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Red Hill Lutheran Church & School

NewsletterMay 2017

This way in...Thank you, Red Hill! Thank you for your participation in our Lenten journey, “From Ashes to Light—40 Days of Change,” as well as the culmination of that journey during Holy Week. It is a privilege to be your Pastor and to lead this church as we make disciples of Jesus! We are a very blessed church indeed!

As we begin the month of May, I think it is important that we remember that while Holy Week and Easter have ended, the message of these sacred seasons are reminders of an every-day reality—following Jesus moment by moment in our lives. The Holy Week and Easter observances bear witness to the power and promises of God in the face of human sin and death. Holy Week and Easter also reveal the reality of what it means to be human in this world—days of joy and hope, days of suffering and doubt. Our hope as Christians is found not in the circumstances that we face, good or bad, but in the God who is sovereign and holds our lives and circumstances in His hands. Just consider the words we use to describe these holy days. Let’s start with “Palm Sunday.” Of course, Palm Sunday is the day that Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to the shouts of “hosanna” (“Save us now!”) and the waving of palm branches (See John 12.12-15). Palm branches were often used in public celebrations to welcome a conquering hero because they were abundant in surrounding trees. The palm branches would be cut or pulled down and then waved back and forth as one would wave a flag or banner. (In our day think of a 4th of July parade and waving the America flag as military veterans pass by). For many, Jesus was a conquering hero—at least they thought. He was going to conquer, to do battle with the Romans as they expected God’s Messiah to do! To be sure, this procession by Jesus is fulfilling prophecy and making a claim: the long promised Messiah is here! The Lutheran Study Bible describes it this way:

Palm Sunday is a high point, as a crowd at the Jewish capital openly acclaims Jesus as Messiah. It is also a turning point, however, since it galvanizes

His opponents. Like the crowds in Jerusalem, we are prone to fickleness—today all for the Lord, tomorrow turning from Him. Though we often prove faithless, Jesus remains constant. His love and forgiveness never falter.1

However, those who thought Jesus was going to fight the Romans and go to war were disillusioned and angry as Jesus literally surrendered to the authorities. The joy and excitement of Palm Sunday gave way to the confusion and fear of Maundy Thursday. It was on this day, Maundy Thursday, that Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion and issued a “new command” (Maundy—from the Latin “Mandatum” meaning, “Mandate”) that his disciples love one another as He has loved us. In order to demonstrate this love, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, a job for the lowest of slaves. Jesus leaves the upper room, walks to the Garden of Gethsemane, and prays for God to get Him through the suffering. Jesus is arrested, faces trial, and is savagely beaten. Jesus’ disciples flee in fear and deny that they even know him (John 13.1-5).

The dawn of “Good Friday” brings more beatings and Jesus’ eventual death by crucifixion. Let’s pause for a moment. Why is this Friday called “good?” Because on this day the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient God willingly came to die in our place; to take our sin and its consequences, death, into His divine life. God is holy, just and good, God cannot allow sin in His presence. Sin must be punished. And, God love us, and wants to be WITH US! On the cross, God justly deals with sin and death, as well as our broken relationship with Him. Christian theology has referred to this action of God on the cross as propitiation.

Propitiation is a big word that means satisfaction. Because God is a holy God, His anger and justice burns against sin. And He has sworn that sin will be punished. There must be a satisfactory payment for sin. But God said, “If I punish man for his sin, man will die and go to hell. On the other hand, if I don’t punish man for his sin, My justice will never be satisfied.” The solution? God said that

1 Lutheran Study Bible (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2009).

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He would become our substitute. He would take the sin of mankind upon Himself in agony and blood—a righteous judgment and substitute for sin. His wrath burned out on the cross when His only Son died as man’s propitiation for sin. And this is love (see 1 John 4:10).2

This is love indeed! Jesus was willing to go through whatever it would take to restore our relationship with the Father. The scourging and the crucifixion that He will face prove this truth (Matthew 27.32-44).

The terrible moments leading up to the crucifixion and the crucifixion itself, were literally, excruciating for Jesus (that very word, “excruciating” means, “from the cross.”). Pastor and author Mark Driscoll describes what took place on Good Friday:

The Bible simply says that before Jesus was crucified he was scourged. Now, scourging was so altogether painful that many men simply died from the scourging, never made it to their crucifixion. Scourging occurred when a man would be stripped, oftentimes naked, his hands shackled above his head, usually around a pole. He was then laid out so that his back and his shoulders and his legs were exposed. An executioner would take something called a cat o’ nine tails. It was a handle from which proceeded straps of leather. At the end of each strap of leather there would be either a metal ball or a hook made out of bone or metal. The executioner would whip the prisoner across the back. The metal balls would serve to tenderize the flesh as you would a steak. The hooks would then sink into the man’s body. The executioner would give a tug upon the cat o’ nine tails and then literally rip the flesh off the body of the man. History records that upon occasion this was so violent and the hooks would go so deep that a rib would literally come flying off of the body of a living man. Jesus was repeatedly flogged…3

After this, the Roman executioners placed the horizontal beam of the cross (the vertical beams were usually left in the ground, as wood was very expensive in the ancient world. In fact, even these cross beams were reused by the Romans). This part of the cross would weigh upwards of 100 pounds. Jesus was forced to carry this wood on His already traumatized shoulders. Additionally, scripture tells us that a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus’ head as a mocking gesture of Jesus’ kingly status. Again, I will quote at length, Mark Driscoll’s vivid description of the crucifixion scene:2 Adrian Rogers, “Complete Payment for Sin” (Love Worth Finding Ministries).3 Mark Driscoll. Doctrine (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossways, 2010).

