The Invitation of the Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County your invitation to fellowship, learning, serving, and celebrating July/August 2020 Sharing God ’ s Word by embracing and serving all as God ’ s faithful family. Worship during COVID-19 As we keep saying, we will have our activities unless COVID numbers in our area spike up. As we all know, the numbers are creeping up and we must continue to be smart and safe. By July 5 all of our SLM churches will be having in-person worship at their regular times. We are following safety procedures and ask you to do the same. *If you are in the ‘vulnerable’ category, we encourage you to worship at home. We continue to broadcast on Facebook (Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County) and YouTube (SLM Worship) and on our website (sharedlutheranministry.org). We also broadcast the audio through KTIM 89.1 at noon on Sundays. If coming in person, please: *Wear your mask as you enter and leave worship. We prefer that you wear it throughout the service if possible. *Sanitize your hands as you enter the sanctuary (sanitizer provided) *Pick up your bulletin and communion kit as you enter. Leave your offering on your way in or out. *Share the Peace with a wave. No touching. *You may sit with family or others that you are seeing regularly. Otherwise, space yourselves from others. Pews are marked so you will be 6-10 feet apart. *We are speaking the liturgy and singing just a couple of verses of hymns *Volunteers are cleaning the pews and commonly touched areas of the churches, including doorknobs and bathrooms. If you would like to volunteer, contact your church council *We are not using greeters or ushers (to minimize touching); however, there are folks by the doors to help you navigate the new rules. Questions about procedures? Just call the church office, Pastor or Vicar or a council member. August 9 – Farewell to Vicar Jonathan and Anitta Aug. 9 will be Vicar Jonathan’s last Sunday with SLM. We will have a joint worship service at Rutersville at 10:00 am followed by a meal (depending on how/if we can gather) – or at least donuts on the lawn. We have appreciated his ministry with us and he has blessed us in many ways. When we say good-bye, we bless him on his way and promise that we will release him from involvement with us so he can focus on ministry in his new setting. August 23-We welcome Vicar Cole and Amanda August 23 – our new intern begins his year with us. Cole McGlynn and his wife Amanda will move in to the Rutersville parsonage on or around Aug. 19. We will plan for him to shadow me Aug 23 and 30, then I will shadow him Sept. 6 and 13. We will meet Vicar Cole more fully in the September Invitation. James Averyt Memorial Service A memorial service for James Averyt will be held in the Rutersville sanctuary on July 2 at 11:00 am. Rules for physical distancing and safety will apply. Sunday, July 5 Worship on July 5 will have the theme “One Nation Under God”.
Transcript
The
I n v i t a t i o n o f t h e S h a r e d L u t h e r a n M i n i s t r y
o f F a y e t t e C o u n t y
your invitation to fellowship, learning, serving, and celebrating
July/August 2020
Shar ing God ’s W ord by embrac ing and se rv ing a l l as God ’s fa i t h fu l f ami l y .
Worship during COVID-19 As we keep saying, we will have our activities unless COVID numbers in our area spike up. As we all know, the numbers are creeping up and we must continue to be smart and safe. By July 5 all of our SLM churches will be having in-person worship at their regular times. We are following safety procedures and ask you to do the same. *If you are in the ‘vulnerable’ category, we encourage you to worship at home. We continue to broadcast on Facebook (Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County) and YouTube (SLM Worship) and on our website (sharedlutheranministry.org). We also broadcast the audio through KTIM 89.1 at noon on Sundays. If coming in person, please: *Wear your mask as you enter and leave worship. We prefer that you wear it throughout the service if possible. *Sanitize your hands as you enter the sanctuary (sanitizer provided) *Pick up your bulletin and communion kit as you enter. Leave your offering on your way in or out. *Share the Peace with a wave. No touching. *You may sit with family or others that you are seeing regularly. Otherwise, space yourselves from others. Pews are marked so you will be 6-10 feet apart. *We are speaking the liturgy and singing just a couple of verses of hymns *Volunteers are cleaning the pews and commonly touched areas of the churches, including doorknobs and bathrooms. If you would like to volunteer, contact your church council *We are not using greeters or ushers (to minimize touching); however, there are folks by the doors to help you navigate the new rules. Questions about procedures? Just call the church office, Pastor or Vicar or a council member.
August 9 – Farewell to Vicar Jonathan and Anitta Aug. 9 will be Vicar Jonathan’s last Sunday with SLM. We will have a joint worship service at Rutersville at 10:00 am followed by a meal (depending on how/if we can gather) – or at least donuts on the lawn. We have appreciated his ministry with us and he has blessed us in many ways. When we say good-bye, we bless him on his way and promise that we will release him from involvement with us so he can focus on ministry in his new setting.
