RE-FOCUS A Publication of Reformation Lutheran Church

Volume 31 August 2011 Number 8

Jesus Chooses You! God is Wild About You!

Summer is a great time for opportunities to experience God in new and different ways in new and different places. Several Reformation youth took advantage of these opportunities at Camp Tomah Shinga and right here at Reformation as a part of Vacation Bible School!

At Camp Tomah Shinga, our ten young people heard the message that “Jesus

chooses you” as they swam, hiked, participated in Bible studies, and worked together on the ropes course. They also had a chance to share their gifts and talents at a mid-week “Witness Event” (Talent Show). During confirmation week, Pastor Kristin got to see some of our students get a little crazy at this event – once again

reminding her why it is that she enjoys working with these wild and crazy and wonderful youth. She was also reminded of that when she stopped in for a quick visit during the second week and was sent off with hugs from a couple of campers (who will remain nameless) – straight from the pool. Those soaking wet hugs offered a little relief from the 100 degree weather! As always, camp was a great time for these youth to grow in their relationship with God and with each other – making new friends and strengthening friendships!

Here at Vacation Bible School, everything from crafts and games to snacks, videos, songs and Bible adventures reinforced the idea that “God

is wild about us!” On Sunday, Fez the golden pheasant taught us that God made us, as we talked about the creation story (Genesis 1). The red panda, Amanda, joined us on Monday with the message that God listens to us, as we heard the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18.16-39). Boomer, the panda, taught us that God watches over us on Tuesday, as we heard the story of Jonah trying to escape from God

(Jonah 1-3). Wednesday, we heard the great story of Jesus dying and rising again (Luke 22.31-24.12), as Pogo the snow leopard taught us that God loves us, no matter what! And finally, on Thursday, Lulu, the golden monkey, taught us that God gives good gifts as we heard the story of God giving Hannah a baby (1 Samuel 1.1-2.11).

Offerings from Vacation Bible School this year were gathered for Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin, MO, to help with their rebuilding efforts after the recent tornado. The kids gave $230.16 during the course of the week which was added to by their parents and the congregation for a grand total of $830.88! Thanks for your generosity! While we may have had fewer participants this year, the fun and joy of this week still filled this building and overflowed into the lives of all of those involved. Thanks to everyone who made these weeks possible – through donations of your time, energy, and resources! Jesus has chosen you to be a part of the life of this faith community – and God is wild about each and every one of you!

Reformation Lutheran Re-Focus

Keeping it weird

Lowell Michelson Senior Pastor

There is no

expectation

that we all become

carbon copies

of one another.

Portland, Oregon is an urban center wedged between Mt. Hood, the Williamette Valley and the Tualatin Mountains. The massive Columbia River provides access to the Pacific Ocean making it a working seaport, even though it rests some ninety miles inland. The downtown area bustles with Intel engineers, remnants of the hippie movement, and scads of outdoor enthusiasts who punch the clock in town only to be able to slip away to the high desert of Bend or the rocky coast any chance they get. On Saturday mornings, you can find all these Oregonians mingling side by side with artists, entrepreneurs, farmers, and performers at the Saturday market. This multi-block adventure of sight and sound and smell is a mix of farmer’s market, art crawl, American Idol audition, and garage sale. Street musicians and jugglers are wedged between vegan food stands, chainsaw art displays, and hemp clothing booths. It is a diverse feast for the senses and the soul that reflects the popular bumper sticker and billboard, “Keep Portland Weird.” Years ago, when I lived in Minneapolis, one of my sisters drove from Ohio to Minnesota for a summer visit and made the observation that many of the restaurants and stores along the five state adventure were the same as those where she lived. Canton, Ohio had Cracker Barrel, Subway and Applebee’s, but so did Merrillville, IN, Rockford, IL and Madison, WI. If she needed some lumber from Home Depot or an ink cartridge from Office Max, she wouldn’t have to wait until she returned to Canton, but could pull off at any number of upper midwest exits and grab what she needed. My sister mentioned how disturbing it was to witness “the homogenization of America.” Mile after mile, chain stores and restaurants are taking over. Every town is beginning to look the same. Gone are so many of the mom and pop diners, corner markets, neighborhood hardware stores and independent movie theaters. Thankfully, that is not God’s hope and vision for the Christian Church. While Jesus

talks about unity in the Church and his followers being of one mind, there is no expectation that we all become carbon copies of one another. One of the beautiful and powerful things about the Christian Church is God’s desire to keep it diverse and unpredictable and well... weird. I even saw a bumper sticker that said as much - “Keep Church Weird.” The people of God throughout the world are brought together for worship and togetherness from all walks of life, with varied interests and talents. There are those who text and tweet praying with those who don’t embrace technology beyond a color TV. Widowers sing beside newlyweds and newborns. Cancer survivors, teachers, fast food workers, and college students reach out to one another as they “share the peace.” We sing and pray together in worship, not because we look the same, or vote the same, or were born on the same continent, or wear the same clothes, but because our hearts and minds are united when God meets us in the ripples of baptismal waters, a sip of wine, and a morsel of bread. No matter our race or size or interests, God welcomes us as we ask for forgiveness and seek reconciliation, love, and meaning in our lives. Leif Grane says, “The church is [universal] because it includes people from all over the earth… The church is characterized precisely by the fact that the church and the people in the church are not identical.” As this reality spills into our lives, some may say it is weird, strange, or bizarre. Jesus calls it faith, hope, and love.

