G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H & S C H O O L

A P R I L 2 0 1 2

A M E S S A G E F R O M

O U R P A S T O R

“Green winters fill cemeteries” was the adage relayed to me after I mentioned that “I have had enough of death.” Like many of you, I have attended more funerals and memorial services than I care to count between January and March. I have been struggling and jour-neying with many through the dark valley of the shadow of death. Listening carefully to eulogy after eulogy I have discovered what I believe to be a widely held belief- even among people of faith that compels me to prayerfully comment. The belief is that we live in an in-between time, the time of “the dash” on our tombstone, a time between life and death. Try as we might to avoid the reality of death it will not remain hidden, and we can not insulate ourselves or our loved ones from its calling. Denying death is as dangerous and foolish as denying life. Awareness of “in-between time” living compels us to struggle and search for mean-ing in the here and now. We strive to make an indelible mark, one that will stand the test of time and perhaps live on and even defy death itself. The reality of death drives us to live life with a sense of purpose. . . And so off we go in search of purpose and the rock to engrave our mark on. In this construct Death is the all powerful determinant and grand motivator. What a place of darkness! Our Christian Faith confronts such beliefs with the questions - What if death held no power over us, how then would our days be ordered? What would we live for? How would that living be different from how we are living now? Our Lenten journey together can in many ways feel and sound like a death march—and indeed it is—up until the Friday that we call Good. But none of that death march, none of our faith, none of our living makes any sense without Easter. In fact, Saint Paul rightly asserts that without the Easter Reality, we Christians are the greatest of fools and ought to be pitied most. But, Easter Is Reality, and We Are Easter People. This is why we can journey to Jeru-salem and look up at our Lord on the cross without being scared to death. This is how we can journey with friends as they grieve and mourn and lament the untimely or timely death of loved ones—and yes this is how we

can even take our own mortality seriously. For us who believe, there is nothing more serious or powerful than the Resurrection of our Lord. It is not death that drives us to seek meaningful exis-tence during the in-between time, but it is the promise of eternal life that relieves us to live in thanksgiving to God and with love toward one another today and forever. We are not in denial of death, but we know that death has lost its power. This is what the early Christians came to cele-brate and to give thanks to God for week after week. This is what the faithful people of The Church of The Good Shepherd have been gather-ing to give thanks for and to celebrate for over 60 years. This is what we celebrate each Sunday, even as we walk though the dark valleys of Lent. This is what will cause us to burst forth with the Alleluia Chorus on Easter morn. What a place of light! In His Death-Defeating Love, Reverend Eric Olaf Olsen Pastor

Dear Easter People of the Church of the Good Shepherd:

Now the green Now the green Now the green Now the green blade risblade risblade risblade ris----es es es es from the from the from the from the

burburburbur----ied grain,ied grain,ied grain,ied grain,

Wheat that in Wheat that in Wheat that in Wheat that in dark earth dark earth dark earth dark earth manmanmanman---- y days y days y days y days has lain;has lain;has lain;has lain;

Love lives aLove lives aLove lives aLove lives a----gain, that with gain, that with gain, that with gain, that with the dead has the dead has the dead has the dead has

been;been;been;been;

Love is come aLove is come aLove is come aLove is come a----

gain like gain like gain like gain like

wheat awheat awheat awheat a----rising rising rising rising

green. green. green. green.

When our hearts are When our hearts are When our hearts are When our hearts are winwinwinwin----try, grieving, try, grieving, try, grieving, try, grieving,

or in pain,or in pain,or in pain,or in pain,

Your touch can call us Your touch can call us Your touch can call us Your touch can call us back to life aback to life aback to life aback to life a----gain,gain,gain,gain,

Fields of our hearts that Fields of our hearts that Fields of our hearts that Fields of our hearts that dead and bare dead and bare dead and bare dead and bare

have been;have been;have been;have been;

Love is come aLove is come aLove is come aLove is come a----gain like gain like gain like gain like wheat awheat awheat awheat a----rising green.rising green.rising green.rising green.