August 23-We welcome Vicar Cole and Amanda August 23 – our new intern begins his year with us. Cole McGlynn and his wife Amanda will move in to the Rutersville parsonage on or around Aug. 19. We will plan for him to shadow me Aug 23 and 30, then I will shadow him Sept. 6 and 13. We will meet Vicar Cole more fully in the September Invitation.
James Averyt Memorial Service
A memorial service for James Averyt will be held in the Rutersville sanctuary on July 2 at 11:00 am. Rules for physical distancing and safety will apply.
Sunday, July 5 Worship on July 5 will have the theme “One Nation Under God”.
The Pastor’s Page
“…for just such a time as this.” Esther 4:14
There is nothing in the book of Esther that makes us think it records an historical event. But it is ripe with wisdom, especially wisdom for those who find themselves in difficult positions. As the time comes for Queen Esther to either turn her back on her people or risk her life to challenge a huge injustice, her uncle challenges her. “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”
We are living in a time when huge injustices are being revealed. There are those who will just bury their heads in the sand and wait for it to be over. There are also those who will try to deny the reality and underplay the significance of events or divert attention away from the injustice. And there are those who will meet it head-on and try to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
In my sermon on Trinity Sunday, I talked about the Way of Three. The Way of Three causes us to stand outside the forces that try to draw us into an either-or argument or stance. We live in a world that sees only two sides to every issue – and ‘mine’ is always the right side. Your side is either just wrong or actually demonic. In trying to make you look like an idiot, I push your beliefs beyond logic and soon I have put interpretations into your mouth that you would never say.
Pastor Scott Elliott (United Church of Christ in La Grange) posted genius on Facebook this week. It’s called “An Exercise in How to Think” if you want to read the whole thing. I want to summarize. Just because someone says “I care about X” doesn’t mean they don’t care about Y and Z.
For instance, if I say “I care about the way black people are treated by the police.” It doesn’t mean that I don’t care about how police are treated when they have a hostile encounter. It doesn’t mean that I don’t care that they put their lives on the line every day and some of them are killed in the line of duty. Of course I care about the safety of the police. I can care about injustice to black people by the police and care about police lives at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive.
One of the tricks of manipulators is to make us think there are only two options. And then one is right and one is wrong. But we do not live in a black and white world like that. It is a gray world and getting more muddled all the time. We HAVE to learn to live in this gray world. We HAVE to be the ones to bring sense to the table. I am convinced this is what Jesus calls us to do. Not part of the problem, part of the solution. Perhaps Jesus has called us “for just such a time as this”.
If someone tells you “I care about X” and it isn’t your viewpoint, you can learn something from this person. Let their statement start a conversation. Ask questions. “Why do you care about X?” “What more can you tell me about that?” They will be much more open to listening to you express your viewpoint if you have been listening to them.
The Way of Three calls us to look for the third solution to a problem. It’s not either-or. It’s creative. It thinks outside the box. It’s inclusive. It’s peaceful.
This is the way Jesus always responded to his accusers and those who were trying to trap him. Read the Bible. Study his ways. See how he creates a third possibility to the problems posed to him. Then work on doing this yourself. A Christian is not called to cause division. We are called to find creative ways to bring reconciliation, justice and peace. These are the matters with which Jesus was concerned. This is the way Jesus calls us to respond. If we do not stand up and speak up and act, then why were we born “for just such a time as this”?
For further conversation, feel free to contact me. And sign up for the book study, Just Mercy, in July to explore some of the background of race relations.
Peace be with you all! Pastor Marcia
The Vicar’s Voice
As a disclaimer, this “article” is longer than normal because it is a modified sermon from June 14. It is
a message about hope. As is often the case, I am preaching to myself as well. Believe it or not during these trying times, but hope is for real. We have hope because of what God has
done and continues to do for us. Hope is not artificial but based on the reality of God’s saving work in Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ saves us and shares many gifts with us. Faith, peace, grace, hope, and the Holy Spirit are some of those gifts. Then, we have this profound teaching in Romans that suffering leads to hope.
A couple of months ago I had an interview with seminary professors as part of the process to be approved for ordination. They asked me what verses I go to as a starting point for my theology. I roughly quoted the verse we read in Romans 5: “while we were sinners Christ died for us.” Why this verse is a starting point for me is that it reminds us that God does not wait until we get our act together to love us. Rather, God reaches out to us in the middle of our brokenness and rebellion. In Christ, the Lord of all keeps offering us love and forgiveness.