We are all one in Christ, we are one body, all one people out of many. There is one God, and only one Lord; there is one faith, one holy love. There is one baptism; there is one Spirit, who is God the comforter.

English translation from Somos uno en Cristo

Cristo

Reformation Lutheran Re-Focus

+ I want to thank everyone for all their prayers, thoughts, words of hope and friendship since my diagnosis with cancer. It has been a long journey, but I could have not made it this far without all of you and God's presence. I am going to miss all of you dearly, but I plan on keeping in touch. I am starting a new journey to San Diego. My son, his wife and grandkids live there and that is the best medicine ever. My daughter will also be moving out soon. And, as you know my sister who has lived with me for the past year finally is getting to move home to San Diego to be with her husband, Denny. They have been a real help to me and I will never be able to thank them enough for changing their lives for me this past year. Finally, my family will all be together. Again, thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart; I will keep you all in my prayers. I love you all.

Lorna Ruckdaschel + We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our wonderful Reformation friends for the prayers and cards during Jack’s illness and following his death. We are also deeply appreciative for the food, the large number of memorials and continued prayers and cards. Mark Dickerson and family

Book Club August 16, 7:00 p.m.

The book club meets every third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Everyone is welcome. The following book titles have been selected:

August 16, A Lesson Before Dying

by Ernest Gaines September 20, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein October 18, Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool November 15, Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg

Back-to-School

Volunteer Opportunities

At Coleman Middle School

It’s almost Back-to-School time in Wichita, and that means more volunteer opportunities at our partner school, Coleman. This month we’re concentrating on ways we can help before school starts.

• Reformation will host a Back-to-School

luncheon for Coleman faculty on August 9. The Partnership Committee will prepare the main dishes, but volunteers are needed to bring desserts. Sign up in the narthex before August 7 or contact Suzanne Koch (688-0553).

• We are collecting school supplies for distribution at Coleman. There is a collection box in the narthex, along with lists of specific needs. Pick up a copy of the list and take it shopping with you. When teachers specify a particular brand or size, that’s what they want kids to use in the classroom, so do choose items from the list. Last date for donations is August 7.

Reformation Lutheran Church Financial Results through

June 30, 2011

Budget to Date

Actual Favorable/ (Unfavorable)

Income * $243,400 $245,788 $2,388

Expenses $258,950 $236,619 $22,231

N Net income/ (loss)

($15,550)

$9,169

$24,719

* Includes pledges, loose or unpledged offerings, interest income and all other sources of income.

Pledges were $191,510 of which $194,399 was received by June 30, 2011.

Reformation Lutheran Re-Focus

Library Workday August 2, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Thanks to the generosity of our members, the church library has received countless gifts of books, CDs and other materials. We would like to get these gifts sorted, catalogued and on the shelves as soon as possible. There’s just one minor problem: the librarians are swamped and need a little help.

A Library Workday is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers may help sort through donations, prepare check out cards, attach shelf identification labels to materials and – for the computer savvy – learn how to add materials to the library data base.

No special expertise is required. You are welcome to come and go as your schedule permits. Please contact Dallas Cronk (733-2454) or Lotus Gerards (683-8602) if you can help. We’ll have the coffee pot on.

Sunday School Rally Day Fall Festival Potluck & Carnival

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Learning...Worship...Food....Fun

for kids and adults of all ages!

Join us as we prepare for another great year of learning on Sunday mornings!

9:00 a.m. Rally Day Kick-Off 11:30 a.m. Potluck Lunch 12:00 p.m. Fall Festival Carnival

The fun-filled day will begin with our Rally Day Kick-Off in the Parish Hall at 9:00 a.m. Please drop off your favorite dish whether it is meat, salad, veggie or dessert to the kitchen before worship. Immediately following worship, the delicious feast begins!

Carnival games - Face Painting - Cupcake Walk

Twinkles the Clown - Putt Putt Golf - Pie-a-Pastor!

With full bellies...kids and adults of all ages are invited to stick around after our potluck lunch as the festivities continue! There will be many games of skill and chance, plus small prizes! You don't want to miss Pie-a-Pastor!

Don’t Miss the Fun!!!

Women of Reformation Calendar All activities are held at the church unless otherwise noted.

Aug. 1 Blanket Makers

Aug. 9 Cornerstone Ministry, 3 p.m. at Via Christi Village

Aug. 15 Blanket Makers

Aug. 22 Executive Board, 1 p.m.

