February 2020

News From The Pews

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church—ELCA 143 Chota Center, Loudon, TN 37774

www.shepherdofthelaketn.org (865) 816-4756

Ingrid J. Schalk, Pastor

Sunday Worship

9:00 a.m.

On the website:

Sermons Pastor’s Blog

Announcements Newsletters Calendar

Church Council

Tom Schemberger President

Jeff Svoboda Vice President

Kandie Shubeck Secretary

Jim Newman Treasurer

Carolyn Hudspeth Bob Panozzo Ken Ballinger

Members-at-Large

Office Administrator

Sandy Hagan sheplakelutheran-sec@hotmail.com

A Christian community sharing God’s love with the world.

Ash Wednesday

Worship with Imposition of Ashes

February 26 at 5:00 p.m.

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From the Pastor’s Desk

Pastor Ingrid Schalk

Conduits of God’s grace… like garden hoses spraying life-giving water wherever we go. Water is a powerful force in and of itself. Water can also be quite destructive which was the experience of many in Loudon and Monroe counties in May 2019. Heavy rainfall in very short period of time caused flooding resulting in significant damage to a number of homes in Loudon County. Our own Southeastern Synod learned of two particular families who experienced damage and allocated available SE Synod Disaster Relief funds for their use. Being in close proximity to these homes, our congregation was asked to serve as Congregational Care Coordinator to deliver the funds and assess any other needs.

Once we received the funds, I contacted the two families. The first, Randy Vicars of Lenoir City, wasn’t expecting my call. After explaining that I had a check for $300 to help with the flood damage to their home, he graciously declined. He said if the other family we were contacting needed the funds, please give it to them. He explained that they were fortunate. He and his family had the support of their congregation, family and friends from the neighborhood. They had secured the funding they needed to reconstruct the entire interior of their home. (Water was within one foot of the ceiling - the entire interior was gutted.) Randy works in construction and was doing the work himself. His response was NOT what I was expecting - not accepting the money and directing it to someone who needed it more - the Vicars turn out to be conduits of God’s grace! I said, “Okay…. but I still want to come for a visit - now, I REALLY want to meet you and hear your story!” Tom Schemberger and I did just that on January 12 .

The second homeowner, Bobbie Fields, was not as fortunate. Bobbie’s daughters, Teresa and Lisa, managed to come up with the $16,000 “out of pocket” to get their father’s home in living condition. These two women gutted the lower half of the first floor, replaced drywall, and installed flooring. (Water rose half way up the interior walls.) Bobbie received no assistance. Gawkers stopped to see the flooding, but no one reached out to help. On Sept. 1, Bobbie had a stroke. Shortly after, he went into hospice. Strangely enough, he started walking. His daughters took him out of hospice so he could get physical therapy. They have been caring for him tag-team in his home since then. More recently, he needed a new heating and air system which they are still paying for. Mr. Fields and his daughters welcomed my call and our visit. The check in the amount of $500 was greatly appreciated. Since our visit, the SE Synod Disaster Response team has authorized the $300 (declined by the Vicars family) to be given to Bobbie Fields. Where did these funds come from in the first place? Funds for Disaster Response are gathered throughout the year by our SE Synod. Typically, we designate funds gathered during Advent or Lenten mid-week services for Disaster Response efforts in the SE Synod. When there is a particular need like the Gatlinburg fires, the SE Synod office sends out a special plea for help. We have now seen first hand how those funds are utilized right in our own back yard. Conduits of God’s grace… let’s keep God’s life-giving water flowing! Pr. Ingrid

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Making Habits, Breaking Habits

February Flower Calendar

Birthdays

2 Roger Madson 2 Ruth Mullen 3 Barb Warfel 4 Mary Brown 7 Margie Sunner 15 Tom Marshall 25 Shari Lillestolen 26 Mike Kemper

Signup for 2020

on the So+L website:

www.shepherdofthelaketn.org

- Select Worship

- Sunday Servants

- Flower Calendar 2020

Anniversaries

15 Cheryl & Dan Mandro

So, how long does it take to form a new habit? We are into the new year. How many resolutions (desires for new habits), made with the best of intentions, have already been forgotten? In his book Making Habits, Breaking Habits: Why We Do Things, Why We Don't, and How to Make Any Change Stick, clinical psychologist Jeremy Dean suggests that the typical folk-answer given to how long it takes to form a habit is 21 days. He then reports that 21 days is a fiction. "In a study carried out at the University College London...on average...it took 66 days until a habit was formed... Indeed, overall, the researchers were surprised by how slowly habits seemed to form... It turned out that some of the habits could have taken around 254 days to form--the better part of a year! What this research suggests is that 21 days to form a habit is probably right, as long as all you want to do is drink a glass of water after breakfast. Anything harder is likely to take longer to become a really strong habit, and, in case of some activities, much longer."

