The Bridge Page 1 Christ the Lord Lutheran Church (CTL) A Reconciling in Christ Congregation 847-741-8141 FAX: 847-741-8165 Email: [email protected]Website: www.ctlelgin.org October Bridge deadline – September 15, 2016 Send items to Karin K at [email protected]or leave in mailbox on the top of the mail slots outside the church office. The Bridge September 2016 We are centered in Christ and reach out to care. We proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. We equip and teach for spiritual growth. We worship passionately. We minister to the physical and spiritual needs of others. We discern and use the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We invite and involve others with a welcoming heart. CTL Office Hours Monday: Office closed Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. These are the regularly scheduled hours for Peggy Letourneau. Dss. Andrea available beyond these hours—just call! For Pastoral needs during this time of transition, please contact Pr. Michael Rothaar at 630-865-5246
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Christ the Lord Lutheran Church (CTL) A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Contents *COME ONE COME ALL* ........................................................................................................................ 4 *WORSHIP NEWS* ................................................................................................................................. 7 Sunday Morning Schedule ...................................................................................................................... 7 Scripture Lessons for September ............................................................................................................. 7 *FROM OUR LEADERSHIP* ..................................................................................................................... 8 From Our Pastor ..................................................................................................................................... 8 *GET INVOLVED* .................................................................................................................................. 11 Vision Taskforce Save-the-Date ............................................................................................................ 11 God’s Work, Our Hands ........................................................................................................................ 11 Prayer Shawls ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Bound and Ungagged ........................................................................................................................... 12 Rootin’ Tootin’ Hootenanny .................................................................................................................. 13 Making Soups and Dips for Craft Show ................................................................................................. 13 Love Elgin Day ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Thanksgiving Food Baskets ................................................................................................................... 14 Celebrate 150 Years of LSSI! ................................................................................................................. 14 Kids Hope at CTL ................................................................................................................................... 15 July Financial Report ............................................................................................................................. 15 Vineyard Breakfast ............................................................................................................................... 16 Habitat for Humanity News .................................................................................................................. 17 Scrip Fundraising .................................................................................................................................. 17 *LEARNING* ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Adult Study Groups ............................................................................................................................... 18 Morning Bible Study ............................................................................................................................. 18 Adult Forum – ....................................................................................................................................... 18 *PRAYER REQUESTS*............................................................................................................................ 19 *SPECIAL DATES TO REMEMBER* ........................................................................................................ 20 *THANK YOU* ...................................................................................................................................... 21 *CHRIST THE LORD LUTHERAN CHURCH* ............................................................................................ 22
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*COME ONE COME ALL* For future events, be sure the church office and Bridge editor and Dss. Andrea receive date and time information so calendars and space needs are all correct! Please click on blue hyperlinks for more information.
Scripture Lessons for September Sunday Sept. 4 – Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1 (3) Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33 Color: Green Sunday Sept. 11 – Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 32:7-14 Psalm 51:1-10 (1) 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 Color: Green
Sunday Sept. 18 – Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Amos 8:4-7 Psalm 113 (7) 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 Sunday Sept. 25 – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Psalm 146 (7) 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31 Color: Green
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*FROM OUR LEADERSHIP*
From Our Pastor It’s a startling statistic. Every month, around the world, 322
people are murdered because they are Christians. 214 properties are destroyed because they are Christian churches. 722 acts of violence are committed against individuals: they may be beaten, raped, or imprisoned because they are Christians.
I mentioned this on August 14, when the Gospel text was from Luke 12, where Jesus warned his followers (verses 51) that the presence of God’s kingdom in the world would bring about division; I promised to repeat here in "The Bridge" the address where you can get more information about global persecution of Christians. www.opendoorsusa.org is the website through which an organization provides information and raises funds in an effort to serve persecuted Christians. [Charity Navigator gives this group an overall 87.5 rating (out of 100) with four stars for accountability and transparency.]