(*Now the Green Blade Rises,

John M. C. Crum 1872-1958- ELW379 v 1&4)

DATEDATEDATEDATE SERVICESERVICESERVICESERVICE ASSISTING MINISTERASSISTING MINISTERASSISTING MINISTERASSISTING MINISTER LECTORLECTORLECTORLECTOR ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S) FLOWERSFLOWERSFLOWERSFLOWERS

March 31 & April 1 Palm Sunday

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer John Schwaninger

Ellen Sangesland Please Volunteer Paul Hinsch

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Michaela Pietrofere, Adriana & Danielle Vollono

Palms— Anne Rickmeyer

April 4 Wednesday Prayer Service for Healing & Anointing with Oil

7:30 p.m. Rev. Jennifer Andrews Danielle Vollono Adriana Vollono Lent—no flowers

April 5— Maundy Thursday

7:30 p.m. Ellen Sangesland Gretel Saul Robby Pietrofere Lent—no flowers

April 6—Good Friday Stations of the Cross

Tenebrae

2:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Tom Benson

Individual Reflections Cathy Vollono

Danielle Vollono

Lent—no flowers

April 7— Easter Vigil Part 1

7:30 p.m. John Schwaninger

Dell-Ann Benson Miranda Benson Tom Benson Ellen Sangesland Cathy Vollono Danielle Vollono

Michaela Pietrofere

April 8— Easter Sunday

6:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Anne Rickmeyer

Please Volunteer Lori Mason

Please Volunteer Adriana, Danielle & Zachary Vollono

April 14 & 15 Second Sunday

of Easter

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer John Hinsch

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Judy Hinsch

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Robby Pietrofere

April 21 & 22 Third Sunday of Easter

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Dell-Ann Benson

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Miranda Benson

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Miranda Benson

Special Order Easter Flowers

Special Order Easter Flowers

Anne Rickmeyer

Nancy Stingelin

April 28 & 29 Fourth Sunday of Easter

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Lori Mason

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Richard Benson

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Zachary Vollono

Anne Rickmeyer

Altar Care during the month of April: Diane MaischAltar Care during the month of April: Diane MaischAltar Care during the month of April: Diane MaischAltar Care during the month of April: Diane Maisch

Now that we are in the midst of the Lenten season, it may the time for you to commit to further enhancing your Chris-tian life by taking advantage of the many opportunities at Good Shepherd. The start can be to be regular with your attendance at one the three weekly services, Saturday eve-ning at 5:30 p.m. or Sunday morning at either 8:00 or 10:00 a.m. Next could be to commit to adult education at 8:50 a.m. Sunday mornings or join one of the Bible studies on Thurs-days 10:30 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. At present we are going through the Gospel of Mark. Your thoughts and question are most welcome at these seasons.

Time is running out but if you have any input for the new landscaping in front, we need it now. The window is small before we will start work. Fill out a card or sheet and put

into the box by the plan..

All committee, boards, and teams need their new Vision for Mission for 2012-2013 to the office for the April council meeting on April 17. If you have any ideas on what projects they should undertake to enhance the programs at Good Shepherd, share it with a member of one of the groups. A list of all the groups and their members is up in the Narthex. If a group has a project in mind that could be better executed working with another group, talk with them and make it a joint Vi-sion.

Love, Peace and Joy.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENTA MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENTA MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENTA MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

MR JOHN SCHWANINGERMR JOHN SCHWANINGERMR JOHN SCHWANINGERMR JOHN SCHWANINGER

Joe & Carol Berardino &

Helen & Carl Gscheidle married on the same day

58 years ago, April 25, 1954

Barbara & Dominick Valenza Celebrated 20 years on 3/22/12

APRILAPRILAPRILAPRIL Albert AldophusAlbert AldophusAlbert AldophusAlbert Aldophus

Anna AdolphusAnna AdolphusAnna AdolphusAnna Adolphus————Sweet 16Sweet 16Sweet 16Sweet 16 Joe BerardinoJoe BerardinoJoe BerardinoJoe Berardino Irma CarlsonIrma CarlsonIrma CarlsonIrma Carlson Austen DevernaAusten DevernaAusten DevernaAusten Deverna Corinne HaneyCorinne HaneyCorinne HaneyCorinne Haney

