We live in an era when fame is highly desired.

Whether it’s getting hits on social media, getting invited to desirable gatherings, or making it big in Hollywood or Nashville, people want to be known, to be memorable— often for the wrong reasons. It’s noteworthy, then, that in 2017 the Lutheran church—and the world—marks a big anniversary involving one of our own (our founder, actually). Martin Luther didn’t intend to become famous, and yet he changed the world, helping to usher in the modern era.

This little sheet doesn’t have room to detail Luther’s life and accomplishments, and you will probably be hearing a lot about them from many sources, so this will just pro-vide a brief overview.

Martin Luther was born in 1483 in what is now cen-tral Germany but then was a separate principality called Saxony. His parents tried to give him a good education and hoped he would

become a lawyer. Instead, when he was twenty-one he be-came a Catholic monk. He wanted to earn God’s love but was tormented by the sense that he could never be good enough. He punished himself mercilessly until finally a wise mentor sent him to study and teach Bible at the then new University of Wittenberg.

Not long after he arrived there, he became incensed by the church saying, in effect, that if people bought a certain document—an indulgence—it would provide God’s for-giveness for their (or a loved one’s) sins. Being a university professor, he wrote a list of ninety-five sentences to debate about the topic. That list, the Ninety-Five Theses, stirred up a hornet’s nest in the church and began the Reforma-tion. He made them public on October 31, 1517—coming up on five hundred years ago.

For challenging the church and refusing to back down, Luther was called before the Holy Roman emperor, Charles V, at a meeting in the imperial city of Worms. Asked to take back what he

1301 Colley Ave., Norfolk, VA 23517 Parish Office: 757-625-1953 www.flcnorfolk.com

VOL. XXXI FEBRUARY 2017 NO. 2

About the Lutherans

Martin Luther:Monk to Reformer

Wittenberg in 1536 continued on page 2

REFORMATION 500

2 THE CONTACT • FEBRUARY 2017

“Martin Luther”continued from page 1

Epiphany Singers

had written, he refused and was declared an outlaw. Any-one could have captured him and killed him or turned him in to authorities, in which case his death was likely. Fortunately, his own prince protected him, hiding him out in a castle where he began translating the Bible into German. In the process, he helped create the standard German language.

Luther wrote many influential books, most of which are still valued today. He created the Small Catechism to

guide ordinary people in learning about God. He wrote hymns such as “A mighty fortress is our God.” He was a passionate, sometimes crudely mannered man, and in later life he wrote terrible, cruel things about the Jewish people, statements for which the Lutheran church has apologized.

Yet Luther was a remarkable man, helping to create the modern notion of what it means to be an individual, not just an atom in a sea of molecules, and, of course, reviving and reforming the church. He is a man worth celebrating!

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Paul Jersild has just published a book that may be of interest to FLC members. It is entitled, CHRISTIAN FAITH IN OUR TIME: Rethinking the Church’s Theology (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, under the imprint of Cascade Books). A

copy has been placed in the theology section of our church library. It can also be ordered from the publisher by email (orders@wipfandstock.com) or by phone: 541/344-1528. The retail cost is $21, but it is also available through Amazon.

Worth a Read

Connect with Others

Lydia CircleLydia Circle “wrestles with exclusion, barrenness, marital prob-lems and household tension” in a bible study entitled, “Sarah: God Gives Laughter”. Intrigues? Join the discussion Tuesday, February 7th, at 11:00 AM in the Conference Room on the second floor. Bring a sandwich if you’d like to share lunch after the program. Questions? Contact Pam Baynard, 638-4812, or pbaynard65@charter.net.

Blood DrivePlease mark your calendars! Wednesday, March 15th, is our annual Red Cross Blood Drive. Save the date and give the gift of life. Hours for donation will be 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM. We will do in-church sign-ups on the following Sundays: 3/5 and 3/12. You can also sign-up on-line at www.redcrossblood.org, using the sponsor code GHENT. We’re counting on you to do your part! Thanks!

Prime Timers Super Bowl PartyThe Prime Timers Super Bowl party will be at the home of the Lundquists on February 5th, beginning at 6:00 PM. Please sign-up in the Welcome Center or just let us know you’re coming. We hope to see you there.

Martha CircleMartha Circle will meet on Feb. 7th at 7:00 PM at the home of June Harvey.