…upon arriving at his place of crucifixion Jesus was laid down upon the cross, and he who was a carpenter had nails driven through the most sensitive nerve centers on his body, through his hands and his feet. At this point his body would have lurched involuntarily. He would have been in complete shock, physically excruciating, unparalleled pain. He was nearly naked, stripped and dishonored. The cross was then raised up and dropped violently into its hole so that his entire body shook upon the nails. At this point, he is bleeding. He is sweating. He is suffering. And as he opens his eyes to gaze upon the crowd that is before him, he sees his enemies. He sees those who have falsely accused him. He sees his disciples who have abandoned and betrayed him….He hears false accusations. He hears mockery. “What kind of God are you? You cannot even save yourself!”…And unlike so many other men, Jesus does not retaliate. He says things like, “Father forgive them,” for the crowd. He tells the thief who is rightly being crucified at his side, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” And he tells John, his dearest friend, to look after his mother. All of his words from the cross are of love and grace and mercy. He cries out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And then he cries, “Into your hands, I commit my spirit.”

Anticipating this in advance, Isaiah 53 says it this way. “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” That is how Jesus died.4

As Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross, His few followers who stayed wrapped His body in burial cloths and placed it in a borrowed tomb. A few of the women who followed Jesus (including His mother Mary) and the disciple John, likely left the tomb bewildered and confused. What about all that Jesus said? Did Jesus tell the truth? Is evil more powerful than good, death more powerful than life? I’m sure that these questions, or others like them, were swirling in their heads. Perhaps they began the countdown to Sunday, the first day of the week in the ancient world, to the time when they would be allowed to visit the grave and anoint Jesus’ body one final time. I also imagine that after two sleepless nights the women left their homes as soon as they could—at sunrise. They would make one final walk to the tomb to say farewell to the man that changed their lives (Matthew 27.57-61).4 Ibid.

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As the women approach the tomb, something is wrong. Mark describes it this way:

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16.1-7)

I love the angel’s simple words: “He has risen. He is not here.” He is alive! Can you imagine the sheer joy? Jesus is alive! Death is NOT the last word! He is not here! Because of Easter, death has been defeated, our sins forgiven, and reconciliation to God accomplished. God in Christ has given us a new beginning and a chance to start over and enjoy a new relationship with him. Because of Easter, all that Jesus said and did was confirmed, and He is the way, the truth and the life!

Too good to be true? Many have claimed that Easter is just not possible. Perhaps what the disciples had was a “resurrection” of their confidence in the teachings of Jesus? Maybe Jesus didn’t really die on the cross but only “swooned?” Maybe the disciples stole his body and spread the hoax of a resurrection? However, if you look at all of the evidence and take into account the sheer power of the Christian movement, it takes more faith to believe the resurrection didn’t happen!

While there have always been doubts, questions, and sheer refusal to believe the resurrection of Jesus, the Bible is remarkably consistent and reliable when it comes to Jesus’ victory over the grave. Christian apologist Hank Hanegraaff notes,

Of the many evidences available, none is more compelling than the fact that the resurrected Christ appeared to over five hundred individuals at a single time (1 Corinthians 15:6). Christ appeared to numerous other individuals as well, providing

“many convincing proofs” of His resurrection (Acts 1:3). Christ in His resurrection body was even touched on two occasions (Matthew 28:9; John 20:17), and challenged the disciples (Luke 24:39) and Thomas (John 20:27) to feel His wounds. For those who continue to harbor doubts about the veracity of the biblical evidence, one need only point to Dr. Simon Greenleaf, the greatest authority on legal evidences in the 19th century. It is noteworthy that after examining the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Greenleaf suggested that any cross-examination of the eyewitness testimonies recorded in Scripture would result in “an undoubting conviction of their integrity, ability, and truth.”

Yes! Jesus is alive! The early church understood Jesus’ resurrection as the central witness to a new act of God in history and the victory of God in vindicating Jesus as the Messiah. The resurrection marks the central faith confession of the early church and was the focal point for Christian worship, observed on the first day of each week since the first century (Acts 20:7; Sunday was officially proclaimed the day of Christian worship in AD 321). Personally, because of Good Friday and Easter, our lives and deaths are taken up into His. The very same power that raised Jesus is available for us in the present moment. Because of Easter, everything is different!

I close with this prayer (pray it with me):

O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to death on the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection has delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant that we who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection, empowered and transformed by your grace in and among us. Amen.5

Holy Week and Easter are over for 2017. But the power and truth of those holy days are a reality every day! May you know, deep in your soul, the passion of the cross and the joy of Easter! After all, it was for you that Jesus lived, died and rose again. You matter to God! And to us!

See you in church.Pastor Seth

5 Adapted from, The Book of Common Prayer.

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WORSHIP

What’s next? What the Bible says about the Afterlife

Red Hill Lutheran Church

Red Hill Lutheran ChurchMUSIC MINISTRY

Chancel Choir and Jubilee BellsThursday evenings in the Choir LoftChancel Choir meets at 7:15pmJubilee Bells hand bell choir rehearses at 5:45pm For more information, email info@redhillchurch.org.

Get involved in the Music Ministry!If you are interested in being involved in our Music Ministry, please contact Marty Schaefer, Director of Arts & Worship at ext. 102 or email mschaefer@redhillchurch.org. We have many ways that you can use your musical gifts in worship and service to the Lord. From the Chancel Choir, to the Jubilee Hand Bells Choir, to contemporary music, to solo singing or playing an instrument in church, we have a place for you!

Red Hill Lutheran Children’s ChoirChildren’s Choir meets weekly on Thursday afternoons from 3:50 - 5:00pm. No previous musical experience is required. Directed and taught by Jason Harney, RHLC Director of Music. Email jharney@redhillchurch.org for more information or to enroll.