We have hope because God showed his love through the cross. This is why we can have hope in the midst of all of life’s circumstances. The cross reveals the extent to which God will go to love us. Sickness, pain, money problems, relationship problems, societal problems, etc. are all real. But our most real problem is our alienation from God. Jesus reconciles us to God. The cross proves that. Since Jesus addresses our biggest problem, that gives us hope that he will help us in all our other problems. Have hope in Jesus. He is always there for you. He has proven his love.
His love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Isn’t that a beautiful image? Imagine someone pouring you a cold drink on one of these hot, summer days. A cold drink is so refreshing! The Holy Spirit provides that cold drink that quenches our deepest thirst. Through faith the Spirit gives us access to God’s treasure chest. Faith itself is a treasure.
Peace is a real treasure. I recall Dr. Bob Neely in Bellville saying why he was a happy person. One of the main reasons was because he had peace with God. It just amazed me how that peace with God clearly led to the smile on his face and his engaging demeanor. Sometimes we use a blessing taken from later in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Have faith that we can abound in hope through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Never doubt that you are saved by believing in Jesus. That’s why we have “hope of sharing the glory of God.” We have hope that God will be with us in this lifetime, and we have hope for a better life to come. Have hope that we will share in God’s glory forever.
But we are not there yet. This life is full of trouble. Romans describes it as suffering. Can suffering really lead to endurance, and then to character, and then to hope? The answer is, “it depends.” I’ve heard people say that you can either become bitter or better. We have all known people who are very bitter about the
problems in their life. Our daughter Sara calls it “camping out on bitter beach.” So, we have a choice. We can rely on God to help us through suffering, or we can wallow in self-pity. To be honest, I’ve done both at different times.
Continued on page 11
The Vicar’s Voice
Hope is For Real
C H R I S T I A N C A R I N G
Please remember in your thoughts and prayers our homebound and
nursing home residents.
At Home:
Ellinger: Leda Mae Muske
Fayetteville: Raymond Domel Rutersville: Bea Brugger Marilyn Koehl Lillian Rotter Willie Rotter Ivy Vasut Warrenton: Katherine Pereiro Iris Jaster
Out of Town: Rutersville: Dea Simons—Sugar Land Ellinger:
Nicky Guzman—Bryan Care Inn: Alice Stepanek—Warrenton Lollie Dittmar—Warrenton Jane Keilers—Warrenton Colonial Nursing Home: Marvin Unger—Rutersville Monument Hill: Mae Dell Harms—Rutersville Cornerstone Specialty Hospital: Martha Staley
Please continue to hold in prayer: … Debbie Bisbano, Ed Chovanec, Don Codenys, Gary Dorset,
Gerald Gest, Nicky Guzman, Sheila Hanke, Dewey Hinton, Brent Holub, J.R. Koehl, Vernie Lewis, Ruth Martinek, Lauren Norsworthy, Willie & Lillian Rotter, Linda Smidovec, Genelda Stahmer, Martha Staley, Ivy Vasut, Tom Welch, El Gene Weyand and the family and friends of Ray Ann Michalsky and Irene Hartman.
We pray for the safety of all our troops and military personnel around the world.
We pray for firefighters and police officers, doctors and nurses, and all who work for
❖ Volunteering at a local mobile food truck is one way that you can help those in your area who are in need of the most basic item in life: nourishment. On Friday, June 19 Sheron Citzler, Margie Stardig, & Alice Schmitt geared up with gloves, face masks, and safety vests for 2 hours. We served 130 families, distributing 10,275 pounds of food. We directed traffic in drive-thru fashion and loaded the pre-packaged food into the car trunks and truck beds. All clients show their appreciation with big smiles, a wave and "thank yous"! ~ Mary Lou Fritsch
❖ A huge thank you to Cheri Herbrich, our office manager, for keeping us all organized during our quarantine. She has continued to come to the office every day to take care of business. On top of the regular work, she also scrambled to get our application in for the CARES Act Loan and now manages all the paperwork associated with that. Cheri, you are a GEM!
❖ A huge thank you to KTIM radio 89.1 FM for broadcasting SLM worship as a service to the community. Going forward, we will still get to broadcast, thanks to the generous gift from John & Betty Burkland, who are sponsoring our broadcast. What a gift to share the gospel in this way. From Pastor Marcia – As I have visited with our older members, almost every one of them says they have been listening to us on KTIM. It means so much to hear their own pastors and their own musicians and liturgy. This is truly priceless!!