Is the religious life, a life disciplined by Jesus, a habit? If it is, how hard would such a habit be to develop? How long would you say it would take you to develop a religious habit of life?

Would the habit of "loving like Jesus" take one hour of church attendance on Sunday mornings for a year (52 one-hour sessions)?

Or, would you have to add a short prayer before eating supper for 100 days? Would that create the Jesus-discipline of religious life? OK, how about if you added 20 minutes of Bible reading before you started your day, or before you

went to sleep; every day for three consecutive months, would that form your habit of religious life? Perhaps, let's add some a regular activity offered at Shepherd of the Lake like Wednesday morning Bible study with Pastor Ingrid; card making; Good Shepherd Center; Friendship Kitchen; or, Quilters, etc.. You choose. Would participation in any or those activities for six months form a habit

of a religious life? Saint Paul certainly seems to think in terms of the discipline of a life habituated in Jesus: "You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself" (1 Corinthians 9:25-27, The Message Bible). Is the religious life, a life disciplined by Jesus, a habit? What training would you have to strengthen if such a life were of value to you? How long do you think it would take to develop the habit that makes the difference, for you? How would a new habit be substantially different, more rigorous, than your current religious life? It's a new year! Paul Elbert

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Card Making

Women’s Ministry

New Beginnings - your voices have been heard. We’ve gathered your feedback and have formed a new Women’s Fellowship team to plan events of interest for 2020. In addition to the following scheduled quarterly activities, watch for impromptu events as the spirit moves. If you have an idea for a spirit-moved activity, just contact one of the ministry team (Jean Clesen, Deb Hatch, Claire Moxim or Margie Sunner) and we’ll work together to make it happen.

Scheduled so far –

• Spring – Thursday, April 23 – THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY – at the Cumberland Play-house. The show starts at 2:30 (Central Time) preceded by lunch at the Cumberland State Park restaurant. Carpools will leave the church parking lot at 12:15. There is a signup sheet and a payment envelope on the board in the fellowship hall. Tickets are $25 and checks should be made payable to Jean Clesen. Seating is limited to 30 so be sure to sign up by April 5. Your check will be considered your confirmed reservation.

• Summer – Thursday, June 25 – catered or limited menu lunch at the Kahite Pub & Grill with boating, water sports, swimming and dock/porch sitting included.

• Fall – Thursday, September 17 – Afternoon Tea featuring tablescapes

Outreach Day Retreat – Thursday, November 5. More information will follow as the date approaches.

NAVIGATING LOSS – Day-Long Retreat for Grievers

As a widow and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, Donna Marie understands the life-changing impact that grief has on our bodies, minds, and souls. This day-long retreat was created for widows, widowers, those who have lost children or parents, caregivers, and those who have Received a life-changing medical diagnosis. In a fun, laugh-ter and tear-filled day, they claim their stories, learn proven techniques for releasing stress, discover new ways to care for themselves, and find authentic community created from deep sharing and loving acceptance. We’ve all lost something, so mark your calendars and save this date!

Christmas Luncheon – Wednesday, December 16 at Sue Schemberger’s home. Our charitable outreach will concentrate on “The House That Mercy Built” in Tellico Plains. Keep a watch for more information on this ministry. Claire Moxim

Come and join the fun making special greeting cards with other friends of the church. Carol Opsal leads the ladies using their talents at making a variety of cards for the military, sick, birthday, thinking of you, and sympathy cards. They make special occasion card for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christ-mas. You do not need to submit a resume as no previous experience is required. There is a job for everyone no matter their skill level. And...come and help for the time you have.....an hour or whatever time you have available that month. The fellowship of these ladies is worth the trip and time. Beginning March 13, there is a NEW TIME for Card Making. It will begin at 10:00am and conclude at 1:30pm. Anyone is welcome to come and enjoy this time of fellowship. Contact Carol Opsal for questions: 936-520-2271

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Used by permission. This article appeared in the March 2020 issue of Gathering Magazine

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We received a warm and enthusiastic

welcome at The House that Mercy Built in

Tellico Plains on January 5. Their Open

House attracted 300 visitors supporting

there expanding ministry providing a

residential program for recovery from

addition for women.

