reach and surpass, as soon as possible,” a goal of $25 million in annual giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
The assembly said Lutherans should study the situation in Darfur, Sudan, and advocate to federal officials on behalf of Darfur, a place where the U.S. government has called the mass killing “genocide.” The action praised the presiding bishop for the efforts he and the LWF have made to address the situation in Darfur.
Voting members declared their opposition to “any escalation of the war” in Iraq and asked this church to call on the U.S. government to “take immediate and comprehensive steps to end the violence and establish a peaceful, stable, and just society in that country.” They urged the ELCA to engage in “moral deliberation about the situation in Iraq,” urged concern for military personnel and their families, and asked ELCA members to make their views known to members of Congress.
ELCA congregations and other Lutheran agencies should provide a “welcoming and supporting environment for returning military veterans,” according to an assembly resolution.
The assembly called on the ELCA to recommit to this church's strategy for engagement in Israel and Palestine, including a call for economic initiatives. An assembly amendment said that economic initiatives could, in consultation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, include “purchasing of products from Palestinian providers and exploration of the feasibility of refusing to buy products produced in Israeli settlements.” The assembly also called for examination of investment activity by the ELCA and added an amendment that specifically excludes “the option of divestiture.” Awareness-building, accompaniment and advocacy activities are components of the strategy, adopted by the Church Council in 2005, and the ELCA “Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land” campaign that the 2005 Churchwide Assembly adopted.
With a 318 to 309 vote, the assembly asked synod bishops to discuss their accountability “to the adopted policies, practices and procedures of the ELCA” and requested that a report be brought to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
Budgets for the ELCA churchwide organization for 2008 and 2009 were adopted.
The assembly acted on several other memorials by pointing out previous actions on the specified subject, declining to act or referring them to the Church Council and churchwide units.
For more, visit the ELCA website at www.elca.org
From the DCE
As iron sharpens iron… Proverbs 27:17
I am a firm believer that healthy conversations can nurture our faith life and challenge our understanding of God, people and the world around us. I also believe that some of the most challenging, helpful and growth producing conversations happen when we are most uncomfortable. When we are in respectful, open dialogue with people of different backgrounds, beliefs, values, or ages, we can challenge that person's beliefs but we will in turn have our own beliefs questioned. Scripture is full of God's people being brought closer to him through trial. Whether it is a personal struggle, a physical ailment or a community concern we are changed, refined as by fire.
This fall, we will have an Adult Sunday School program titled Saving Jesus. This study focuses in part on separating Christ from culture. Take the politics, social expectations, current worldviews and our own experiences out of the equation and what is left of Jesus? It will certainly challenge your current view of Jesus and healthy conversations are guaranteed. Remember, even though we may disagree with each other, we can respect one another while we learn about our faith and ourselves. I encourage you to join the class Sundays, between services, starting Sept 16th.
Calendar
Sept. 9 RALLY DAY- all are welcome for fun and laughs to start the year
16 Adult, Youth and Children's Sunday School starts (955 am)
19, 26 Adult Ed. 6 week Lutheran Studies starts 630-730pm
Oct. 3,10,17,24 Adult Ed Lutheran Studies continues 630-730
21 Bible Showcase
New Adult Study (Begins Sept. 16): Modernity poses numerous challenges to
the
Christian faith. Perhaps some of
you
have already experienced a contradiction between some church doctrines
and
modern worldviews. Are you interested in exploring some of these challenges
together as a way of stretching your faith?
If so, we plan to launch a new video-based study this fall, “Saving
Jesus: A Revolutionary exploration
of
Jesus Christ for the third millennium.”
Hear what many of the leading religious thinkers of our day (Marcus
Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Matthew Fox, Amy-Jill
Levine, James Forbes, Bernard B. Scott and others) have to say. Beginning September 16, Nina Livesey, Ph.D. Religious Studies,
will take us through the program and facilitate the discussions. We'll meet from
The Lutheran
Course
Adult Education: Leading up to Reformation Sunday there
will
be a Wednesday evening study on Lutheran beliefs and practices from
One of the most important ways we grow closer to God
is by
studying his word. The problem is, many people don't have a bible and the ones that do
have
little interest in reading it. On
October 21
Nursery Help
Needed
We are seeking people who love little children to help watch the nursery. Please speak with Chris if you are willing to help even 1 service a month. Any help is appreciated.