Red Hill Lutheran Church

Music Ministry

music of the

Sunday, June 4, 20174:00pm

Featuring the music of J.S. Bach & Felix Mendelssohn

Works include J.S. Bach’s majestic ‘Ein Feste Burg’ Cantata no. 80 and Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42. �is concert celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the music it inspired!Featuring world class vocal soloists and full orchestra. �is is a music event not to be missed!Free admission. A free will o�ering will be taken. 13200 Red Hill Ave. Tustin, CA 92780 | 714-544-3131 | redhillchurch.org

Join us for this incredible event featuring world class vocalists and orchestra. This concert is a also a preview of the music many of our Chancel Choir will be singing on our tour of Germany and the landmarks of the Reformation in June. Invite your friends! This concert is free to all!

May Sermon SeriesDuring the month of May, we will continue our sermon series, “What’s Next? What the Bible Says about the Afterlife.” As we have already explored through the month of April, when it comes to the subject of the afterlife, questions, assumptions, and fears abound! Commonly referred to as “Heaven” and “Hell,” the Bible affirms the truth that human life continues after life on this earth. This is both our hope and promise from God! During the month of May, we will examine many of the Biblical questions and descriptions concerning the reality and nature of the afterlife:

• Why is there a Heaven and a Hell? • Is Heaven really “clouds and castles” and Hell,

“fire and brimstone?”• Is Hell “fire and pitchforks” or a “big party” with

my friends? • Do Christians receive rewards in Heaven?

Join us as we explore these and other themes related to what the Bible says about the afterlife. Here is what we will be studying in May:

May 7th:Sermon: “What about Heaven” Part 1.” Texts: Revelation 7.9-17; John 11.17-27May 14th:Sermon: “What about Heaven? Part 2.” Texts: 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; John 14.1-6May 21st: (Confirmation Sunday)Sermon: “Decisions, Decisions.” Texts: Revelation 21.1-8; 2 Corinthians 5.1-10; John 6.35-40May 28th: Sermon: “What about Hell?” Texts: Psalm 9.1-2, 13-20; Mark 9.42-50Again, the goals of this series are to deepen our understanding of what the Bible teaches about Heaven and Hell, and to encourage disciples of Jesus to live with a daily trust and hope in Jesus, who has promised real life now, and real life, after life after death!

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BIBLE STUDY & THEOLOGYSunday Bible StudySeeking Allah, Finding JesusSundays at 10:00 and 11:30am in the CLCJoin us on Sunday mornings this May as we continue our eight-week series on apologetics and evangelism among Muslims utilizing Nabeel Qureshi’s Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. Each session features Nabeel’s story in his own words of how he came to know Jesus as God. He explores Muslim culture, the most common Muslim objections to Christianity, and the core doctrines upon which Islam stands or falls. The eight video sessions include:

1. Understanding Muslims2. Testing the New Testament3. Coming to the Crux4. Jesus: Mortal Messiah or Divine Son of God?5. The Case for the Gospel6. The Truth About Muhammad7. The Holiness of the Quran8. Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor

Nabeel Qureshi is the author of the New York Times bestselling Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, the only book ever to win Christian Book Awards for both “Best New Author” and “Best Nonfiction.” Nabeel is a global speaker and holds degrees in medicine (Eastern Virginia Medical School), Christian apologetics (Biola University), and religion (Duke University). Nabeel is pursuing a doctorate in New Testament studies at Oxford University.

Raised as a devout Muslim in the United States, Nabeel grew up studying Islamic apologetics with his family and engaging Christians in religious discussions. After one such discussion with a Christian, the two became friends and began a years-long debate on the historical claims of Christianity and Islam. Nabeel chronicled his resulting journey in his first book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, the only book ever to win Christian Book Awards for both “Best New Author” and “Best Nonfiction.”

You are invited to join us for this interesting and informative study and discussion on Sunday mornings at either 10:00 or 11:30am. We will watch the video and share in table and large group discussion utilizing the companion study guide. While not required, you are encouraged to read Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus as part of this class.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study“Galatians” Wednesday 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Prayer ChapelTeacher: Pastor SethPaul’s letter to the Galatians was written to affirm the universal nature of the Christian faith. One of the immediate challenges to Christianity in the first-century was its relationship to Judaism. Would Christianity be simply a sect within Judaism? What would non-Jews (Gentiles) have to do to be a Christian at a time when most early Christians were practicing Jews? According to the ESV Study Bible, one of the reasons Paul wrote Galatians was to:

…counter those who taught that Christians musty be circumcised in order to be accepted by God…Paul showed how the gospel of grace leads to true freedom and godly living. Perhaps the central message of Galatians is a “person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (2:16).

The book of Galatians offers a look into the beginnings of early Christianity and how the core, theological beliefs of the faith were formed and defended in the midst of an often hostile culture. The universal scope of God’s grace was, and is, a primary doctrine that shaped the church’s self-understanding and mission.Through our study of Galatians, we will gain a deeper understanding of:

• The themes, message, and theology of Galatians within its canonical context.

• The nature and history of the early church in Galatia.

• Paul’s mission to the Gentiles and how this mission was a part of God’s plan through Israel.

• The nature of “righteousness” as described in Galatians and the Bible as a whole.

• Paul’s emphasis on God’s initiative to set people free from bondage to sin and “the powers.”

• The regular study of Scripture as the primary means of growing as a disciple of Jesus and living faithfully in this world!

You are always welcome to join us as we sing, pray, and study God’s Word together! If your schedule permits, after the study at 8:00 a.m., the class adjourns to Coco’s Restaurant in Tustin for breakfast.