This is not to say, of course, that other religious groups are not sometimes targeted. In more than a hundred countries around the world, Muslims face some form of oppression. This is part of a general deterioration in civility and inter-religious relations – according to the Pew Research Center, in just five years the percentage of countries with high religious hostilities has grown from 20% to 33%. The situation is made worse by those who defame Muslims in general because of violent extremists.
Yet, it is still important for us to celebrate Christian witness whenever we find it. It is an inspiration to hear it from victims of violence in North Korea, Nigeria, Iraq, or Syria. It is hopeful when we hear it from those who suffer legal sanctions for practicing their faith in places like Saudi Arabia, and it is equally ennobling to hear from those who speak boldly of their faith even in the increasingly secularized cultures of Europe and the United States.
Listen carefully, and you will even hear witness from the Olympics. Simone Manuel (the first African-American U.S. gold medal-winning swimmer) heads her Twitter feed with Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”, and the first words out of her mouth during the post-swim interview (although NBC cut these words from their later highlights) were, “All
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glory to God.” Superstar women’s gymnastics champion Simone Biles, has a quieter form of witness: she carries a rosary in her gym bag, goes to church every Sunday with her grandparents who raised her, and lights a candle and prays before every meet. Swimming superstar Katie Ledecky credits her faith in God, her prayer life, and her Catholic school education with the grounding that she has needed to give her focus and hope.
There is a nice piece about religion and athletics at http://religionnews.com/2016/08/11/faith-olympics-rio-edge In a world that so often says, “We want nothing to do with God,” be thankful for those who know and declare that we are not alone.
The churchwide assembly of the ELCA was held in New Orleans, August 8 – 13. See www.livinglutheran.org (or read the September issue if you still get a paper copy) for reporting on all the events there. In terms of witness to the world about Christian unity, I’m especially pleased at the unanimous positive reception of “Declaration on the Way.” First proposed in 2011 by Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the idea is that Lutherans and Roman Catholics study the past five decades of interfaith dialogue to find where agreement had already been reached. This document is the product of a task force from the ELCA and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and its reception here means that it will now move forward both to Rome and to the Lutheran World Federation.
This effort contributes to others by the LWF. The state of relations between Lutherans and Catholics has captured the attention of Pope Francis, who has accepted an LWF invitation to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation during a prayer service in Sweden on Oct. 31, which will kick off a year-long commemoration by the global Lutheran Church, which includes more than 70 million believers.
The heart of the document the assembly received is the “Statement of Agreements.” On church, ministry and Eucharist, the Declaration draws together a litany of 32 consensus statements, where Catholics and Lutherans already have said there are not church-dividing differences between them. An additional section identifies areas where disagreements still exist but suggesting some ways forward. The complete document is available at http://www.elca.org/Declaration-on-the-Way .
May God strengthen his church to be a force for justice, mercy and truth.
Vision Taskforce Save-the-Date What's happening at CTL? Is the task force still meeting?
Just what is the task force doing? If you haven't asked those questions you may have, at least, thought them. CTL is in the process of discernment; seeking God's direction and looking to our future. Yes, the task force is still meeting. For many, meetings sometimes drag on and minds sometimes wander, but not so at the task force meetings. A mouse in the corner would see people actively involved, listening, responding, pondering, questioning and always moving forward. At the August meeting the group worked to formulate the questions we'll all discuss at the World Cafe meetings. Mark your calendar for either September 27 or October 1! Plan to attend! Let your voice be heard! Don't wonder what "they" are doing! "They" are the church; you are the church; WE ARE THE CHURCH TOGETHER! Sign up to attend. Be part of the future of CTL!
1:15 P.M. Projects begin Place: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
What: "God’s Work. Our hands." day is a church wide event that focuses on serving the community. Each church that participates chooses places/projects in their community to serve. The 4 Elgin ELCA churches have combined efforts the last three years so we can reach out and serve more people in Elgin and surrounding areas. What you can expect: An afternoon of serving, meeting new people from other churches, and an opportunity to make a difference in our community. Projects for this year are listed below along with any materials that the project leader may be requesting. Before lunch, everyone will be able to hear more about the projects and then have the opportunity to sign up for the project of their choice.