Christopher HansenChristopher HansenChristopher HansenChristopher Hansen Andrew HauptAndrew HauptAndrew HauptAndrew Haupt Rebecca HinschRebecca HinschRebecca HinschRebecca Hinsch DJ KellingtonDJ KellingtonDJ KellingtonDJ Kellington Margara LangMargara LangMargara LangMargara Lang Helga MitzeHelga MitzeHelga MitzeHelga Mitze

Jessica OlanickJessica OlanickJessica OlanickJessica Olanick Lars OlsenLars OlsenLars OlsenLars Olsen————Belated 3/5Belated 3/5Belated 3/5Belated 3/5

Anne RickmeyerAnne RickmeyerAnne RickmeyerAnne Rickmeyer Alexandra RizzoAlexandra RizzoAlexandra RizzoAlexandra Rizzo

The Good Shepherd energy management program is poised for future progress following the 2010 Synod Convention Guidelines. Projects are being evaluated on how to follow the Synod energy resolution that our delegates voted to approve. This resolves to re-duce synod energy consumption by 25 to 40 percent by 2020 from the 2010 level. The approach is to try to save 5 percent per year. In 2011 we produced almost 2 percent savings towards the 5 percent per year goal. Large natural gas savings were produced by installing a very efficient new school gym boiler. Those savings were equal to the 2011 increase energy use due to the occupied parsonage and about a 15 percent increase in church oil and 15 percent increase in school electric. At the end of the year, gym lighting energy was about cut in half with the installation of new efficient lighting. This was the first step in planned school and church efficient lighting pro-jects. Much has been accomplished already by Good Shepherd. As of the end of 2011 we have decreased our total energy consumption by 35 percent .from our original decade old baseline. Our past progress was recognized in 2009 by the National Council of Churches with the top national award. This 35 percent accomplishment is about half of our potential savings. A further similar savings potential is planned, which will meet the Synod energy savings goal. Cumula-tive utility cost savings of $115,000 since 2004 gives us a leg up to tackle the next steps in the coming years. Among many future pro-jects being considered are the major ones of lighting and insulation. Improved efficient lighting in the church and school plus the further insulation of walls and roofs/attics. At present we have 40 percent of all our walls and roofs/attics insulated, a big improvement from our 5 percent initial starting point. Our plan is to start insulating the remaining 60 percent. Since the church presently has no insulation this could possibly be the next area to tackle.

Submitted by Odd Sangesland

The expansion team continues to explore exciting ideas for a new welcome center, a combined administrative office to unify the Church and School, expanded meeting space, up-to-date technology, and opportunities for new ministries as well as a variety of funding ideas. We met with Jeffrey Spann, a Church Building Consultant from the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA who pro-vided valuable feedback and recommendations for improve-ment and expansion. We also met with and received pro-posals from four architects; KDA, H2M, Core Group and Frank G. Relf. In an effort to share these ideas and solicit feedback from the congregation before moving forward, we will be scheduling a number of meetings after Easter. Dates will be posted in the Sunday bulletin.

Submitted by Mary Wiegert

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

99 Central Park Road, Plainview, NY 11803 Phone: 516-349-1966 Fax: 516-349-8438

E-mail: church@ourshepherdlives.org Website: www.ourshepherdlives.org

Ministers: The Members of Good Shepherd Reverend Eric O. Olsen, Pastor

Judy R. Hinsch, A.I.M., School Director Teresa Ratkowski, Director of Choir and Organist

Maureen Cooke, Church Secretary/Newsletter Editor Lindsay Kuefner, School Secretary