They have been serving between eight

and eleven women in a residential home

setting (designed for a maximum of eight).

They are in the process of completing a

brand new house that will accommodate

twelve residents and is designed

specifically for their needs.

"The House that Mercy Built"

Ask these ladies about their visit to The House that Mercy Built!

L-R: Deb Hatch, Phyllis Mills, Cheryl Mandro, Pr. Ingrid, Sandy Hagan,

Claire Moxim, Carol Morris

Stay tuned!

You’ll be hearing more

about

The House that

Mercy Built

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Shepherd’s Table is back in 2020!

We’re changing things up this year by having a quarterly get together. We’re going to meet at 1:30 for snacks, refreshments and BINGO!!

We have more prizes and more fun planned, so put March 17 on your calendar. Both men and women are encouraged to come!! We’ll have a sign up sheet in the fellowship hall.

6,000 chocolate chip

forgiveness cookies will be given to 300 women,

at Bledsoe Correctional Complex,

April 23-26 during a

Kairos Prison Ministry weekend.

If you’d like to bake a dozen or more,

or learn more about Kairos

Prison Ministry, see Sandy Hagan

for the information.

“God loves a cookie baker!”

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Blessing of the “Rig”

There’s a first time for everything….

We bless homes and boats and pets, why not bless a

home and office on wheels!! After an impromptu

blessing of his “rig,” Rick Kramer is off on a grand

adventure - first stop, Arizona. God bless your coming

and going and everyone you meet along the way!

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Used by permission. This article appeared in the February 2020 issue of Gathering Magazine

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February Prayer Ventures

1 Black History Month Give thanks for the gifts, accomplishments, influence and witness of our African descent neighbors and siblings in Christ — we stand together to glorify God as partners in the gospel, doing God’s work in the world together. Though we are unified as siblings in Christ, we ask God to guide and help our church as it recommits to the work of racial justice, socioeconomic equity, racial reconciliation and ending racism.

2 Pray that God will soften our hearts and focus our love on our neighbors in poverty and food insecurity, communities grieving for victims of violence, people in regions of conflict and war, refugees and immigrants, and people who are persecuted or disparaged.

3 Ask God to deepen our understanding of the peace that God desires for the world. Pray that the Spirit will inspire us to be bold peacemakers grounded in God’s vision of peace, the gospel and love for our neighbor.

4 Pray that when we are embarrassed or hesitant to speak of the crucified and risen Christ, our faith in God’s love and the gospel message will encourage and embolden us to be confident yet humble witnesses in the world.

5 We are scattered around the world as siblings in Christ, seeking and affirming our unity in the mystery of the Trinity and the good news of Jesus Christ. Explore the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, which enables us to journey in prayer throughout the world every week of the year, affirming our solidarity with Christians everywhere.

6 Pray for ELCA outdoor ministry leaders who are seeking young adults to serve in summer programs across the country. Ask that the Spirit be at work in young adults and move them to respond to God’s call to serve and share their faith, skills, gifts and enthusiasm with children, youth and adults.

7 Pray that our hearts will be open to doing what God asks of us: to hold to what is good, to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God.

8 Give thanks for pastors and seminary students who respond to God’s call to serve as federal chaplains, ministering to inmates and staff at federal prisons and to staff, patients and their family members at Veterans Affairs medical centers.

9 As children of God, we are the salt of the earth and light of the world, bearing witness to God’s love and mercy. Pray that we will understand how our good works, words and faith — even when unseen or unappreciated in our lifetime — can have profound, far-reaching impact.

10 ELCA Young Adult Ministry offers inspiration, opportunities and resources to young people aged 18 to 30. Pray for churchwide staff and leaders across the church as they work with young adults to form faith, discover identity and gifts, discern vocation and develop servant leadership.

11 Pray for church leaders as they gather for the Ignite the Church Conference in Orlando, Fla., an annual event that fosters conversation among leaders and inspires the church to live out its tradition of renewal.