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Lowrie School – outside painting (bring paint brush)
Food for Greater Elgin – painting inside and landscaping
(bring paint brush and/or gloves)
Anderson Animal Shelter – inside, making animal toys,
shredding paper
Assembling Blessing Bags for the homeless – inside at Holy
Trinity
Assembling and delivering thank you baskets for fire and
police departments – at Holy Trinity to assemble, then going
out in small groups to deliver
Card Making – making cards for blessing bags and thank
you baskets
Bread for the World Advocacy letters – at Holy Trinity
LSSI – inside painting (bring paintbrush or roller) and outside
landscaping)
SIGN UP AT CHURCH NOW!!!!!
Prayer Shawls Sherman Hospital is in need of Prayer Shawls for patients. Please let the church office know if you are able to make a shawl. Shawls may be dropped off at CTL. Summer of Service Opportunity
Bound and Ungagged We are reading Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee for our Sat., Sept. 3 meeting. We meet at 8:00 a.m. at Colonial Cafe on McLean Blvd. We have currently been meeting in the corner to the left as you enter the restaurant. You are welcome to join us for a delicious breakfast, fellowship and some great discussion on the books that we read. At our Sat., Oct. 1 meeting, we will be discussing Among The Missing by Dan Chaon. If you have any questions or would like to suggest a book that you have read and think the book club would be interested in reading, please contact Carol H.
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Rootin’ Tootin’ Hootenanny Worship 9:30 A.M. Picnic: games begin after worship 11:30 A.M. food service begins Cakewalk Games Music Tacos Hot Dogs Quesadillas Face Painting Raffle Piñata And more! Adults $8.00 Kids up to age 12 $4.00 Families (up to 2 adults and kids) $25.00 Includes food and games!
Christ the Lord Lutheran Church 12N462 Tina Trail * Elgin, IL.
Making Soups and Dips for Craft Show Each year the soups and dips sold at the Craft Show are a best seller. We would like to invite you to help us assemble them. We will be putting together jars for Chicken Noodle Soup, Beef Barley Soup, and BBQ Beans and making packages of 3 different kinds of dips.
We will be meeting at church on Saturday, October 22nd, at 1:00 P.M.
If you would like to help by donating some of the supplies needed, contact Carol E for a complete list.
Join us for fun and fellowship. Friends are always welcome. Questions? Call Carol E at 847-695-0833.
Love Elgin Day Love Elgin Day is an event involving over 40 Christian
churches and schools in the Elgin area. On this day, people in need are provided with free food, clothing, lunches, and services. It is held on Sat., Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Elgin. CTL has been asked to help with donations of warm clothing, clean and in good condition, nonperishable food, and books by Christian authors. If you can help, bring your donations to CTL on or before Sun., Sept. 18. Food and books may be left in the Caring Cube; clothing, in the marked box in the Narthex, or place bags of clothing near the same box.
CROP
The Elgin CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for Sun., Oct. 16. The purpose of the walk is to raise funds for providing food and services to those in need, both locally and worldwide. In the past, CROP has helped victims of storms, flooding, drought, and more. On Sun., Oct. 9, Social Ministry will host a bake sale for CROP called Cookies by Choice. At this sale, buyers may select from a wide array of cookies, choosing the quantity and varieties that they like best. People wishing to help CROP can do so by being walkers, buying cookies, or donating at the bake sale.
Thanksgiving Food Baskets For many years, our church provided baskets of food to
needy families in the U46 school district in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some of these baskets are for families with no cooking facilities. The “baskets” are large sturdy bags packed with enough nonperishable food supplies for several meals. To buy perishables, the families also receive a small amount of funds in the form of a grocery store certificate. The food basket ministry could not happen without donations of food from the congregation. Please sign-up to make a donation. Sign-ups will begin on Sun., Oct. 23 and all food will need to be brought to CTL on or before Sun., Nov. 13.