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BIBLICAL COMMUNITY

Midweek Class: The Great DivorceApril 26 – May 107:00pm in the CLC Fellowship HallIn conjunction with our upcoming sermon series on Heaven and Hell, we will be offering a three-week class studying C.S. Lewis’s classic, The Great Divorce. Lewis intended The Great Divorce in part to be a rebuttal to a famous poem by the English author William Blake: The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Essentially, Blake used his poem to argue that Hell gets a “bad rap.” While Christian theology claims that Hell is wicked, and should be avoided at all costs, Blake proposed that Hell—and evil in general—was a vital component of creativity, enlightenment, and happiness. In all, Blake suggested that the only way for humans to be truly enlightened was to “marry” Heaven and Hell in their lives—in other words, to be kind and lawful (Heavenly), but also proud and devious (Hellish). Blake further suggested that a life lived according to traditional Christian values would be boring, repetitive, and overly “prudish,” and even implied that God and Satan were allies. Lewis despises this theory, and tries to refute Blake’s argument, “divorcing” Heaven and Hell for good.

Lewis’s first line of attack against Blake (and Romanticism in general, which Blake is essentially representing) is to show that Heaven is the source of all human enlightenment, happiness, and beauty. Lewis’s argument is epitomized in the character George MacDonald’s claim that Heaven is “reality itself.” Heaven, and good, are “real” in the sense that they’re utterly rational; indeed, Lewis endeavors to show that Christianity is really just “common sense,” meaning that sinners have foolishly confused themselves into worshipping evil and Hell. Furthermore, Lewis suggests that true happiness is only possible in Heaven. Sinners may believe that they’re happy; but in reality, they’ve just embraced short-term pleasures and sacrificed the eternal, profound pleasures of Heaven. There is, in short, no true enlightenment without Heaven—contrary to what Romantics like Blake maintained. The novel also argues that God (as the ultimate Creator) is the source of all creativity, so there can be no beauty, art, or creativity that doesn’t originally come from him, and reflect the beauty of Heaven.

Lewis’s second major line of attack against Blake is to present Hell as a boring, repetitive, and ultimately meaningless place—essentially, taking Blake’s criticism of Heaven and applying it to Hell. Hell, as depicted by Lewis, is far from the creative haven that Blake posited. On the contrary, damned souls barely interact with one another at

all, and most of them have drifted millions of miles away. There are many creative people in Hell, but because they lack the true “spark” of beauty and enlightenment that Heaven alone can provide, they’re incapable of producing great art or philosophy. Lewis then delivers the final blow to Blake’s ideas at the end of The Great Divorce when he reveals that Hell is tinier than Heaven—so tiny, indeed that it could fit inside a butterfly’s mouth. Lewis suggests that Hell, quite apart from being a worthy equal to Heaven, is actually almost nothing: put another way, evil is simply the absence of beauty, enlightenment, creativity, and all the other things that only Heaven can provide.1

This class will explore the background and major themes that Lewis weaves into The Great Divorce regarding Heaven, Hell, free-will, and the “point of no return.” If you’ve ever read The Great Divorce, or would like to, please plan to join us for this brief series on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the CLC Fellowship Hall. Childcare will be provided.

1 Arn, Jackson. “The Great Divorce Themes: Heaven, Hell, and the “Great Divorce”.” LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 5 Dec 2016. Web. 27 Feb 2017.

This month, we highlight a member, Michelle Palmer, who has been a constant source of inspiration to me and a relationship that I consider very special as we’ve shared together our journeys of faith and struggle.

Truly “Powered by the Holy Spirit”, Michelle is not afraid to share her humanness which allows her story to be used by God to open the eyes and hearts of others walking some of the same dark roads. Hers is surely a story of hope that can only be attributed to the work of Christ in her life, but it did require full surrender and trust in the ebbs, flows and turmoils that come with our earthly lives in order to see the beauty among the ashes. Below Michelle shares a small piece of her story:

Have you ever noticed how the tighter you hold onto something the less likely you are to keep it? Nothing in this life plays out the way we expect it to. Out of fear I cling, control and manipulate, or at least those were the patterns of the old me. When I accepted the Lord as my savior shortly after my 21st birthday I thought all my problems, addictions, anxieties and depression were going to vanish. Unfortunately, this was not the case. With high hopes and high expectations, I entered into marriage and motherhood with rose colored glasses. I prided myself on being

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the best spouse and mother that I could be. Year after year the picture of the perfect family eroded away and life’s heartaches took their toll on my heart, resulting in my divorce in 2011, and realizing my worst fear - being alone. For the next few years I acted as if all was okay but I was sinking deeper into depression and past addictions were rearing their ugly heads again.

In 2014 I had what Dr. Brene Brown calls a “spiritual awakening” (breakdown). I finally realized my life had become unmanageable and I needed help. Thankfully, God restored me through my participation in a 12 step program and Holy Yoga. Fully emerging myself into these resources, I began to “Let go and let God” and found I was able to breathe again. God was breathing His breath of life into me and restoring what the locust had taken. I have released my tight grip on those I love and have accepted that I do not have the control to change anyone or anything except me. Today I trust God for the outcome.

As a result of this calmer more peaceful life I began to hear God’s voice calling me to something greater. I started to feel restless in my spirit with the external stresses of my career and in the summer of 2016 decided to take a sabbatical. I took this time to pray and seek God for direction for the next season of my life. One day I was sharing with a friend that I was trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. He encouraged me to do something that I was passionate about and suggested I become a yoga instructor. I loved participating in Holy Yoga but never pictured myself as the one leading the class! Over the next week an excitement rose up inside of me and I decided to join the next Intensive training.

