University Lutheran Church and Student CenterApril 2008
914 Elm Ave., Norman, OK 73072
WELCOME STUDENTS
…Then go quickly and tell his disciples ‘he has been raised from the dead.’”
—Matthew 28:7
Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” were terrified by the appearance of the angel at Jesus’ tomb. The were startled by his news that Jesus had risen. But the angel calms their fears and then sends them on a mission to tell the others about the Resurrection. At the end of chapter 28, Jesus sends all the disciples out to tell the world the Good News that death had been defeated.
That mission is still ours today. But, we are still afraid. We’re afraid our message won’t be heeded. We’re afraid we’ll be rejected or labeled as fanatics. We’re afraid of offending others. We’re afraid of the consequences. The word for us is the same as it was for the two Marys: “don’t be afraid.”
The Bible assures us that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak (Luke 21:15). Our goal is not to “convert” anyone (that’s the Spirit’s work) but to simply tell the story of God’s love for us and for the world in Jesus Christ. We simply need to be open about how important our faith is to us. We simply need to be clear about how our faith shapes our lives and lifestyles. We can do this directly, by saying so. We can do it indirectly, by acting so.
As we tell our story and bear witness to our faith, we also invite people to “come and see” for themselves (John 1:43-46). You don’t need to invite people to worship (at least not the first time). Invite them to a fellowship event. Our monthly congregational potluck is a great place to introduce someone to University Lutheran! Invite them to your small group. Invite them to one of the other groups where you are involved.
In the format for our new Small Group Ministry, the groups are always encouraged to have an empty chair in the meeting space. That chair is there to remind us of the ones Christ has called us to invite, to welcome and to serve. That chair is there to remind us that it is part of our Christian calling to always be reaching out. That chair is to remind us that there are still people around us who
have not heard (really heard) the Good
www.ulcsc.org ulc@ulcsc.org
News that death has been defeated. And when that chair is filled, we can always get out another one!
At our March Congregation Council meeting we discussed our outreach to one another and to the Norman community. One of the things that came up several times was the importance of one on one invitation and relationships in touching people’s lives with the Gospel. Almost all of us could recount stories about how one individual impacted the lives of another, and how that impact rippled out like a stone tossed in a pond. That’s the way our congregation will grow.
As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection over the next several weeks, look around you. Ask yourself who in your life may need to hear the Good News that Jesus was raised from the dead. Think about the ways you can make that message real in your life and the way you live it. Invite some to come and see that Good News in action. Fill that empty chair.
See YOU in church……with a friend!
Peace,
Pastor Mike
| To read your bible in a year, means reading approximately three chapters a day. Here is the schedule for: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 |
| Sunday | 2 Samuel 16-18 | 1 Kings 10-12 | 2 Kings 7-9 | Hosea 1-2 |
| Monday | 2 Samuel 19-21 | 1 Kings 13-15 | 2 Kings 10-12 | Hosea 3-4 |
| Tuesday | 2 Samuel 22-24 | 1 Kings 16-18 | 2 Kings 13-15 | Hosea 5-7 |
| Wednesday | 1 Kings 1-3 | 1 Kings 19-22 | 2 Kings 16-18 | Hosea 8-9 |
| Thursday | 1 Kings 4-6 | 2 Kings 1-3 | 2 Kings 19-21 | Hosea 10-11 |
| Friday | 1 Kings 7-9 | 2 Kings 4-6 | 2 Kings 22-25 | Hosea 12-14 |
| Saturday | Acts 2:14a, 36-42 | Acts 2:42-47 | Acts 7:55-60 | Acts 17:22-31 |
| 1 Peter 1:17-23 | 1 Peter 2:19-25 | 1 Peter 2:2-10 | 1 Peter 3:13-22 | |
| Luke 24:13-35 | John 10:1-10 | John 14:1-14 | John 14:15-21 | |
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler is the book selected for discussion by WoW for April. It is available for a discount at the checkout counter from Borders Books in Norman. Women of ULC and friends are invited to bring a sack lunch and join us each Friday 12 noon-1 p.m. for lively discussions of books selected by the group.