12 Give praise and thanks to God for being our light and strength throughout our baptismal journey of following God’s ways; for being generous, merciful and compassionate; and for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

13 The light and warmth of God’s love is welcome nourishment for our faith and spirit. Pray that God’s love will move us to provide both spiritual and physical light, warmth and shelter for people who long for hope and relief during these dark, cold days of winter.

14 Amid our worries and turmoil, we ask for God’s help in seeking freedom for the oppressed, sharing our food resources with the hungry, sheltering the homeless and attending to the cries of people in poverty.

15 Pray that we will take to heart Jesus’ teachings that love is not weakness and that power does not equal force or superiority. Pray that we will follow Jesus’ example by being humble, loving servants in the world and will trust in the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and through us.

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16 Trusting in God’s grace and forgiveness, pray that we will be repentant and humble when we consider our daily actions, words and thoughts, as well as what we fail to do. Ask God to redirect our lives so we might follow God’s ways and commandments, resist comparing ourselves to others and avoid citing cultural norms to rationalize contrary behavior.

17 Pray for our president, legislators and other public servants, that their decisions and actions will be guided by a spirit of compassion and justice, a commitment to peacemaking and building relationships globally, and a determination to work across ideologies and political divisions for the well-being of our communities and of people in need.

18 Give thanks for ELCA Global Mission programs, relationships, opportunities and partnerships with global companions that bring us together as the body of Christ for doing God’s work in the world.

19 Give thanks for the happiness we experience when we walk in the ways and wisdom of God.

20 Stewardship is more than annual pledge cards, balanced budgets and financial responses to God’s love ― it’s a way of life. Pray that we will recognize and give thanks for the breadth of resources and assets ― time, talents, possessions and money ― God has entrusted to our care as individuals, families and congregations, and that we will discover ways of using everything we have to live out God’s call to love God and our neighbors.

21 We are “God’s servants, working together” for the sake of the world, sharing the gospel and growing the church. Pray that we will be of one mind and spirit as God’s humble servants, and that we will see accomplishments, growth and change as the result of God’s presence and power working through us.

22 Continue to pray for immigrants and refugees, who often experience daunting challenges and loneliness as they pursue sanctuary and a welcoming place to rebuild their lives in this country. Give thanks for the work of congregations, synods, individuals and agencies in welcoming and accompanying immigrants and refugees as part of the ELCA’s AMMPARO strategy (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities).

23 Pray that the Spirit will sustain our awe, gratitude and reverence for our savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our true source of hope and life.

24 Remember in prayer the thousands of people left homeless after Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas this past September. Pray for the long-term relief and recovery of people impacted, and for the extensive rebuilding of their communities and infrastructures by Lutheran Disaster Response in partnership with the Florida-Bahamas Synod, its congregations, and other agencies.

25 Give thanks for the Deaconess Community of the ELCA and for women who have responded to God’s call in a variety of roles and settings in the church and world, proclaiming the gospel through ministries of mercy and servant leadership.

26 Pray that we will always be attentive to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the world and that we will be moved by the Holy Spirit to be bright, shining witnesses, bearing the hope and promises of God.

27 God is great and awesome, forgiving and a lover of justice. Give glory and praise to God!

28 Creation, humanity and nature are knitted together intricately by our Creator in ways that sustain all life and enable the earth to thrive. Pray that we will repent for what we have done to harm or unbalance creation, and that God will grant us wisdom and insight for restoring creation and treating it with care and respect.

29 Give thanks for ELCA missionaries and young people serving in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission programs in Egypt, Israel, Jerusalem/West Bank and Palestine. Pray that God will bless and further their work with our companions in the Middle East and North Africa, especially in finding nonviolent paths to peace and justice.

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Movie Night & Pizza Party

For Your Information…..

February 21

Deadline for the

March NFTP

Tuesday, February 18 at 5:00 pm

Come and share an evening with your church family and bring your friends to the Movie Night and Pizza Party! Jeff Svoboda will be providing the pizza, and you are welcome to add a side dish or dessert if you wish, just see the signup sheet in fellowship hall. The movie, Amadeus, released in 1984, is a drama and comedy that won an Academy Award for Best Picture. The story is set in Vienna, Austria during the latter half of the 18th century, and is a fictionalized biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

If you missed the Annual Congregational Meeting and would like a copy of the 2019 Annual Report, see Sandy in the church office for a copy.

Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting. ... Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants, hearing the worlds, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Worship with Imposition of Ashes will be Wednesday, February 26, at 5:00 pm

It’s Leap Year