God has been so faithful through this time bringing me on staff at Red Hill Lutheran School and providing for me through the training program. I feel so privileged to be able to offer a space for all who seek a deeper intimacy with Jesus through the practice of Holy Yoga. I have had many spiritual breakthroughs and such precious worship times during Holy Yoga classes. In Holy Yoga we often say “it’s not about the Yoga” it really is so much more. My desire is to provide a space for all to come and experience God’s love, acceptance and healing, no matter where they are financially, physically, mentally or spiritually.

I’m grateful to Michelle for the transparency and ability to openly share her life struggle with others. Through her God is shining His light and shows us how to turn to Him when this life makes us feel like we are not enough.

1 Peter 2:5-7You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe.

Blessings to you all. Please watch for upcoming ways that you can get connected to others at Red Hill as we continue to build each other up in the Lord, learning to rest in His promises and remembering that through Christ we can all be living stones, used by Him to build His house here on earth.

Much Love!!Angie Calderon(714) 878-3274

21 Day Brain Detox – Led by Jen Colon, Physician’s AssistantMay 1st – May 21stRemove Toxic thinking and rewire a healthy mind using God’s Word and journaling.With the help of a special smart phone app, you will receive daily assignments as well as guidance for journaling from Jen Colon. This Spirit-led time of reflection will work on any area of struggled that you’ve experienced (health, relationship, faith etc). The cost for the app is $29 and can be used over and over again for a full year (the 21 day cycle can be repeated). Books are available to order but not necessary. A freewill donation that supports Jen’s special charity is appreciated but optional. Email – onfitefit@gmail.com to contact Jen if you are interested.

MarriedPeople Small Group – Five Week SeriesHosted by Bill & Angie Calderon – Day and Location to be determinedBeginning the week of May 14th – 6:30 – 8:30pmCome connect with other couples of Red Hill and get to know someone new. Welcome to all ages, you’re never too young or too old; never been married too long or too short to recharge how to love and respect your spouse in a fresh new

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way that gives honor and glory to our Lord and God. Using the MarriedPeople strategy we’ll study Our Habits, Having Serious Fun, Loving God First, How to Respect and Love and How to Practice Your Promise made on your wedding day. This is a DVD based study that is different than other small group resources for married couples because it is . . .

• Guilt free - No heavy prep or reading • Experiential - Something to do in every session • Practical - Go and do’s you can actually go and do • Man AND Woman friendly - Designed for both women AND men of all ages and stages• Fun - No therapy • Information Underload – each week focuses on one central concept, called a bottom line, instead of several

Contact Angie Calderon to RSVP so that we can plan for Child Care and Material needs acalderon@redhillchurch.org

Love, Breathe, Give FundraiserSaturday May 27th 20179:00am-12:00pm in the CLC Fellowship HallLed by Michelle Palmer, Certified Holy Yoga Instructor

9am - 10.15am Beginners slow flow with live music (ages 12 and up, all levels welcome)

10.45am - 12pm Kids (Ages 5-11, moms and dads welcome to stay or drop off. Snack and craft provided)

Invite your friends, family and neighbors as we come together to worship God through the discipline of Holy Yoga. As we focus on our physical alignment in the practice of yoga, we are reminded of our calling to come into alignment with God’s Holy Spirit. We will practice linking breath to movement, focusing our minds and finding peace in God’s word. There is a suggested donatino of $10 per class, per person. Extra mats will be provided if you need one.

These funds will be used to educate more instructors in Holy Yoga, specifically in trauma focused trainings. These instructors will then

be able to reach hurting individuals and share the hope of Jesus through the movement of Holy Yoga. Holy Yoga embraces the essential elements of breath work, meditation and physical postures. In all of these elements, Christ is the focus of our intention and worship. This training develops so much more than yoga teachers – they are gospel preachers. Isaiah 61:1 says, “The Lord has appointed me for a special purpose. He has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor. He has sent me to repair broken hearts, and to announce freedom to all captives.” We use the discipline of Holy Yoga to do just that: to shine His love and light to every dark corner of this earth.

Tustin Chili Cook OffSunday June 4th, 11:30am – 6:00pmWe need your help to man the Red Hill Church chili booth. This annual event is a great way to get to know others in a casual environment. Come join the fun. This is a chance for the Red Hill community to reach out to the City of Tustin and make Christ known. Signups will be coming in May. See Angie Calderon with questions.

Women’s Retreat Planning CommitteeSince our men have stepped up and set a great example in developing a retreat for themselves, many of their wives and other women of the church are eager to do the same. We are forming a Women’s Retreeat Planning Committee to develop our own “weekend away” to enjoy closer fellowship with each other while we also grow deeper in our relationship with our Lord. To share in the planning of this retreat, talk with Angie Calderon by call/text 714-878-3274 or email acalderon@redhillchurch.org.

Women of Red HillTuesday, May 2, 2017Join us for fellowship and sharing God’s Word. Our study is “Meeting God”. We will learn more of who God is so we can love Him and trust Him more, knowing He has a purpose for all of our lives.•Lydia: 9:00am in Music Library- Trisha

Gebhardt-949-857-4252 orpl.gebhardt@att.net.•Deborah: 9:30am- Shelia Feher-714-639-2030 or

psfeher@sbcglobal.net. - 14772 Hillsboro Pl. Tustin 92780

•Priscilla: 12:30-2.00pm- in Peter’s Parrish - Yvonne Cole 714-505-8709 or ydcole68@gmail.com.

•Rebekah: 7:00pm- in Peter’s Parrish - Nancy Pace 949-857-1107 or n15pace@yahoo.com.