“The China that Hessler portrays in River Town, his finely drawn memoir of two years in Fuling, is a place on the knife-edge between stasis and change, where centuries-old certainties can vanish in a single revolutionary instant. Much has already been buried by the rising tides of the past century, and much more stands to be lost.
“Hessler arrived in Fuling in 1996 to teach English classes at a local college, as one of the first two Peace Corps volunteers to serve there— only three years after China first allowed the group into the country. And in fact, as far as his hosts were concerned, Hessler didn’t represent the Peace Corps at all, but rather something called Meizhong Youhou Zhiyuanzhe, ‘’U.S.-China Friendship Volunteers.’’ The term ‘’Peace Corps’’ had been so hopelessly tainted for most Chinese by decades of anti-American propaganda that a euphemism had to be invented.
“It wasn’t an auspicious start for a young man who had just given up a fledgling career in literary studies because he was fleeing the revisionist jargon of deconstructionists and multiculturalists. And the Communist cadres at Fuling Teachers’ College made the faculty tyrants of Princeton and Oxford look rather feeble by comparison. Before long, Hessler discovered that his mail was being opened, and his classroom comments reported to the authorities. Even worse, the students and other teachers had been quietly warned not to associate with him outside class.
“Yet the resourceful Hessler managed nonetheless to teach his pupils not just Dickens and Shakespeare, Beowulf and Faulkner, but also some sly lessons about their own culture.”
From a New York Times book review by Adam Goodheart
Contact persons for WoW are Arlis Scott (xxx-xxxx) and Mary Sue Schnell (xxx-xxxx)
Pastor Michael K. Girlinghouse Cell phone 405/313-7268
Director of Christian Education
Chris Lee
Director of Music
Sammie Olkinetzky
Organist
Cindy Pullin
Secretary
Marti Hunnicutt
Accountant
Debbie Downey
Custodian
Alem Gidey
Council President
Bob Metz
May
Shalom Deadline:
April 22
Send submissions to
shalom@ulcsc.org
If you have a submission for the Shalom, please e-mail them to: shalom@ulcsc.org. We can accept any Microsoft Office 2003, or 2007 document, or Adobe. For questions, comments or suggestions, contact Heidi Somers at shalom@ulcsc.org or call me at cell xxx-xxxx.
I can also be reached by email at hsomers@classicnet.net, Hidela@aol.com, or my blackberry at hsomers@tbip.net
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Join Hands Day
May 10
Join Hands Day is a Thrivent sponsored, youth planned service event that usually takes place the first Saturday of May at the conclusion of National Volunteer Week. This year, the youth of the 3 congregations in our chapter are hoping to do 2 projects, one in Norman and one in Moore. The 2 events will happen May 10, 9am-2pm and June 1, 2-6pm.
The youth plan the event but we really encourage everyone in the congregation to come out and help us make a difference. This is meant as an opportunity for the whole chapter to work together. More information will be coming in the May Shalom.
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Loving Care
Loving Childcare Providers Needed! ULC is looking for additional help in the church nursery for either the early service or late service. This could be a paid position. You can work as often or as little as you like. Please consider helping ULC staff with this important aspect of our ministry. If interested, please speak with either Chris or Kirsten Lee.
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Worship Attendance
Pastor Mike’s
Manuscripts of Pastor Mike’s sermons are available online at http:/ /ulcsc.org/sermons/. There are also print copies of his sermons available on the tract cabinet in the narthex. Share them with a friend… …then invite them to come to worship and hear one live!
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The Lutheran Course:
It’s back! For a second time, there will be a Wednesday evening study on Lutheran beliefs and practices from Augsburg’s The Lutheran Course. This is a humorous look at Lutheranism complete with Martin “Winky” Luther and his wife Katy Lu. We will look at everything from the “How to Tell the Difference Between Law and Gospel” to “How to Read the Bible”. We will meet for 6 Wednesdays from 630-8pm, March 26th through April 30th . If you have missed a session or 2, it’s OK! Come join us now!