❖ We could not do worship the way we do without Phil Oestreich. It’s
that simple. He has used his love of technology to get our services on to FB, YouTube, the radio and live streaming. Everything time we ask “Can we do…?” he always says, “I think I can figure that out.” Can you imagine how barren our worship would be without his expertise? I can, and it’s not pretty! He spends countless hours recording and editing our worship. Send him a card, give him a call, stop by – tell Phil THANKS!!
Parkinson’s Support Group
3rd Thursday of Month (beginning in July)
10:00 AM
First Baptist Church Parlor 121 S. College St Near Tejas Clinic
832-561-1447
W E L C A R e p o r t s & N e w s
The WELCA Bible study meets on Tuesday July 21 at 10:30 am using Gather magazine. The Zoom link information is sent out via email. To receive the email, contact Cheri in the office. To learn how to use Zoom, contact Annette Richards or the office.
FAYETTEVILLE and RUTERSVILLE: The WELCA ladies met via Zoom on May 12. No report was available at the time of printing.
WARRENTON: Warrenton WELCA is selling cookbooks. "A Collection of Recipes by Members of St. John's Warrenton" includes recipes from current members as well as the recipes from the 1989 cookbook the WELCA organization had put together. Cost is $10.00. If interested in purchasing, please contact Megan Buro at 979-966-3405 or email [email protected] .
2020 Second Chance Schedule-
Shared Lutheran Ministry/Mt. Calvary Lutheran
JULY: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (9-3) and July 13 (9-noon) AUGUST: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (9-3) and Aug. 24 (9-noon) SEPTEMBER: 29, 30 (9-3) and Oct. dates OCTOBER: 1, 2, 3 (9-3) and Oct. 5 (9-noon) NOVEMBER: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 (9-3) and Nov. 16 (9-noon) For Information, contact your SLM Coordinators: Donations Received: Helen Oestreich: (979-966-9458) Mon.-Fri. 8:00AM - 4:30PM Darlene Strahan: (979-249-4117) Sat. 9:00AM - 2:30 PM Terry Ross: (979) 966-7133
2020 AMEN Food Pantry Schedule AMEN Food Pantry - La Grange officially moves to the new location on South Reynolds on June 23, 2020.
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, they are open only on Mondays, 9 am til 11 am.
SLM volunteers are scheduled to work at the new building on Monday, July 27, 2020 from 9 am til 11 am.
AMEN/Central Texas Food Truck The Food Truck will be @ Waldeck Church on Friday, July 17 and August 21 from 10:00-11:00.
*Please remember that all activities are subject to the guidelines at that time
Second Chance Donations Drop-Off Area Closed from June 17th – July 5th
The staff at Second Chance Emporium would like to thank the public for the donations we have received over the last 2 ½ weeks since we have reopened the store. We know many of you were quarantined at home over the last few months and took that time to do some major closet cleaning. That being said, Second Chance is now buried with donations that must be sanitized and stored before processing....following CDC guidelines. In order to make room to accept additional donations, we must ask that you please hold your donations until Monday, July 6th. As a reminder, we request that donations dropped off be in a condition that they can be resold....clean, good working order, not damaged or broken and contain all their related parts. Once again, we appreciate the outpouring of support for the Second Chance ministry and look forward to many years ahead operating in our new location for the benefit of Fayette County charities.
45th Anniversary of Organ Celebration Concert
August 2, 2020 @ 2:00 PM St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fayetteville
Limited Seating-Reservations and Masks Required Call Annette @ 832-215-6724
August 20th is the deadline for all articles and information to be submitted. Any information received after this date is not guaranteed to be printed in the newsletter. You may email newsletter items to [email protected] or drop them off at the SLM office.
Virtual Day Camp from Lutherhill While we are very sad that we can’t have Day Camp this summer, we are very happy that Lutherhill is providing a virtual day camp that you can do at home – Complete with Bible stories by Pastor Jen, arts and crafts, sing-alongs, worship and other features. There are 5 Daily Videos Printable handouts This is geared for children who have finished kindergarten through finished 5th grade Lessons are for families How do you access the lessons? Through Lutherhill’s website: www.lutherhill.org – click on Virtual Day Camp
Schlitterbahn Bound! Kids! Going into 7th grade through high school seniors! We're going to SCHLITTERBAHN!! Tuesday July 14! Meet at the Rutersville church at 8:00 am to drive there together! The park is allowing limited numbers in so we must buy tickets in advance; reserve your spot by paying $40 to Pastor Marcia, Vicar Jonathan or the church office by July 3. Families with younger kids are welcome to join us as long as parent(s) come, too - just reserve your spot by July 3.