Aug. 29 Blanket Makers

Reformation Lutheran Re-Focus

Rerun

First, I want to apologize for what might seem like an echo whenever our articles are published about the Community Breakfast. But there is meaning to our craziness. The more we talk about what this ministry

needs, the more you will remember us when you are garage “sale-ing,” spring cleaning, bargain shopping, etc. This is also for those new members who are wondering what this is all about. All donated items should be clean and serviceable. The expressions of sheer gratitude and humble thanks are priceless. We served breakfast to approximately 130 in June. Big morning! I remember when 100 was a lot, now 130 is not so bad. With the roller coaster economy and unfortunate circumstances, we are seeing more and more to minister to each month. The figures are staggering. Here is the warm weather needs list:

• backpacks! (or any carrying bag/tote bag)

• pants/slacks/shorts (blue jeans, dockers, etc., no suits or dress slacks, please)

• t-shirts/shirts/blouses/golf shirts

• jogging/athletic suits

• socks/stockings (lighter weight)

• shoes/boots/sandals/athletic shoes

• baseball caps/hats/belts

• toiletries/lotions/sunblock (individual)

• sunglasses

• paperback books

• compact/retractable umbrellas

• insulated hot/cold cups/refillable water bottles

• plastic Wal-Mart/Dillon’s, etc. sacks And we will always echo our thanks to all of our monthly volunteers who deliver groceries on Friday, show up early on Saturday to set-up, cook, and tear-down and clean. We could not do it without you. And we cannot have a successful ministry without your dollars. This is a self-supporting ministry that does not rely on the church budget, so please search your heart and be generous. Thanks again and God Bless. Until next time, please pray for this ministry as we pray for you, Bob L. Livingston, Community Breakfast Volunteer Susan Martin, Coordinator

Ice Cream Social August 7, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

The Fellowship Board is sponsoring the annual ice cream social on August 7 at the church. We’ll also celebrate Pastor Lowell’s 5th ordination celebration at this event. Join us in giving thanks for his ministry among us. The fun will start at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, fill up your bowls, sit back and enjoy the goodness of homemade ice cream of many different flavors and a variety of toppings. A sign-up sheet is located in the narthex. Please sign up if you can bring a freezer of ice cream or sweet treats such as cookies, brownies, etc. Contact Mary Ward-Pfeiffer (685-5754) with any questions.

Stephen Ministry

Caring for You through Christ

Stephen Ministry at Reformation Lutheran Church is available to bring care to all in need. This confidential, Christian care giving is a vital part of the total healing ministry of Christ’s body the Church. Stephen Ministers are trained to help the care receivers to cope effectively with their challenging situations and to grow in their spiritual journey.

As a care receiver you could: - develop stronger ties with a community of

Christians - grasp the role of suffering in life - accept forgiveness and grace from God and others - give forgiveness and love - increase your level of trust - improve your relationship with God - learn positive attitudes and expectations - develop a foundation for holistic stability in your life - nurture a healthier ego and a realistic self-image - build whole and rewarding relationships God alone is the one who makes broken individuals whole. For more information, please call 634-0586.

Reformation Lutheran Re-Focus

Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 14

It is that time of year again! Pencils, paper, crayons and other school supplies are flying off the shelves as families prepare for a new school year. On Sunday, August 14, all students – young and old – are invited to bring their backpacks, school bags, or lunch boxes to worship for a special blessing as school begins. Together we will pray for God’s blessing on those bags, as well as the students who carry them. We’ll be reminded that God goes with us wherever we go and whatever we do – even school – and kids will receive a special reminder of that promise!

High School Youth Ministry

Leadership Team

Do you love God and care for kids? Are you feeling God’s call to minister to Reformation’s youth? Over the past several months, we have been working to build a team to be involved with Reformation’s high school youth. If you would like to join us in this fun, wacky, wonderful, awe-inspiring ministry, please join us at our monthly meetings on the first Thursday night of the month at 6:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Mary Brittain (733-5764) or Pastor Kristin (634-0586).

Calling Those with a Heart to Teach Sunday, August 28, 11:15 a.m.

Put these words of mine in

your heart and soul…

Teach them to your children… Deuteronomy 11:18-29, NRSV

Do you have a heart for kids? Then being a Sunday School teacher might be right up your alley! On Sunday, August 28, at 11:15 a.m., anyone interested in teaching Sunday School is invited to join Sunday School superintendent Susayn Brandes and Pastor Kristin as we make plans for the coming year of Sunday morning learning for the young ones of this place. Whether you have taught for years or are just exploring the possibility, please come to be a part of the conversation. Perhaps adults are more your speed. We are looking for people who would be interested in teaching and leading more learning offerings for adults as well. If that is you, please contact Pastor Kristin or Susayn Brandes.

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Do You Have an Article for the Re-Focus?

Please E-Mail to Debbie or leave in the office mailbox.

Deadline for the September Re-Focus is August 15, 2011.