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Hymn Festival
University Lutheran will host a hymn festival featuring our new organ on Sunday, May 4 beginning at 3 PM. Organists Cindy Pullin and John Schwandt will lead us. Come to sing and enjoy the sounds and songs of our faith!
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| 2/3/08 | 2/10/08 | 2/17/08 | 2/24/08 | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | 73 | 77 | 70 | 77 | 74 |
| 11:00 | 84 | 95 | 103 | 74 | 88 |
| 2008 | 157 | 172 | 173 | 151 | 163 |
Youth Spaghetti
A while back the Fellowship Committee approached us about doing a fundraiser for the youth. After some discussion, the youth decided to hold the fundraiser and use the money raised to sponsor a child in Mexico.
The cost for a 1 year sponsorship is $384. Isaias Ramirez, was born Nov 20, 1998, and is 9 years old. He has 2 siblings, enjoys playing soccer and ball games and regularly attends church activities and Bible class. Isaias is also mute and deaf.
The supper will be April 26 starting at 530pm and will include a free will offering. If you like to help us sponsor this child but are not interested or available for the supper, feel free to donate through the church office or talk to Chris Lee.
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Confirmation Retreat
Planned
Way back in December, the confirmation class planned a retreat on Baptism. Then came the ice storm, clean-up and the threat of more bad weather, so we cancelled. But, we still need to talk about Baptism, so we rescheduled for Saturday, May 10 from 9 AM – 3 PM. The weather is sure to be better! We may even get to play with some water balloons! Confirmands… come wearing something that could possibly get wet.
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(405) 321-1584
Return Service Requested
Sunday Schedule 8:30am Contemporary Worship Service 9:30am Build-Your-Own Breakfast 9:55am Sunday School for All Ages 11:00am Traditional Worship Service
Mission Advancement Planning Committee (MAPC) Update: MAPC continues to work with our architects to refine the plans for the building expansion and renovation. The design is getting closer to completion and includes many of the ideas surfaced during the discussions we had in January. Hopefully, a new set of drawings will be ready to present to the congregation in April or early May. The big news is that we have successfully completed the rezoning process with the city of Norman! This clears the way for the property exchange between the Locketts and the church to be made official. The final closing will occur sometime in the next few weeks. Many, many thanks to everyone who has worked to shepherd this through the Norman City Council.
Congregation Potluck
The monthly congregational potluck is scheduled for Saturday night, April 19 starting at 5:30 PM. These events are for everyone in the congregation: young or old, married or single, male or female. Just bring a dish to pass! Beverages are provided. See YOU on the
19th!
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 14
Norman, OK
Committee Night!
Everyone who serves on a University Lutheran committee is invited to set aside Thursday, May 8 from 7-9 PM for an evening of dreaming, planning and coordinating our ministry for the next six months. The evening will start with a time for devotion and bible study led by Pastor Mike. Then, the committees will break into their separate groups to look at plans through the end of the year.
Doing this together will give the committees the opportunity to coordinate events, ask one another for help and make sure schedules work. Finally, we’ll come together and lay out our plans.
Not serving on a committee? No problem! All the church committees need new people! New ideas, new energy, and new perspectives are always welcome. Everyone is invited! This is a great opportunity to check out a number of committee groups and get involved in the one that interests you.
Dessert and coffee will be served!
1 -David Droescher, Denver, CO Alex Feldt, Norman, OK Cal Stoltenberg, Pleasant Valley, NE
3 -Steven Powers
6 -Debby Busking,
Chillicothe, MO
Antoinette Longcrier,
Norman, OK
9 -Kathy Gastgeb, Etna, CA David Klumpp, Ridgewood, NY 11 -Konrad Klumpp, Oklahoma City, OK
13 -Mark Biven David Gastgeb, Carnegie, PA Marissa James
14 -John Lindsey Kate Ocker 15 -Jacob Grasmick, Noble, OK 18 -Janell Cannicott,
Norman, OK 19 -Morgan Bryant 20 -Dan Davis, Austin, TX 21 -Braden Stoltenberg,
Lubbock, TX
Mary Madole, Chesapeake,VA Nicole Molskness, Duluth, Minnesota
23 -Mary Ann Purcell
26 -Joe Bretz
29 -Ken Miner,
Providence, R.I.