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•Monday Night Women’s Study Group: 6:30pm - Terri Holte - 714-606-3167 or terriholte@hotmail.com.

•Prayer Group: Ro Shultz - 714-836-2884 or rkzshultz@gmail.com.

•Women of Red Hill mark your calendars for these upcoming events, June 3, 2017, Ladies Brunch.

•Combined Circle Meetings will be June 27, 6:30 p.m. and August 1, 9:30 a.m.

Aebleskiver BreakfastSunday, May 7th - 9:30am – 12:00pmRed Hill Lutheran Fellowship HallCome one, come all to one of the yummiest breakfasts ever! There will be those famous Danish puff pancakes, egg dishes, fruit, and sausage. Donations from this event will go to Laurel House. This is a special charity set up to help local teenage girls in crisis.Red Hill’s Monday Night Bible Study group visits Laurel House once a month to provide dinner and share the word of God. We see changed lives here. Come and fill up your heart with the blessings you can give these girls through your generous donation and fill up your tummy as well.

Women’s Book ClubTuesday, May 16th, 1:00pm in Peter’s Parish. Our book choice for the month is “Washington’s Lady” by Nancy Moser. Martha dreams of a quiet life with her beloved George, but war looms...... All Red Hill women are welcome. Any questions, please contact Marlene Thorson, 714/352-5896 or emthor@cox.net.

Golden Circle Golden Circle will meet on Friday, May 5th in the CLC at 11:45am for a Mexican themed Lunch. Please contact Yvonne Cole at 714-505-8709 or e-mail ydcole68@gmail.com or let Yvonne know in church by Sunday, April 30th.

Women’s Brunch!All Red Hill Women, Family and Friends, please join us as we "Celebrate Summer Dreams". Vacation from school, beaches, bonfires, flip flops, lemonade, ice cream, sleeping late ..... are these some of your summer memories?

When: Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 Where: CLC

Time: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Cost: $20 which includes brunch and goodies.

Tickets sold on patio on May 21st & 28th

MISSION/SERVICE

Quilters Do you love to sew? Can you spare a few hours a week to pursue your sewing passion?Then the RHL Quilters want you! The Quilters prepare and send quilts and layettes to Lutheran World Relief, who distributes them to the neediest parts of the world. The Quilters meet on Mondays in Peter’s Parish from 9:00 until 11:15 am For more information, please contact Rosalind Black at 714-838-3516 or Carol Hill at 714-878-8946.

Help us build a house in Mexico!May 26-28, 2017As in years past, a group from Red Hill Lutheran Church is going to Mexico on May 26-28, 2017 to build a house for a needy family. This is be Memorial Day weekend, so the crossing back from Mexico to the USA on Sunday should be relatively quick since tourists tend to stay through Monday – and you’ll still be back at home before Memorial Day itself! Space is limited, so please verify your interest by contacting Ken Hays (focusonit@ca.rr.com) as soon as possible.The cost for this trip is only $65 per person. The monetary donation covers group expenses: Rancho Solo (the place we’re staying) lodging, three meals at Rancho Solo, t-shirts and group hazard insurance. If the cost will present a hardship to you please quietly let Ken know - we can work something out!

Refreshment Table Helpers NeededIf you have enjoyed the coffee and donuts after services on Sundays, we are so happy that you have. If you are wondering how you can help “pay” for the refreshments, it’s simple! Please donate a half hour of your time at the Refreshments Table. Sign up and enjoy the fellowship with friends, new and old. We really could use your help and you will have the joy of serving and meeting new people. Please sign up by contacting Sandi Queen at sandidance@yahoo.com.

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rhlc Youth & Family

NEW ALTAR GUILD LEADERSHIP“Serve the Lord with gladness”. Psalm 100:2, was just that for me in the years I served as leader of this ministry. God blessed me with great kindness and cooperation from our pastors and staff, Altar Guild ladies, and many fellow congregants. Now it is time for someone else to step in.I am grateful to announce that Bettie Ore is the new leader of Altar Guild. I thank Bettie for her faith and willingness to do this. I believe she will experience the joy that I did, and I pray you will support her as you did me.

THANK YOU! Laura Hendricks

Monthly Newsletter: May 2017XP3 Ministries: Middle School/High School

Ephesians 6:10-18

Greetings in Christ!

Each year, in the month of May, many of our 8th grade students in Youth and Family ministry have the opportunity to affirm their baptism through the rite of Confirmation. As Pastor Seth shares with our 8th grade families, “The rite of “Affirmation of Baptism,” or “Confirmation,” is a rite practiced within the Lutheran Church that recognizes the life-long process of Christian education and formation that began with the sacrament of Holy Baptism. While Confirmation is not mentioned in Scripture, and therefore not commanded by God like the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, it does have a history within the Baptismal liturgy of the Christian Church. According to Luther’s Small Catechism, the rite of Confirmation is the process through which a Baptized person (8th graders at Red Hill) renews their Baptismal vows, publically confesses his/her faith, and is received as a confirmed member of the church.”

A1998 study of Youth Confirmation conducted by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod suggests that Confirmation ministry is “one of the stages of discipleship in the life-long journey of growing in relationship with our

Lord and in service to all people by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” In alignment with that viewpoint, we are very excited to see the outward expression through the rite of Confirmation reflect the inward decision made by our RHL students. Our youth at Red Hill have the enormous blessing of spending time with loving, engaged Pastors and small group leaders who serve faithfully in their lives over the course of middle school. The opportunity to have an authentic impact for Christ is rarely greater in a child’s life than during this time. We are so very grateful to all of our SGL’s who invest in the lives of our students in this ministry. In particular, our 8th grade leaders include: Mr. Bill Calderon, Mr. Verl Harnapp, Mrs. Linda Stepp and Miss Christina Baptiste. Their love and care for our 8th graders has been an integral part of each student’s Confirmation journey.