Meals on Wheels comes to St. Paul in Fayetteville The paperwork is complete and the Meals on Wheels team is distributing meals from St. Paul in Fayetteville. If you are in need of a meal or you want to volunteer to help, please contact Nora Chunn at 281-413-0456 or [email protected].
Getting St. Paul Ready for services from cleaning to new wiring for the organ
AMEN & Central Texas Food Truck Food banks are essential to many families who can't make ends meet on their own. Did you know that one of six Americans don't get enough food to eat? Serving as a volunteer at a local Food Pantry or Food Truck can allow you to drastically change the life of an individual by helping provide access to healthy and nutritional food. Whether you're packing food boxes for distribution, handing out food in a food pantry, or working in a disaster relief area, these common jobs add up to a large impact for those who need help in our community. SLM always welcomes volunteers. If this is your mission, please contact Mary Lou Fritsch at (979) 249-6947 to volunteer at La Grange or Waldeck.
Second Chance and SLM/Mt. Calvary need Y-O-U!!! As you may know, Second Chance has been open since June 5, and doing very well. We will be needing your help, the week of July 7-11. Hope to see our previous volunteers, and some brave new ones. You are NOT expected to work all day! Any amount of time you can spare will be helpful. Lots and lots of nice merchandise is available, as usual. Most of the churches have been helping each other, during the weekdays, and on Saturdays – we are hoping that YOU are considering returning to help us!
Looking Ahead … Listening to God’s Word July 5 ~ The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls. Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 145:8-14; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
July 12 ~ God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises a harvest. At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world. Isaiah 55:10-13; Psalm 65:[1-8] 9-13; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 July 19 ~ It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy. Isaiah 44:6-8; Psalm 86:11-17; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 June 28 ~ As Solomon prays for wisdom, we seek to more deeply know the treasures of faith. In today’s gospel Jesus offers everyday images that reveal to us the reign of God: a tree that becomes a sheltering home, yeast that penetrates and expands, a treasured pearl, a net that gains a great catch. Even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first! 1 Kings 3:5-12; Psalm 119:129-136; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
August 2 ~ In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry. Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21 August 9 ~ Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others. 1 Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 85:8-13; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 August 16 ~ In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need. Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28 August 23 ~ In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and God’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, using our individual gifts to build up the body of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed. Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 August 30 ~ The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world. Jeremiah 15:15-21; Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28
Spaghetti Pie Casserole ~ A recipe from Cheri Herbrich Ingredients 1 package (8 ounces) spaghetti 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese 1 pound ground beef 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream 1 small onion, chopped 3 green onions, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese 1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and
garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and sour cream until blended; stir in green onions. In a greased 11x7-in. baking dish, layer the spaghetti, cream cheese mixture and meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese.
3. Bake, covered, at 350° for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake until cheese is bubbly, 5-10 minutes longer.
2020 budget expenditures are at 34% as of the end of May. Due to the recently announced changes to the program, SLM will likely be able to utilize the entire $32,275
received from the Cares Act – Payroll Protection Program. $13,152.45 was applied to May SLM salaries and utilities.
Pastor Marcia shared positive feedback from the parking lot worship services as well as for the recent Fayetteville and Rutersville in-person worship. She continues to visit members by telephone and some in-person visits.
Contributions received by SLM for the “Give Vicar Jonathan A Leg Up” campaign totaled $8530. $6485 covered the clinical costs and the remaining amount was given to Vicar Jonathan.
Warrenton is planning to resume in-person worship on June 28 and Ellinger on July 5. Worship services will continue to be recorded and broadcast online and on the radio.
Each church reported to be doing well. Rutersville recognized 2 graduates. Fayetteville celebrates 3 graduates and will soon be welcoming 5 new members. Warrenton will recognize 2 graduates. Some councils have met in-person and some are planning to meet soon.
SLM Council will meet via Zoom in July. Vicar Jonathan is working through the final steps of the internship process. A Joint Worship is planned for Vicar
Jonathan’s last Sunday with SLM on August 9. It was suggested the service be at Rutersville to allow for more space.
St. John, Ellinger
St. John, Rutersville
No Council highlights available at the time of printing.
St. Paul, Fayetteville
No Council highlights available at the time of printing.
Council approved the financial reports as presented. Finances remain stable although Warrenton has not been worshipping in person.
There was all positive feedback regarding parking lot worship which was hosted at Warrenton on May 23 & May 30. Recording and broadcasting worship has also been positive. Phil Oestrich is credited with the many ways he has contributed his time and talent to figuring out the process to broadcast the worship as well as figuring out the technology used for parking lot worship.