New Residents
Move
Into ULC-sponsored Apartment at East Main Place
In early August the team of dedicated volunteers from University Lutheran once more prepared Apartment 102 at East Main Place for new residents. Jane Winegardner, Eilene Kleine, Peggy Strom, Paul Kleine and Mary Sue Schnell cleaned and reorganized the apartment in preparation for their arrival. Thanks to all of them for a job well done! Thank you, too, to everyone who donated items for the apartment. With your help the new residents have what they needed to begin their life at East Main Place. We ask you to keep the new family in 102 in your prayers.
Social Ministry Committee
MISSION ADVANCEMENT PLANNING COMMITTEE
The “Mission Advancement Planning Committee” (MAPC) has been meeting for the past few years with the following goals:
* - Develop a master plan of facility needs based on the Millennium Task Force program goals.
* - Develop a statement of how all spaces will be used.
* - Develop space relationships.
* - Work with professional planners to produce various plan alternatives for congregational approval.
The changes to the sanctuary through the Worship Enhancement Committee have greatly improved the worship space of ULC. The retrofitted organ and new sound/video system will serve ULC for many years thanks to the generosity of the members. With these improvements nearing completion, it is now time to shift our focus to the space needs of education, fellowship, and other gatherings of the church.
The first decision that must be made is where to add rooms to the building for these groups. With utility easements to the West, Elm Street to the east, and the sanctuary located on the south end of the building, this decision becomes very complicated. To add rooms on to the south end of the building would take away valuable worship space from the sanctuary for passage to the new rooms.
While considering this dilemma, some good news was brought to the committee. The property directly to the north of the fellowship hall has become available to ULC. The MAPC members and the architects assisting the committee in the long range planning are very excited about this prospect and believe that the final plan will greatly benefit from this new situation. Acquiring this property will allow additional educational and fellowship space to be directly connected to the current education and fellowship space without encroaching on the utility easement and sanctuary space.
The homeowner to the north (our own Linda Lockett) has agreed to trade her property for the Chapel South property at no cost to either ULC or Linda. If the congregation approves this exchange of property, MAPC will incorporate this property into the plans. A congregational meeting will be scheduled later this fall to discuss this opportunity for expansion to the north and vote to allow the ULC Council to sign contracts and move forward with this exchange of property. The specific details of this exchange of property will be available to the ULC members prior to and at this congregational meeting.
Once the location of the addition to ULC is determined, the committee will then focus on how to use the additional space. All members of ULC are invited to join MAPC to look at preliminary planning alternatives from the Architects at its regular meetings. Watch the bulletin for the meeting time and place or call Ken Jorgenson, xxx-xxxx.
Respectfully
submitted by the Mission Advancement Planning Committee
Ken
Jorgenson, Chair, Fred Schmidt, Susy Jorgenson,
Roger
Bain, Cal Stoltenberg, Dave Boeck, Carol Hoadley, Paul Kline, Phil Carlson, Pastor Mike Girlinghouse, Roy Strom.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 - Mary Jane Gastgeb, Bellvue, PA
4 - Jahn Eric Olson
5 - Kenneth Gastgeb, Carnegie, PA
7 - Luke Gastgeb, Norman
8 - Pam Wallace, Charleston, WV
9 - Theresa Balan
11 - Kelsey Busking, Walsh, CO
12 - Kathy Maytubby, Norton, VA
14 - Casey Kudrna, Norman
Kristin Rader, OKC
15 - Lee Savage
David Sullivan
16 - Michael White
Doug Gransberg - Miles City, MT
Elizabeth Mechem - Seattle, WA
25 - Robert Crawford
Steve Livesey, San Fernando, CA
Cole Singleton
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
3 - Helmut and Gretel Fischbeck
10 - Herbert and Esther Kuhlman
13 - Steve and Norma Tretheway
15 - Richard and Tamara Swenson
21 - Doug and Gwen Gransberg
23 - Kristen and Lon Ocker
Statistics -
July
2007 Worship Attendance
|
|
7/1/07 |
7/8/07 |
7/15/07 |
7/22/07 |
7/29/07 |
Average |
|
8:30 |
73 |
70 |
62 |
54 |
52 |
62 |
|
11:00 |
74 |
63 |
100 |
56 |
90 |
76 |
|
2007 |
147 |
133 |
162 |
110 |
142 |
138 |