The Concordia study further examined the purpose of Lutheran Confirmation in this way for students:

• Personally confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and take personal ownership in declaring, by the power of the Holy Spirit, their own allegiance to Christ;

• Eagerly explore the awesomeness of God and the mysteries of faith;

• Identify themselves as members, as a unique and special part of the body of Christ, as Lutheran and members of a local congregation.

• Regularly participate in public worship and the reception of Holy Communion, engage in personal and group Bible study and its application to life, strive to lead God-pleasing lives and offer services to God by serving others.

• Celebrate the relationships that they have with God as their personal God who loves them graciously, their pastor and other confirmation staff people, their peers participating in the confirmation process, their family and other members of their congregation

As our students enrich their own faith journey, they continue to acquire competency in Bible study, prayer, worship, witness, service, community, family living and leadership. In the same way, we too, as adults can live the Confirmation experience each day in our own personal faith journeys. What a blessed reminder! Please join me in praying for our 2017 Confirmation Class, our Pastors and leaders in preparation for the Confirmation retreat, May 5th-6th, Faith Expression Night Family Dinner, May 17th and Confirmation Sunday, May 21st at the 10:00am service:

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• Leo Berteo• Alexander Blocker• Mikaela Brenner• Thalia Colon • Finnegan Driscoll • Connor Fleming • Caroline Ford • Emily Gemeinhardt • Noah Lawrence • Michael Mihalovich • Weston Michels • Eric Pascor • Alissa Salas • Rebecca Schaeffer • Emma Schwarz • Ashley Spinoglio • Lucas Welch

Summer time is almost here…and XP3 Ministry continues! On Sunday June 4th we transition our graduating 8th graders into High School Ministry and on June 7th we welcome our incoming 6th graders to middle school ministry on Wednesday nights. We are excited to launch our summer ministry series for both our middle school and high school students with trips to Forest Home summer camp (High School is June 25th-30th and Middle School is July 16th-21st), fellowship outings to the beach, Knott’s Berry Farm, an Angel’s Game, backyard pool time with BBQ and Bible Study and much more! Please see our Church website for the current May calendar and coming summer months as well. This is a great time to reach out to neighbors, teammates, friends, and the community to bring them to youth group! Please contact Mrs. Brenner or Miss Nicole with any questions!

In His Service,

Jennifer BrennerDirector of Youth and Family Ministryjbrenner@redhillchurch.org

Nicole BlackleyStudent Ministry Coordinatornblackley@redhillchurch.org

The Rite of the Affirmation of Faith (Confirmation)Sunday, May 21st 10:00am - Worship ServiceOn Sunday, May 21st at the 10:00 a.m. Worship service, we will witness the Rite of the Affirmation of Baptism or, Confirmation. For the past two years, a number of our Middle School students and their leaders have explored the Bible, Christian history, and our Lutheran theological perspectives as Baptized sons and daughter s of God. On Confirmation Sunday, these students will stand before their church, and confess their faith, and renew their commitment to Jesus who claimed them and named them in Holy Baptism. The Affirmation of Baptism in the Lutheran Church r e c o g n i z e s t h e l i f e -long process of Christian education and formation that begins with the sacrament of Holy Baptism. In the early church, Confirmation was connected to Holy Baptism as the catechumen (literally, “those being prepared”) were instructed in the Christian faith and life in preparation for Christian Baptism on the eve of Easter, the “Easter Vigil.” Immediately after Baptism, the catechumens were “confirmed” by the church with chrism oil, prayers, the sign of the cross, and the laying on of hands. In the Lutheran Church today, Baptism and Confirmation are typically separated by years of Sunday Worship, Sunday school, and two years (usually during middle school) of Confirmation instruction that includes Bible study and the exploration of Luther’s Small Catechism, consisting of the ancient creeds (Apostles and Nicene), the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. At Red Hill, we continue to celebrate the rite of Confirmation because as a church, we stand with these students and promise together that we will serve Jesus as His disciples. You may or may not know the students who will be confirmed this month. However, we encourage you to join us on May 21st to support and pray for these great students, their families, and friends, as the Confirmation Class of 2017 takes this sacred, significant, and faith-full step in their lives as disciples of Jesus!

May 2017Page 12

252 Basics (K-5th Grades)

May Orange 252 Basics: Determination is a response of the character of God. Throughout Scripture, we can discover that God has been faithful to His people. When we see how God gave His people what they needed to continue following Him, we can respond with determination believing that God will give us what we need to finish what we start.

Our Memory Verse for May comes from Galatians 6:9. “Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up” (NIrV).

We think it’s important for us to help our kids and families discover more about determination—deciding it’s worth it to finish what you started.

Palm Sunday Message Crowds gathered as Jesus and His friends, including Peter and John, approached the city. Instead of riding a powerful horse like a king, Jesus rode on the back of a donkey. The people didn’t care. “Hosanna!” they cried. “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!”

252 Easter Egg Hunt - 4th and 5th graders

252 Easter Egg Hunt - 2nd and 3rd graders

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252 Easter Egg Hunt - Kindergarten and 1st graders

On Palm Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem with palm branches and saying “Hosanna”.

First Look Preschool Class - Palm Sunday

Last month we hosted a wonderful play date at a local park in Tustin. Parents connected with other parents and the kids had a great time playing with bubbles and their friends. Our small group leaders enjoyed getting to know the parents better and spending time with our students. We look forward to more events like this in the future!