Warrenton is scheduled for in-person worship in the sanctuary on June 28. This will also be graduation recognition Sunday. Gifts will be presented to the graduates from the council. Warrenton will follow the guidelines for worshipping in-person as presented in the SLM newsletter. A letter and email will be sent to all Warrenton members announcing the opportunity to worship in-person and detailing the guidelines that should be followed if attending worship.
Council approved hiring a licensed plumber to install a water cutoff valve at the water meter as required by Fayette Water Supply.
The frozen, pre-packaged brisket which was to be served at the Spring Antique Show will be offered for $40 per pan. An announcement will be in the SLM newsletter.
St. John’s, Warrenton
SLM Council
Approved Transfer of Carolyn & Larry Bartosh to Rutersville Accepted bid for painting church and educational building Looking for Temporary fill-in for council position. Set re-opening date for church - July 5th.
News and Events
Welcome, new members!
Five new members have joined the SLM family at the Fayetteville church: Joanne Gillette and Miles Gillette-Bockhorn Terry Ross Don and Kathy Sauer
Sunday Evening Book Study Beginning July 12 (Sundays at 6:00 pm on Zoom), Pastor Marcia will begin a book study to help us think and converse more deeply about imbedded racism in our legal system and country. Just Mercy is Bryan Stevenson’s account of his decades-long career as a legal advocate for marginalized people who have been either falsely convicted or harshly sentenced. Though the book contains profiles of many different people, the central storyline is that of the relationship between Stevenson, the organization he founded (the Equal Justice Initiative, or EJI), and Walter McMillian, a black man wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama in the late 1980’s. Throughout the book, Stevenson provides historical context, as well as his own moral and philosophical reflections on the American criminal justice and prison systems. He ultimately argues that society should choose empathy and mercy over condemnation and punishment.” (from litcharts.com) The book is very readable but also opens our eyes to injustice within our system. Please buy the book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption for this study.
Warrenton Brisket Available
St John’s Warrenton has brisket for purchase. This is brisket which was prepared at the Warrenton food booth and was to be served at the Spring Antique Show which was cancelled. The brisket is BBQ’d, sliced, and frozen, and the pre-packaged pan size is 12x10x3 inches. Each pan is filled with 1 sliced BBQ brisket (or a little more), and the cost is $40 per pan. Perfect for your 4th of July BBQ! If you would like to purchase a pan, please contact the Shared Ministry Office and a time will be coordinated for you to pick up your order from Warrenton.
Rutersville gets new Paraments and Stole
Given in memory of Corrine Lehmann by Arno & Lois Ruether and Linda Newnom
Rutersville holds services and recognizes graduate Garrett Noak
Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study meeting again
News and Events
Zoom Study Opportunities! Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm – Beginning July 1, Vicar Jonathan is leading a study on the Parables of Jesus.
Saturday mornings at 7:30 am – Phil Oestreich leads a Men’s Bible study on Matthew.
The WELCA Bible study meets on Tuesday July 21 at 10:30 am using Gather magazine.
Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm - Beginning July 12 Pastor Marcia is leading a book study on Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption Full information on Page 10.
The Zoom link information is sent out via email. To receive the email, contact Cheri in the office. To learn how to use Zoom, contact Annette Richards or the office.
Hope is For Real continued
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known suffering, known defeat, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. That leads me to the second verse I shared with my professors about the center of my theology. Jeremiah 29:11 became my favorite verse when I was fighting cancer. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord; ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future with hope.’” There’s our word again – hope. I believe that it is our hope in God that sustains us and helps us to become better people through suffering.
Once God has helped you through one trial, you have endurance. You start to believe you can make it through another difficulty. And you can, with God’s help. Endurance means you have some grit, and that defines character. And having character gives you hope. Oh, yeah, I can handle this….it may not be easy, it may not be fun, but I can do it. Like the little engine that could, “I think I can, I think I can.” That’s hope born of endurance.
Even better than the little engine, we don’t just have to think we can, we have the Holy Spirit poured into our hearts, that cold Gatorade that helps you keep sweating and keep moving.
There are many things we might hope for. The hope of glory is so great that we can trust the Lord will help us with other hopes too. For one, we hope for a society that truly has “liberty and justice for all.” Martin Luther King, Jr. had tons of hope, but he also admitted that we have to wait for positive change in society. I believe his words still resonate today.
He said, “How long will it take? Not long, because no lie can live forever. Not long, because you still reap what you sow.
Not long. Because the arm of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. How long? Not long, ‘cause mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, trampling out
the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword. His truth is marching on.”