John Porter 1-FebDavid Weisenbeck 1-FebNoah Fisher 2-FebEvelyn Robinson 2-FebAbigail Shepler 2-FebTimothy S. Hund 4-FebJoseph A. Leafe 5-FebMichael Robinson 5-FebStephen Azar 6-FebJeffrey Ross 6-FebMarley Fenley 7-FebMartchen Hiller 7-FebDonna Kennard 7-FebSean Rowan 7-FebArthur Ilardi 8-FebCaroline Echea 11-Feb

Wyatt Logan 11-FebTina Dulong 12-FebSydney Holbach 12-FebElena Ilardi 14-FebGabriel Dulong 15-FebLillian Gammon 15-FebWilliam Jordan 15-FebJames Ammons 16-FebBlake Boykin 16-FebMarcus Janik 16-FebDeborah Mansfield 16-FebYolanda Shea 16-FebJulie Moberly 18-FebChristian Fenley 20-FebDavid Loope 20-FebChase Williams 20-Feb

Lauren Kuehl 21-FebBryan Adkins 23-FebAlexandra Miller 23-FebKathryn Schaus 23-FebAndrew Hund 24-FebMark Utecht 24-FebWilliam Gammon 25-FebKathleen Prendergast 25-FebThomas DiBiaso 27-FebRobert Masters 27-FebHolly Milner 27-FebKylie Williams 27-FebIvy Peterson 28-FebMichael Stachour 28-Feb

February Birthdays

4 THE CONTACT • FEBRUARY 2017

FEB 5 FEB 12 FEB 19 FEB 26 ASSISTING MINISTERS (8:30) Jim Harvey

(11) Don Buckley (8:30) Steve Velotas (11) Kat Kussart

(8:30) Gail Plauka (11) Betty Meyer

(8:30) Chuck Baynard (11) Karen Siegel

LECTOR OT (8:30) Jim Harvey (11) Neva Goeres

(8:30) Don Lundquist (11) Janet Eggen

(8:30) (11) Judy Basco

(8:30) Don Lundquist (11) Barbara Ross

LECTOR NT (8:30) June Harvey (11) Julie Basco

(8:30) (11) Frank Minschke

(8:30) (11) Julie Basco

(8:30) (11) Elizabeth Janik

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE (8:30) Pastor Goeres

(11) Pastor Goeres (8:30) Lorette Horsboll (11)

(8:30) (11)

(8:30) (11)

CRUCIFER/ BIBLE

TBD TBD TBD TBD

TORCHES TBD TBD TBD TBD

ACOLYTES TBD TBD TBD TBD

COMMUNION ASSISTANT (8:30) Jane van Wolkenten

(11) (8:30) John Bissey (11) Denise Haag

(8:30) Blythe Scott (11) Charles Poston

(8:30) Robert Green (11) Lynn Utecht

BREAD

Kaye McGinnis Mary Bissey Barbara Chapman Jeanne Lampton COFFEE HOUR (8:30) Paul & Lorette

Horsboll (11) Debbie Duffy

(8:30) Jim & June Harvey (11) Barry & Frances Halcrow

(8:30) (11) Joelle Griffith

(8:30) (11) Jean Lampton

COMMUNION SET-UP (8:30 Jane van Wolkenten /

Schaus Family

(8:30) Chuck & Pam Baynard

(8:30) Dolly Hinton (8:30) Barbara Chapman / Jonathan Miller

COMMUNION CLEAN UP

(8:30 Jane van Wolkenten / Schaus Family (11) Robinson Family / Masters Family / Barbara

(8:30) Williams Family (11) Robinson Family / Masters Family / Barbara Cordrey

(8:30) Williams Family (11) Robinson Family / Masters Family / Barbara Cordrey

(8:30) Barbara Chapman / Jonathan Miller (11) Robinson Family / Masters Family / Barbara

FLOWERS Joy Kelly Janine Brown Julie Moberly Kirstin New

FLOWER REARRANGING Ginger Van de Water / Dawn Collins

Ginger Van de Water / Dawn Collins

Ginger Van de Water / Dawn Collins

Ginger Van de Water / Dawn Collins

FLOWER DELIVERY David Redilla David Redilla David Redilla David Redilla

GREETERS (8:30) Lorette & Paul Horsboll (11) Elizabeth Moll

(8:30) (11) Ginger Van de Water (8:30)

(11) (8:30) (11)

USHERS (8:30) Team One (11) Tim Hund, Steve Fox, Barry Halcrow, Joe Leafe, Charles Poston, Bill Robin-son, Ginger Van de Water

(8:30) Team One (11) William Wattai, David Basco, Linda Braaten, Gregg Clifford, David Redilla, Dick Temple