First Look Preschool Families - Park Play Date

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First Look Families and Small Group LeadersPark Play Date

In the month of May, our children are learning that God’s got it. God is always with me. God hears me and gives me what I need. God teachers me the way to go. God protects me. Our verse for the month is “He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God,” Deuteronomy 10:17. We look forward to continuing our First Look preschool ministry in the summer too! Come join us each Sunday for worship, fellowship and time with small group leaders.

2017 RHLC Vacation Bible School

Please join us for VBS July 10th-14th, from 9:00am-12:15pm. Preschool through 6th grade students are invited. Kids will discover that they are uniquely wired for one reason. They were wonderfully made in the image of God. VBS will show them the Creator of all things created us to know and love him. Kids will enjoy worship with a Bible message and then rotate through games, crafts, missions, snacks and life application activities with a small group leader.Registration is now open. Applications can be found on the church website, at the Children’s Ministry table on Sunday mornings and in the school office. The cost is $30/student or $50/family. Volunteers, 7th grade and older are needed to help run this community outreach event. No experience is needed and we provide the training and supplies. Training will be Sunday June 4th. We are in need of:• Rotation leaders who lead a station such as snacks,

crafts, games and missions• Small group leaders who lead a group of kids in

the same grade through rotations and small group activities, encourages spiritual growth, relationships and discussion

• Singers who lead hand motions during Worship time

• Builders and artists who help to bring the theme alive in the Sanctuary and campus

• Office support who help with classroom supplies• Prayer warriors who pray for the kids who attend

and the volunteers who serve

If you have questions, please contact, Carmen Gogosha at cgogosha@redhillchurch.org.May God richly bless your family in this beautiful springtime season!

In Christ, Carmen GogoshaFirst Look, Nursery and VBS Coordinator

May Birthdays 5/1 Gloria Tomas, Eric Budensiek5/2 Nick Darlow, Ellie Torgerson5/3 Gerry Aust, Leo Lano, Nancy Pace5/4 Kenneth Hays III, Laura Henry, Anita Hollis, Tony

King, Caitlyn Knight, Lavonne Walters5/6 Faith Andersen, Conor Paschoal5/8 Katy Granell, Winfried Kottke, Tommy

McCracken, Naomi Schaefer, Ron Troup5/10 Miranda Darlow, Jacob Sellers, Tristan Smith5/11 Sabina McCracken, Renee Mihalovich, Rebecca

Schaffer, Maxwell J. Unis, Garrison Unis5/12 Elaine Kral5/13 Doug Lehman, Tyler Shackle, Don Walker5/14 Liliana Smith, Delaney Waldron5/15 Tom Groff, Scott Raybourn, Scott Sampson5/16 Danalyn Belgen 5/17 Michael Jarcy, Paul Pooler5/18 Lis Fortner, Ryan Rieches, Rebecca Schell5/19 Ryan Maher5/20 Nicole Lee Austin, John Bjoin, Linda Cecil, Philip

Garnett, Celia Young5/21 Daniel Schulz5/22 Alyssa Alaniz, Linda Garner5/23 Linda Stepp, 5/24 Clara Harney, Chloe Miller, Daphne Surdyka

Malinsky5/25 Mark Clement, Brianna Dixon, Michelle Pooler,

Nicole Sanchez5/26 Finnegan Driscoll, Megan Huddleston5/27 Cassidy Cripps, Julie Pickford, Jamie Surdyka,

Scott Surdyka5/28 Mikaela Brenner, Benjamin Nellessen5/29 Andrei Gogosha, Betty Katnik, Julia Lacey,

Fenway Smith5/30 Eduardo Blocker, Josie Levesque5/31 Vanessa Frei, Dayana Robert

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Got a question for a pastor or staff member? You can email us straight from

our website at:www.redhillchurch.org

Not on The City?Visit

redhillchurch.onthecity.org

Church StaffRev. Dr. Seth Britton, Senior Pastorsbritton@redhillchurch.org

Joel Kelly, Executive Pastorjkelly@redhillchurch.org

Heather Bullock, Administratorhbullock@redhillchurch.org

Marty Schaefer, Director of Arts and Worship mschaefer@redhillchurch.org

Isaiah Coughran, Director of Contemporary Worship for Church & Schoolicoughran@redhillchurch.org

Jennifer Brenner, Director of Youth & Family Ministryjbrenner@redhillchurch.org

Carmen Gogosha, First Look Coordinatorcgogosha@redhillchurch.org

Annie Caamano, Children’s Ministry Coordinatoracaamano@redhillchurch.org

Nicole Blackley, Student Ministry Coordinatornblackley@redhillchurch.org

Angie Calderon, Director of Biblical Communityacalderon@redhillchurch.org

Donna Kunz, Executive Assistant to Senior Pastordkunz@redhillchurch.org

Jason Harney, Director of Music/Principle Conductorjharney@redhillchurch.org

Dr. Linda Brown, Organist/Jubilee Bells, Hand Bell Choirlindabrown@redhillchurch.org

General Inquiriesinfo@redhillchurch.org

May Anniversaries5/1 Michael & Pamela Hunter5/4 Carl & Nona Newe5/10 Brian & Victoria Cope5/11 Clarence & Shelley McCollum5/16 Martin & Lori Pastucha5/19 Scott & Carol Pickford, Rich & Louise Records5/24 Justine & Haryono Dianto5/26 David & Linda Nitzen5/28 David & Arlene Woolley5/30 Marian & Alexander Armstrong, Bill & Sarah Endres5/31 Andrea & Isaiah Coughran. Steven & Suzanne Towles

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February 2017Volum

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Non-ProfitPRSRT STD

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