Hope is real, my friends. Have hope that Jesus is always with you. Hope and believe that the cross
proves the depths of God’s love for you. Hope that suffering can make you a better person. Hope in the Holy Spirit to move in your heart and in your life. Amen.
Peace in Christ, Vicar Jonathan
Shared Lutheran Ministry Calendar of Events
Disclaimer: We are living in a fluid situation and are not listing all activities. You can always call the church office and check Face Book and bulletin announcements for updates.
8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton with Graduate Recognition 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville with Graduate Recognition 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1
29 30
Becky Helmreich Birthday Harry Schellberg Birthday Wayne Fruge Birthday
8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1
6
Koltin Kocian Birthday SLM Office Closed
7
Mark Wobus Birthday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week
8
Robert Frerichs Birthday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week 6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
9
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week
10
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week
11
7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week
12
Charles Buro Birthday 8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1 6:00 PM Zoom Book Study
13
William Kramer Birthday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Second Chance Week
14
Richard Pereiro Birthday 8:00 AM Youth Outing @ Schlitterbahn-Incoming 7th graders-12th grade
15
Nicky Guzman Birthday 6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
16
Rilan Karisch Birthday 10:00 AM Quilting @ Fayetteville
17
Coral Ann Hrbacek Birthday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM AMEN/Central Texas Food Truck @ Waldeck Church
18
Kyle Cordes Birthday 7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting
19
Jannell Mohar Birthday 8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1 3:00 PM WELCA @ Warrenton 6:00 PM Zoom Book Study
20
Aaron Gross Birthday Celia Kovar Birthday
21
Burdine Divin Birthday Ivan Cordes Birthday 5:30 PM Zoom SLM Council Meeting 10:30 AM WELCA Zoom Meeting
22
Waldine Garlin Birthday 9:00 AM Quilting @ Rutersville 6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
23
Raymond Domel Birthday
24 25
Drayton Divin Birthday Dustin Hoefelmeyer Birthday 7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting
26
Lucille Koehl Birthday Randy Otto Birthday 8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1 6:00 PM Zoom Book Study
27
Tierra Beard Birthday 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM AMEN Food Pantry-NEW location
28 29
6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
30 31 1
Dustin Walcik Birthday 7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting
Shared Lutheran Ministry Calendar of Events
Disclaimer: We are living in a fluid situation and are not listing all activities. You can always call the church office and check Face Book and bulletin announcements for updates.
Lucille Koehl Birthday Randy Otto Birthday 8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1 6:00 PM Zoom Book Study
27
Tierra Beard Birthday 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM AMEN Food Pantry-NEW location
28 29
6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
30 31 1
Dustin Walcik Birthday 7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting
2
Kim Smidovec Birthday Tammy Naumann Birthday 8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1 2:00 PM Pipe Organ Celebration Concert @ St. Paul 6:00 PM Zoom Book Study
3
Cassie Staggs Birthday David Pietsch Birthday Grace Fruge Birthday
4 5
Joe McCullough Birthday Michael Roecker Birthday 6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
6
Heather Muesse Birthday Kay Von Minden Birthday Sarah Weishuhn Birthday 10:00 AM Quilting @ Fayetteville
7 8
7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting
9
10:00 AM Joint Worship in Rutersville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1
10 11
Communion @Care Inn-2:30, @Jefferson Place-3:15, and @Monument Hill-4:00 10:30 AM WELCA Zoom Meeting
Shane Dominey Birthday 8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1 3:00 PM WELCA @ Warrenton
17 18
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week 5:30 PM SLM Council @ Warrenton 6:30 PM Congregation of Councils @ Warrenton
19
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week 6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
20
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week 10:00 AM Quilting @ Fayetteville