Ed Indellicati, Accountant/Bookkeeper John E. Menig, Jr., Sexton

Bobby Lang, Sexton

massive panic attacks for me more often than not (i.e., panic attacks during thunderstorms, rainy days, dark skies, etc. that land me in the corner of the basement shaking in the fetal position if there is nobody there with me)… That means that in the face of absolute uncertainty and nothing BUT the unknown standing before me…trading doubt, fear and hope-lessness for faith. For some, they are built to think outside of themselves in every-thing they do. Not I. That’s cer-tainly something I am not proud of but if I’m going to be authentic in writing this, then I must admit that I am not and never was built that way. Why? Well, having had 43 surgeries and battling PTSD for more years than I can count and now recently facing some major and rather seri-ous complications with the Spina Bifida, it has felt nearly impossible for me to concentrate on anyone else’s struggles but my own. De-spite these struggles and feelings of certainty that I may never know what it’s like to think beyond my own struggles, something hap-pened to me last Sunday that has changed the way I think each and every day since. As I sat there watching the sun-rise I prayed to God quietly like I do every morning. As I was pour-ing my woes and sorrows and feel-

Have you ever thought about when it’s easiest to have faith? Well, for me, having faith on the days when my Spina Bifida ISN’T acting up…that’s easy. Having faith on the days when there is NO nerve pain racing through my body throughout the entire day with only minutes of rest in between each episode…in my foot, my stomach, down my legs …that’s easy. Having faith when there’s a thun-derstorm outside and my husband is working from home and all is well….. that’s easy as well given my need for certainty at all times and the phobias of thunderstorms, dark skies and rain I battle with daily despite the daily assistance of my wonderful service dog, Pax. If you asked me what I gave up for Lent, I’d tell you it’s truthfully something I have no clue how to do and have never done before… Give all my burdens, worry, self-pity and need to control it all up to God….That means having faith on the days when I hold nothing but resentment and anger for having Spina Bifida. That means having faith on the days when there is nothing BUT nerve pain racing throughout my body. That means having faith in the moments when I am faced with my paralyzing sensory issues from the Spina Bifida and PTSD (Post Trau-matic Stress Disorder) that trigger

ings of defeat onto his shoulders, I suddenly thought…”What would it be like to take my power back in all this and say ‘Here God, YOU take ALL of this’? I’m letting go of ALL of it so that you may begin to teach me how to come out from within myself’?”… The ironic part about that is that later that VERY same evening Pastor Eric preached about this VERY same thing. Needless to say it caught my at-tention. So, every day since the start of Lent I have continually asked God time and time again to teach me how to do this. “God, teach me what it means and feels like to live my life as if it were not my own, lived for you, with you and guided by you because truth-fully Lord, I have NO clue what I’m doing”… As I allowed the thought to flow

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; “Because you have seen me, you have believed; “Because you have seen me, you have believed; “Because you have seen me, you have believed;

blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ” ” ”

–––– John 20:29 John 20:29 John 20:29 John 20:29

SUBMITTED BY CLAUDIA DEMAUROSUBMITTED BY CLAUDIA DEMAUROSUBMITTED BY CLAUDIA DEMAUROSUBMITTED BY CLAUDIA DEMAURO

(Continued from previous page) I heard, “What would it look like if all of a sudden my life wasn’t about ME anymore?” I began to pay close at-tention as I was experiencing some rather pro-found clarity at that moment and felt it important to listen. I went on to experience an inspired thought…What if letting go was exactly what I needed to gain con-trol of and feel in control of my life once and for all…” It was then that I came to realize that in God’s time, He will inspire me, guide me, and show me the next step, and the next step after that and the next step after that. However there’s one problem I now recognize….He can’t do that if I’m con-stantly trying to be in control ALL the time hav-ing to know exactly where the next solution is going to come from each and every moment. Is it possible that my life isn’t going in the di-rection I want it to go because it’s not possible to have two drivers in the same car at the same time? Isn’t it safe to say that someone has to sit back and be the passenger and trust that the per-son behind the wheel will get you to where you want to be? I do realize and am well aware that this is so much easier said than done on most days. However, I also realize that my way ap-pears to not be serving me all that well so why not give myself, my life, and my cross that I bear to God for the next 40 days and see if within that time I can’t find some sense of peace. So, for me, I am essentially giving up the driver’s seat and sitting in the passenger’s seat. I don’t know about you but as good as my driving skills are, I’d much rather lay back, trust that the Lord knows exactly where I need to go and rest peace-fully…in my faith.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray

about everything; tell God your needs, and

don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If

you do this, you will experience God's peace,

which is far more wonderful than the human

mind can understand. His peace will keep your

thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as

you trust in Christ.