30 -Cheryl Jorgenson,
Lake Preston, S.D.
4-20 Fred and Kathy Schmidt
New Members
New members will be received at University Lutheran on Sunday, May 4 at both services. If you or someone you know would like to join the congregation, please talk to Pastor Mike.
We are also looking for sponsors for the New Members. Sponsors help introduce the new members to others at ULCSC and help integrate them into congregational life. If you would be willing to sponsor a new member, let Pastor Mike know.
Worship Highlights
April 20 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 7:55-60 1 Peter 2:2-10 John 14:1-14
When we put our trust in Jesus we have someplace to build our lives, our future and our eternity. Sermon: Jesus: General Contractor
April 27 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 17:22-31 1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21
Grounded in Christ’s love and in response to his resurrection, we seek to live in righteousness. Sermon: Accountability
May 4 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 24:44-53
As Jesus ascends to his Father, he sends his disciples to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to the nations. Sermon: Up and Out
Apr 20 AYS @ ULC, 2-4pm
Apr 26 Youth Spaghetti
Fundraiser, 530pm
May 3 Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8am
May 10
Join Hands Day, 9-2
May 11 Last day of Sunday School
Mothers Day
May 18 Confirmation
Baccalaureate
May 26 Blue Lane Derby
June 1 Join Hands Day, 2-6
University Lutheran’s group for YOUNG ADULTS (age 18-29)
If you like laughter, great food, good conversation and a relaxed place to talk about your faith… then Taizé Tuesdays are for you! Young Adults gather each Tuesday night at the Triplex (the building on college just to the south of the church parking lot) for a free home cooked meal, a time for informal worship and discussion. The meal starts at 6 PM and the worship time at 6:44 PM. Right now, we’re talking about the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. New faces are always welcome!
The next SOUL Food will be Sunday, May 4. What is SOUL Food? It is a time for fellowship and fun! We will gather in the narthex after late service (around 12:15 PM), select a local eatery and then go out to lunch together! SOUL picks up the tab. Bring a friend!
For the OU students in SOUL, Finals are quickly approaching. We wrap up each semester serving delicious, from scratch pancakes (all you can eat) along with sausages, juice, coffee and, of course all the fixings! This Semester’s Pancake feed will be Monday, May 5 from 11 PM to 1 AM (over the midnight hour). Everyone is welcome! Congregation members are needed to help serve. There will be a sign-up in the narthex at the end of April.
Students from OU and other area schools are invited to study at the Triplex Monday-Thursdays from 7-10 PM. A peer minister is always on duty to welcome you! There is Wi-Fi, snacks and pop… for FREE!
This month for All Youth Service(AYS), we are inviting all youth and Sunday School students to help us beautify the Student Center (triplex) and the church grounds. In honor of Earth Day, we will plan annuals and other plants on April 20, 2-4pm, so bring your dirty jeans!
Peace
“The peace of God which surpasses all understanding…”
What do think of? What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear peace? Be honest… Is it an evening without the kids at home? Is it wishing the neighbor would not mow the lawn at 730am on Saturday? Is it just the complete lack of sound? Where does your peace come from?
I myself can find peace most readily in the woods. The sounds of birds and squirrels and water and all of creation draw me closer to God and soothe me. Living in town can sometimes make it hard to get to that peaceful spot, that time away from everything but God. You have to make time to be at peace. People often tell me they wish they could have more time to pray or come to worship or do retreats or any of those other things that help us draw close to God. The fact is everyone has a 60 minute hour, a 24 hour day and a 7 day week. We all have to carve out a niche in our busy lives to be still and know God. It can be 10 seconds at a stoplight, 4 minutes in the shower, a half hour of lights out before sleep or even just a deep breath in the middle of another hectic day to remember, you are a child of God; a frantic, crazy, neglectful, completely loved, child of God. Rest securely, be at peace.
Chris Lee