21
Vonice Frerichs Birthday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM AMEN/Central Texas Food Truck @ Waldeck Church
22
7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Second Chance Week
23
David Noak, Sr. Birthday DeVynn Moeckel Birthday Jack Kifer Birthday 8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1
24
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Second Chance Week
25
Madison Krenek Birthday
26
9:00 AM Quilting @ Rutersville 6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
27 28
Kaden Kovar Birthday Roy Pieper Birthday
29
Matt Karisch Birthday Minnie Chovanec Birthday Pastor Marcia Kifer Birthday 7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting
30
8:00 AM Worship in Ellinger 8:30 AM Worship in Warrenton 10:00 AM Worship in Rutersville 10:30 AM Worship in Fayetteville 12:00 PM Worship Services on KTIM FM 89.1
31
Brian Seymour Birthday Kacy Frerichs Birthday
1 2
6:00 PM Zoom Bible Study
3
Joyce Gest Birthday
4 5
7:00 AM Men's Breakfast @ Riverside Cafe 7:30 AM Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting
July 2020 - Worship Leaders
*Please remember that all activities are subject to the guidelines at that time
Altar Guild Color Green Green Green Green
7/5/2020 7/12/2020 7/19/2020 7/26/2020
Ellinger
Assisting Minister Annie Mueller Maxine Brugger Laura Brugger Lucille Koehl
Reader Sharon Fritsch Gladys Koehl Maxine Brugger
Head Usher Lucille Koehl Annie Mueller J. R. Koehl Chris Brugger
Cleaning Altar Guild Flowers
Barbara Hinton & Annie Mueller
Barbara Hinton & Annie Mueller
Sheila Brugger Sheila Brugger
7/5/2020 7/12/2020 7/19/2020 7/26/2020
Fayetteville
Assisting Minister Aaron Gross Maurine Schley Lisa Corn Lynn Strahan
Reader Kathy Griffith Jerry Brown Maurine Schley Kate Holloway
Acolyte Hayden Hatfield Miranda Gross Audrie Bell Abbie Bell
Reader Jerry Brown Jeanette Brown Lynn Strahan Kate Holloway
Acolyte Hayden Hatfield Abbie Bell Hayden Hatfield Miranda Gross
Greeter Billy Graeter Annette Richards Maurine Schley Maxine Dominey
Altar Guild Andria & Kate
Holloway Andria & Kate
Holloway Andria & Kate
Holloway Andria & Kate
Holloway
Flowers Annette Richards Carolyn Dolbey Martha Dennis Jerry & Jeanette
Brown
8/2/2020 8/9/2020 8/16/2020 8/23/2020 8/30/2020
Rutersville
Assisting Minister
Laurie Karisch Weldon Hartmann Phyllis Fritsch MiLisa Gaertner Lee Fritsch
Reader Heather Muesse Erin Opperman Justin Gaertner Joyce Wied Lee Ann Hartmann
Usher
Chip & Sheron Citzler,
Stetson Hrbacek, Muesse Family
Chip & Sheron Citzler,
Stetson Hrbacek, Oppermann Family
Chip & Sheron Citzler,
Stetson Hrbacek, Hrbacek Family
Chip & Sheron Citzler,
Stetson Hrbacek, Karisch Family
Chip & Sheron Citzler,
Stetson Hrbacek, Weishuhn Family
Altar Guild Lee Ann Hartmann & Laurie Karisch
Lee Ann Hartmann & Laurie Karisch
Lee Ann Hartmann & Laurie Karisch
Lee Ann Hartmann & Laurie Karisch
Lee Ann Hartmann & Laurie Karisch
Greeter John Burkland John Burkland John Burkland John Burkland John Burkland
Flowers
Lillian Rotter in Honor of
Matthew's Birthday
Erin Oppermann Roberts
Dena Wren Melissa
McCullough Cheryl Kuhn
8/2/2020 8/9/2020 8/16/2020 8/23/2020 8/30/2020
Warrenton
Assisting Minister
Dawn Moore
Joint Worship in Rutersville
Harry Schellberg Patsy Buro Megan Buro
Reader Patsy Buro Patsy Buro Dawn Moore Kristina Buro
Usher Alice Schmitt,
Kay Von Minden Shannon Barnett &
Felipe Villegas Donnie Wunderlich
& Will Moore Frank & LouAnn
Williams
Greeter Jeanette
Boultinghouse Scott & Dawn
Moore Joyce Gest Roy & Judy Pieper
Flowers Shannon Barnett &
Felipe Villegas Marvin & Donna
Wessels Roy & Judy Pieper Will Moore
Shared Lutheran Ministry
of Fayette County
4446 South State Hwy. 237
Round Top, Texas 78954
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Dated Material: Please do not delay.
July/August 2020
The Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County is a cooperative rural ministry of four congregations: St. John Lutheran in Ellinger, St. Paul Lutheran in Fayetteville, St. John Lutheran in Rutersville, and St. John’s Lutheran in Warrenton. All are member congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. We share pastors and an office/business manager. We share whatever ministry benefits the mission of Jesus Christ.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
PERMIT No. 19
Round Top, TX 78954
T h e I n v i t a t i o n from the Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County
July/August 2020 Parish Leadership
Reverend Marcia Kifer, Lead Pastor
Jonathan Mollenkopf, Vicar
Cheri Herbrich, Office/Business Manager
Phyllis Fritsch, Shared Ministry Council President