On October 31, 2016, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) turns 150! The organization is planning celebrations and commemorations to honor a century and a half of “bringing healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities.” LSSI would like to hear from people who have been affected by its services over the years and who want to share their stories. Please contact Barb Hailey, Director of Communications and Advancement, at [email protected] or (847) 635-4686.
Kids Hope at CTL Summer flew by and now school is back in session.
Mentors have either met with their kids or will be starting very soon. For some there will be a sense of joy that the fun times have begun again. For others there may be a hesitation and wondering if things will be the same as last year. I can predict what my little girl will say, with a scowl on her face. "Where have you been? You didn't come to see me!" I'll ask her if she was at school. "No". Then I'll remind her that there was no one at school and that I'll always be there if she is. Then off we'll go again for another year of time just for the two of us. I am truly blessed to be a part of her life, even if it's only a lunch hour once a week.
CTL is known for outreach and service in many areas of need in the community. Kids Hope is one opportunity to be involved and make a difference. Join the group of mentors! Training is available! The commitment of one hour a week with just one child is all that is needed. The rewards are many! Talk to Jeanne T or Carri N if you have questions or want to know more. If this isn't your thing or you don't have the time, you could volunteer as a Prayer Partner or just remember KHUSA in your prayers.
July Financial Report Gifts Given Gifts Expected July $17,091 $20,020 -$2,929 Year to date 108,592 115,541 -6,949 Spent for our Mission 97,060 +$11,532 [income-outgo] July Gift card profit $85 Year to date $309
We are not a congregation where people are just expected
to show up. We are called to be a congregation that seeks to be transformed and transform our community. We want to live out the gospel message of Jesus. We do not want to “just go to church” (consumer) but “be the church” (missional). Consumer Church Missional Church Dispenses religious goods and services
People sent on a mission, who gather for worship, community encouragement and teaching from the Word in addition to their devotional life during the week.
People come to be “fed,” to have their needs met and professionals teach.
I go to church is different from I am the church
To be a missional church also means we understand all we have and are comes from the grace of God. We see such daily in our life, not only when the fall stewardship appeal comes. Celebration Sunday is October 16 when we joyfully return our 2017 Estimates of Giving. Please be ardent in prayer as we consider this spiritual response and make significant strides in our financial giving, as well as service. Arlyn T, Stewardship Chair
Vineyard Breakfast CTL is providing breakfast for the needy at the Vineyard
Church in downtown Elgin on the third Thursday of each month. Breakfasts start at 7:00 a.m. We are providing sandwiches, fruit, etc. Anyone who would like to help by donating food, preparing, or serving, then please contact Barb B.
Habitat for Humanity News New house project starting Sept. 10th
There is a family of five waiting to move into their new house to start making memories. Are you ready to work? Our New Hope Habitat for Humanity partnership will be working on the rehab of a house beginning Sat., Sept. 10 and is expected to take approx. 10 weeks. Items that need to be done include painting, new flooring, installing light fixtures, and yard work. All work will be done under the supervision of a project director. You can work a whole day or part of a day as your time allows. All construction supplies are provided as well as job instruction.
House is located at 611 Margaret in Elgin.
Workdays will be Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Bring your own lunch.
Volunteers must be 18 years old OR 16-17 years with an adult.
Sign-up to volunteer to help with rehab by registering at the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley website—www.habitatnfv.org. Sign-up for as many workdays as you like or get a group together!
Contact Carol E at 847-695-0833 with questions.
Scrip Fundraising Simply return an order form with your check to the church
on Sunday. You will receive a new order form each week. You may pick up your order the following Sunday at the church.
We encourage you to take advantage of the wonderful benefits offered by this on-going fundraiser. If you have questions, please talk to Mary N 847-828-0027 or Dorothy G 847- 888-4484.