Philippians 4:6Philippians 4:6Philippians 4:6Philippians 4:6----7777

Over the next few months, our Evangelism Team will em-bark on a project to update and produce a new pictorial phone directory of our members from information included on our database. When completed, the directory will be available in both a printed form as well as a secure online form and will even be available as an app for your I-Phone or I-Pad. How cool might that be?!! We intend to take photos of each household for inclusion in the church database as well as verify the current database information already on file. Photos will be taken by staff per-sonnel who are experienced in portrait and child photography, so we anticipate a quality product. The photos will not be for sale although if you like yours, we will probably be able to pro-vide you with a copy. There are approximately 150 active member families in our congregation, and we would hope that most would avail them-selves of the opportunity to have a picture taken or to provide one that could be scanned and included in this directory. However in order for this to happen, much needs to be done; and some help will be needed to schedule and follow-up ap-pointments. Greet families and direct them to complete census information forms We encourage everyone to participate in order to ensure the integrity of our input. Please check future bulletins and newsletters for more information as this project unfolds.

-Submitted by Bob Rickmeyer

Members of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ameri-can, The United Methodist Church, and The Episcopal Church will gather Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in St. Paul’s Chapel located at Broadway at Fulton Street in lower Manhattan’s Wall Street neighborhood. The service, entitled A Celebration of Christian Unity will be presided over by three bishops of the New York area. Denominations will include Bishop Jeremiah J. Park of the United Method-ist Church. Presently, The United Methodist Church is in full communion with The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and in an interim Eucharistic agreement with the Episcopal Church anticipating full communion in a few years. Mark your calendars now and make plans to join others from all three denominations on May 12 in this landmark church where George Washington worshipped following his inauguration as president in 1789.

- Submitted by John H. Meyer

Page 7

T H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N G

F O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T R YYYY

T H O S E I N N E E DT H O S E I N N E E DT H O S E I N N E E DT H O S E I N N E E D

O F H E A L I N GO F H E A L I N GO F H E A L I N GO F H E A L I N G

WE PRAY FOR...

Lillian & Richard Carson, Chris Banzer, Jenny Rose, Khurshid Ara Ghani & Rich-ard (Mason family friend), Lorraine & Marta (Marta Scherer’s relatives) Lori & Meghan Ortega (Lisa Olsen’s sister and niece), Minoru Tamura (GSL student’s grandfather), Clara Keeney (Beverly Strack’s mother), Ann Araco (Lori Tollef-sen’s mother), Susan Dowd (Maisch family friend), Bea McCabe, Peggy Taylor (Amy Pietrofere’s friend), Eleanor Davis, Warren Wiegert, Justin Rogers (Karin Kienle’s nephew) and Christine & Tom Green-wood, his parents, Jason Damiano (Anna’s grandson), Chris Cucci and his family, Mike Adams (Maureen Cooke’s brother-in-law), William Jakubowski, Martin Boltizar (Louise Lamont’s cousin), Gary Lang (Peggy’s relative), Ed Simmons (Pastor Eric’s friend), Ruth Odwazny, Ryan Faret & his family, Tyler LaGois, Genevieve Sounia, Dr. Stanley Bartkow, Joy Parisey (GSL teacher Cindy Cannizzaro’s sister), Susan Boettcher (John McGowan’s sister), Paul Hinsch, John Binsfeld (Benner family friend), Maureen Araujo, Henry Kir-schbaum (Lori Tollefsen’s uncle), Jay Boryea (Paul Hinsch’s friend), Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s friend), Sven Faret (Gunhild Schabel’s son), Diane Lisa (Cathy Vollono’s friend), Janice Ridings (Rickmeyer family friend), Francis Lee (Helen Kopf’s son), Lynne Carlson (Irma’s daughter-in-law), Mary Ellen Moyse (George’s wife), Don and Francine Unger (Katalina Paterakis’s grandparents), Joyce Tare, Jake (Maisch family friend) and his family, Ian Spadaro (Dottie’s grandson), James Fields (Vincent and Dorothy Cronin’s nephew), Mary Gessing (Dorothy and Vincent Cronin’s cousin), and Rita Cunningham (Cronin family friend).