(8:30) Team One (11) Don Strehlow, Marion Ingersoll, Mark Utecht, John WIttmann

(8:30) Team One (11) Bruce Johnson, Steve Asam, Bob Braaten, Don Buckley, Chris Coffing, Gail Plauka

VIDEOGRAPHER

Steve Delaney Steve Delaney

February Worship Volunteers

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6 THE CONTACT • FEBRUARY 2017

Connect with Word and BodyReadingsfor FebruaryFebruary 5thIsaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12] 

Psalm 112:1-9 [10] 

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16] 

Matthew 5:13-20 

February 12thDeuteronomy 30:15-20 

Psalm 119:1-8 

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 

Matthew 5:21-37 

February 19thLeviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 

Psalm 119:33-40 

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 

Matthew 5:38-48 

February 26thExodus 24:12-18 

Psalm 2 

2 Peter 1:16-21 

Matthew 17:1-9 

Prayer Concerns for FebruaryRooted in the abundant life and love of Christ Jesus, we pray for the life of the church, the lives of people in need, and the life of all creation.

Give thanks...that we are water-marked in our baptism and are blessed with the forgiveness, love and grace of

Jesus....that God made Jesus known to us as a revelation that we are all loved and cherished by God....for Judy Biboum’s new baby cousin born last week....for Shane Thackston and Family....for the life of Martin Luther King, Jr, and all he did to peacefully follow the teachings of Jesus that

ALL people are loved and cherished by God and are to be treated equally with mutual love and respect.

...for God’s grace and peace.

...for our democratic institutions and the peaceful transition of power we enjoy in the United States.

...for advocates who help care for the homeless, the mentally ill, the poor and prisoners.

...that by grace through faith God forms us to preach, teach and live God’s Word.

...that we are so rooted in the Gospel that our lives overflow in worship, witness, service, learning and support.

Pray for ...comfort and peace for the family and friends of Dora Majer upon her death (wife of Dick Majer)....comfort and peace for the family and friends of Marilyn Melendy upon her death....comfort and peace for the family and friends of Myrlene Diekhoff upon her death (sister of Jim

Seagraves)....comfort and peace for the family and friends of Brett Williams upon his death....guidance to advocate for the rights of all peoples....the leaders and citizens of our country....immigrants....world peace....for the homeless, unemployed and underemployed.

Jean Bozeman, Roger Fuller, Patti Graham, Susan Griffin, Carolyn Meakin, Kelley Minschke, Lorna Moss, Betty Phillips, Rick Pougher, Kathy Schaus, Debra Thompson, Nancy Thorpe, Howard Warren, Richard Ballard, Charles Davis, Betty Denniston, Eddie, Gale, Miles Glee, Howard, Devin Hubert, Lance, Philippe, Richard, Annie Stewart, Debbie Wright

Those dealing with cancerRay Hinton, Chris, Larry Griffin (brother of Ivana Dinini), Suzanne Lasseigne, Hope Nor-ris, Ken O’Toole, Rose Peluso, Charles Sowers

Military and their families:Austin Davidson, Erica, Flanagan Mason Fox, Kelly and Eric Keiser, Dan Kelly-deployed, John Kennard, Joseph Milner, Roland Sanchez, Bill Seaman, Beth Silsdorf, Kevin Foster, Tim Kelly-de-ployed John Marfield-deployed

Receive these prayers in the name of Christ, the light of the world, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.Amen.

THE CONTACT • FEBRUARY 2017 7

Ridgeline: Faith is Now, based on Psalm 121, was the title of the VA Synod’s High School retreat know as Winter Celebration. Youth and adults from our congregation

and across the Synod gathered at Eagle Eyrie retreat center out-side of Lynchburg, VA, to explore the idea that no matter where we are, God is with us as guide, companion, and protector.

Faith is Now highlighted the truth that faith in God means life with God at every moment. Skits, music and small group dis-cussion brought Psalm 121 into focus and portrayed the life of faith as a hike through the ups and downs of a mountainous trail (a “ridgeline”).

Winter Celebration

(Left to Right) Front Row: Natalie Schaus, Jillian Stierwalt, Johnny Sackel,

James Weeks, Nano Masters, Pastor Goeres, Ella Kopf

(Left to Right) Back Row: Gary Weeks, Emily Weeks, Sarah McGinnis, Max Kelly, Orion Posey

Dear Lisa,

Thank you and our brothers and sisters in Christ at First Lutheran for the use of your “upper room” for our Council Retreat. It was a great space for us, and most of my Council members’ first time in your facility. They were very impressed – particularly of the sanctuary. Thank Mary for opening up for us, and for her hospitality.

Peace,

Pastor Scott Mims

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Letters

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