Bible and Brew will still meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Squire, Dundee. We gather for an hour of fellowship and fun as we discuss our faith and how it affects our daily lives. The topics are wide-ranging and interesting! So, come grab a beverage or order a meal (Tuesdays have half-price burgers!) and grow in faith with one another. Contacts are Henrietta N or Carol B
Morning Bible Study Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. The discussion centers on the upcoming Sunday’s liturgical readings. Leader: Pr. Rothaar
Adult Forum – As the fall education program resumes, Pastor will again be
leading the Adult Forum on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. In response to a number of requests, he has found a book to discuss that he thinks will be of interest to many – even though the title might mislead you into thinking it is not for you! It is an inexpensive choice on Amazon, and there will have copies available for sale at church as well: Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side by family-life blogger Natasha Crain (Harvest House, 2016).
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*PRAYER REQUESTS* From August 28, 2016
Please pray for those who are part of the life of CTL who struggle with illness and other concerns, especially: Toni B, Linda B, Bob & Diane B, Jessica B, Patsy B, Teri C, Karen C, Caitlin D, Al D, Jan & Howard E, Barb L, Dick & Dena M, Karl N, Dolores S, Arlyn T, Pam W, and Marcy W. Please pray for those in care facilities or at home, especially: At Home: Ursula H Please pray for those in military service, especially: Brandt J, Matt K, and John Y
Please pray for our family and friends, especially: Kim A ........................................................... niece of Mary T Bob & Linda D .......................................... cousins of Diane B Dorothy ..........................................................friend of Barb L Pam E ................................................................. friend of T’s Dorothy E ................................................... mother of Carol H Sue G ............................................................ friend of Mary T Ruth H .......................................... sister-in-law of Cheri Lee L Katy ........................................................... neighbor of Teri C Mar K ................................................. sister-in-law of Dena M Grace K .......................................................... aunt of Carol H Marjorie K............................................................................... ........................................... sister-in-law of Frank & Corrine A Chris L ........................................................ friend of Diane B Joan L ......................................... sister-in-law of Cheri Lee L Marti .............................................................. sister of Cate M Pr. Ernie R .....................................................visiting minister Carter R ...................................... grandson of Barb L’s friend Salma ............................................. granddaughter of Jacki B Cory S ........................................... friend of Steve & Susan T Taryn and Charlene ............ grandniece and sister of Arlyn T. Don V ............................................................ father of Holly V Paul W ..................................................... brother of Marcy W Judy W ........................................................ friend of Diane B
Please pray for those who have passed, especially: Pat P ..........................................member of the congregation
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*SPECIAL DATES TO REMEMBER* If you have a September event and it does not appear on the lists, please let us know so we can update our records. [email protected]
*THANK YOU* Holy Holes – Earl & Luann L, Ben & Jenn S, John M
Altar Flowers – Craig & Dale B, Dave & Vicki S, Earl & Luann L, Howard
& Jan E, Barb L. Nursery A very warm thank-you is extended to all the people who faithfully helped Sandy M and Barb B care for the young children who were in the CTL Nursery during church in the past two (or more) years. These assistants were Jacki B, Diane B, Sarah C, Andrea D, Caitlin D, Zach M, Karl N, Nicklas N, Kathy S, Vicki S, Jane T, Jeanne T, Holly V, and Zachary Z. Junior helpers were Lizzie D and Jessica Z. All these people helped to make this ministry a success as our Child Protection policy requires that two adults (or a youth and an adult) be present at all times when young children are in attendance. As you can see, we couldn’t have done this without you! CTL hosted Soup Kettle on July 29th. Patty H planned and cooked a delicious meal. She was assisted by Karen C, Jeanne T, John M, Carol E, Marcy and Howard W, Sharon L and her granddaughter, Isabella, Bob L, Lowell B, and Barb B. This ministry would not be possible without this large group of people. Thanks everyone for volunteering your helping hands to feed our hungry guests! The next time CTL serves at Soup Kettle is Fri., Sept. 30. Our remaining date for 2016 is Dec. 30. A big thank you to all Bridge writers for getting their articles in to me for the September issue. I know sometimes early deadlines can be an inconvenience but doing so helps me take vacation time without my computer in tow. Karin K, Bridge Editor
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