T H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N G

I N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R Y

USMC Lance Corporal Nicholas Ventrelli-O’Connell (Patty Larson’s family friend), David Jacobs (Joyce Tare’s nephew, Alec & Madison’s cousin), Major Phillip Sounia, MSgt. Richard Miranda, Christopher Zito (Mary Knotek’s friend), Sgt. Vincent Mezick, Specialist Sean Hassett (Lori Mason’s cousin).

Roger Griffith

Barbara Odwazny & the family of baby Na-than Biscardi, Eleanor Pearson and the fam-ily and friends of her brother, John Peterson; the McGowan and Hickey families and the family & friends of Dennis Hickey.

T H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V IT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V IT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V IT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N GN GN GN G

T H O S E W H O A R E T H O S E W H O A R E T H O S E W H O A R E T H O S E W H O A R E

C E L E B R A T I N GC E L E B R A T I N GC E L E B R A T I N GC E L E B R A T I N G

First Holy Communion recipients Anthony Canino, Charlie Eisele, Corrine Haney, Luke Olsen & Jack Saueracker. Bride & Groom, Naomi Pfund & John Hulver who were married here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 24th. The Rickmeyer family celebrates the safe return of CPT. Paul Rickmeyer from Afghanistan.

Please e-mail all articles for inclusion in the May

newsletter no later than

Thursday, APRIL 19 APRIL 19 APRIL 19 APRIL 19THTHTHTH , , , , to

church@ourshepherdlives.orgchurch@ourshepherdlives.orgchurch@ourshepherdlives.orgchurch@ourshepherdlives.org

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

Because the response to our fund-raising requests for a new carillon has not been embraced with en-

thusiasm, we are far from our goal of $20,000. As a result, we are working with

Schulmerich to explore other options to hope-f u l l y get ours working once again. Our new fundraising goal for this project is $10,000. Please feel

inspired to make a donation. Wouldn’t you just love to hear those church bells ringing again?

PLEASE USE THEPLEASE USE THEPLEASE USE THEPLEASE USE THE

CLOTHING DROP BOXCLOTHING DROP BOXCLOTHING DROP BOXCLOTHING DROP BOX

IN OUR PARKING LOT IN OUR PARKING LOT IN OUR PARKING LOT IN OUR PARKING LOT

or call for service: 516or call for service: 516or call for service: 516or call for service: 516----547547547547----6853685368536853

DURING THE MONTH OF APRILDURING THE MONTH OF APRILDURING THE MONTH OF APRILDURING THE MONTH OF APRIL

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a church ele-mentary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. A teacher had written a note, posted on the apple tray:

“Take only ONE! God is watching.” At the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note:

“Take all you want. God is watching the apples!”

Submitted by Bart VanGiesen to JoyfulNoiseletter.com©

Reprinted with permission

WITH SO MANY VETERANS RETURNING,WITH SO MANY VETERANS RETURNING,WITH SO MANY VETERANS RETURNING,WITH SO MANY VETERANS RETURNING,

THIS NEED IS GREATER THAN EVER!THIS NEED IS GREATER THAN EVER!THIS NEED IS GREATER THAN EVER!THIS NEED IS GREATER THAN EVER!

GOOD SHEPHERD NEEDS

PARTICIPANTS & SPONSORS!

SIGN-UP WILL BEGIN AFTER EASTER

IN THE NARTHEX

PLEASE CHECK UPCOMING BULLETINS FOR UDATES!PLEASE CHECK UPCOMING BULLETINS FOR UDATES!PLEASE CHECK UPCOMING BULLETINS FOR UDATES!PLEASE CHECK UPCOMING BULLETINS FOR UDATES!

Registration will begin after Easter in the narthex. Should you have any questions, please see Martha Peterson.Registration will begin after Easter in the narthex. Should you have any questions, please see Martha Peterson.Registration will begin after Easter in the narthex. Should you have any questions, please see Martha Peterson.Registration will begin after Easter in the narthex. Should you have any questions, please see Martha Peterson.

UPDATE FOR APRIL 2012

WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN: NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

Bullying has been growing more and more, not just

because of easy access to the Internet, but also as

a result of lack of appropriate responses from par-

ents, teachers, and peers. Kids still get threat-

ened, harassed, embarrassed, or punched and hit

by their peer(s). Just like a victim of cyber bulling,

a bully reacts in response to the torture received at

the hands of peers, in and out of school. Yes,

“school yard bullying” is still around and victim re-

ports are more frequent.

As parents, we need to become aware of danger-

ous mind sets we may have when we want to help:

1.“No, not my kid”- the erroneous thinking that

your child can do no wrong; 2. “kids will be kids” -

bullying is NOT a right of passage; 3. “Its only at

school” – it’s everywhere to your kid; 4. “Who ca-

res?” - it is important to your child; and 5.

“Teachers are just there to get a paycheck”- not

always true.

Bullying is a form of abuse and it is wrong. Chil-

dren should be able to attend school without being

fearful. Understanding these warning signs of bully-

ing and knowing how to intervene may help:

What to do If you suspect

your child is being bullied

First, focus on your child. Be supportive and gather

information by asking questions.

DON’T confront the suspected bully or bullies on

your own.

Contact the child’s principal or teacher; together

you can create a plan of action (even if your

child is the bully himself).

Take quick action. There is nothing worse than do-

ing nothing.

DON’T think it’s the victim’s fault. No one ever

“asked for” or “deserved” to be bullied.

DON’T keep it to yourself and hope it will just “go

away.” Often bullying does not stop until others

get involved.

DON’T encourage your child to fight back or retali-

ate by bullying the person back. It will not make

things better and could end up getting him/her

into trouble.

Encourage your child to treat people the way he/

she wants to be treated.

DON’T skip school or activities your child enjoys for

fear of being bullied. Your child has a right to be

at school or activities, without being fearful.

DON’T think your child is a “tattle tale” if he/she

tells an adult. Telling is not “tattling”; it is the

right thing to do.

If you or someone you know is in need of counseling support for

this or any other mental health issue, please call the Lutheran

Counseling Center at 516-741-0994 or 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail

us at Center@lccny.org. LCC has seven counseling sites over the

New York metropolitan and surrounding area.

Bullying—Parental Responses

by Mr.Chris Abatelli, LMHC, LCC Staff Psychotherapist

WARNING SIGNS OF A VICTIM

✛ Personal property is torn/damaged with no rea-

sonable explanation

✛ Unexplained cuts, scratches or bruises.

✛ Fearful of going to school, walking to and from

school, riding the bus or joining in activities

with others

✛ Sad, moody, teary or depressed when return-

ing from school

✛ Displays anxiousness and/or worthlessness

WARNING SIGNS OF A BULLY

✛ Displays of aggressive behavior towards

others/animals

✛ Impulsive actions and easily frustrated

✛ Witnesses to violence

✛ Has little or no insecurities, emotion, or

anxiety

✛ Uses violence as a tool of power

✛ Likes to have control, prestige and may overly

value material goods

Chris W. Abatelli, LMHC, is a psychotherapist for Lutheran

Counseling Center’s Patchogue and Dix Hills sites. He

also works for Pederson-Krag Center and is Director of

Youth for St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Say-

ville, NY. Mr. Abatelli works with youth, couples and

adults for a wide range of issues such as substance

abuse, adoptions, cyber bullying and conflict resolution.

He facilitates LCC mental health seminars for churches

Five Finger Prayer

Submitted by Angel Lorch

✛ Your thumb is nearest you, so begin your prayer by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”

✛ The second finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This

includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

✛ The third finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president,

leaders in business and industry, and adminstrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

✛ The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest

finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.them.them.them.

✛ And, lastly comes our little finger—the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place

ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper pperspective, and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Don’t tell God how big your storm is— Tell the storm how big your God is!