July Newsletter
13 July 2010
Pastor’s Message
Dear Friends,
We’ve reached the season of summer, a time when many of you will travel to visit family, reconnect with friends, and spend vacation time. While working provides a dignified way to contribute to our community, I am reminded that each of us also needs time simply for being.
In Psalm 46, we are invited by the One who made us to “Be still and know that I am God!” (v. 10) These are moments when we find real refreshment. So often the way of the world focuses our attention on consuming more things. Sometimes we are led to believe these things will make us happier. But the way of faith, the way of gratitude, tells us that God fills our lives with reasons for joy. Together we take time to be—and together we notice the ways in which we are given new and abundant life.
Whether you will be traveling far from Greenville or staying close by in July, I encourage you to enjoy being alive! Gathering with friends for a picnic or a Trinity Dinner, walking on the beach, or reading a favorite book are all gifts that remind us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. These moments lead us to service in Jesus’ name. On July 10th, volunteers from Our Redeemer will cook a meal at the Ronald McDonald House. All are welcome to join us and a sign up sheet is in the gathering space (narthex). We will also gather on Friday, July 16th at 7 PM for a “Music Night.” The idea is to come, sing, and play hymns and songs together (If possible, bring an instrument!)
On Sundays we continue to worship and praise the God of life—the one who on hot days is “your shade at your right hand” (Psalm 121:5). And for all who will be traveling these next few months, I offer this prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (page 331):
“O God, our beginning and our end, you kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, you led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star you led the magi to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide us now as we set out to travel. Make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home, where you dwell in glory with our Lord Jesus Christ and the life-giving Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.
God’s love and mine,
Pastor Drew
Our Redeemer Council Meeting – May 16, 2010 (highlights)
Present: Gordon Johnson, George King, Taria Crenshaw, Gigi Lang, Sophie Burkheimer, Karl Colt, Judy Wood and Pastor Drew Goodson.
Pastor’s Report: Highlights included two Baptisms; hosted and participated in Hospice Service at ORLC; hosted two gatherings of NC Synod Northeast Conference; co-organized ORLC’S 50th Celebration..
Treasurer’s Report: April ‘current offerings’ were $1500.00 below budget.
Ministry Reports
Support:: A/C in education wing not operating due to faulty breaker panel. George informed Council part of electrical panel very old and needed replacement. Gigi reported new playground fencing has been installed and work is continuing on the playground relocation. The new ORLC telephone system has been installed. Landscaping in front of church is complete.
Worship and Music:: an Outdoor Service is being planned for June or July.
Marty Barstow’s last Sunday at ORLC is May 30th. Discussion followed regarding Supply organists.
New Business
· A request for use of Fellowship Hall and kitchen area for a graduation celebration by the Lang family on June 12th was approved.
· Health Care Benefits for Pastor’s spouse will be reviewed by Taria and necessary forms completed.
· Pastor suggested a one day “Council Retreat” be scheduled in September. Possible location is a meeting room located at St. James Methodist Church. Pastor will check availability and report back next Council meeting. Date and time will be decided at future meeting.
· Memorial donation acknowledgements discussed. Sophie agreed to design an acknowledgement
card and will bring her suggestions to Council in the future.
Worship & Music Team Meeting (highlights)
June 6 , 2010
New Business
Pastor has asked the committee to brainstorm about ways to present the
lectionary in terms of our everyday lives. This will be a continuing effort during the meetings of Pentecost.
Pastor asks the committee to help clean and organize the sanctuary this
summer. We will probably do this late enough in the season to prepare for Rally Day and the fall season.
Pastor wants a meeting with Altar Guild. It is scheduled for Saturday, July 10, at 10:00 AM. We will invite Mary Kerr, Cindy Collie, others ?
Pastor will solicit for worship leaders and preachers August 8 and August 15. He mentioned the possibility of having a supply pastor for one of those Sundays but the committee voiced the opinion that lay leadership for two Sundays would be fine.
Tom raised the question about an earlier service time during summer. After some discussion, the committee felt that it is too late to try to change the service time this summer. However, it is a topic we will revisit next spring in preparation for next summer.
2010 ORLC TRINITY GROUPS
These can be for any meal, any place and anytime! (Is there a new restaurant you want to try? Have a Dutch Treat Trinity Meal!) If you didn’t finish your previous rotation, no problem, just switch to this one! Conclude these by the end of December so we can swap again. Have fun!
The ORLC Fellowship Life Team
*Denotes Starter (member initiating first dinner)
*Bob and Lily Fainter
Jay and Cindy Collie
Gordon and Mary Johnson
Marty and Cyndee Brekas
*Sophie Burkheimer
Will and Carol Gerard
Taria Crenshaw
*Janet Hofstetter
Max and Phyllis Myers
Michael and Kate Scarabelli
Bernice Moseby
*George and Kathleen King
Drew and Megan Goodson
Phillip and Amanda Bostian
*Bill and Rebecca Sirginson
Floyd and Pauline Mattheis
Bob and Carolyn Green
GREETINGS FROM FELLOWSHIP LIFE TEAM
Your Fellowship Life Team meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6 PM. Our July meeting is a potluck at Janet Hofstetter’s house. We’d love for anyone interested in lending their talents to Fellowship to join us. Meat and dessert will be provided. Please contact Janet ( 355-8394 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) or any team member if you would like to join us on July 7th! We would LOVE some new perspectives and ideas!
Highlights from June 2 meeting:
· Receptions—Pastor reported two baptisms are coming up; June 13—Adam Chilafoe, July 11—Lorelei Grabill Pastor will ask each family at initial arrangements if they would like a reception.
1. Baptism—Fellowship will provide cake, punch, coffee, water & paper products
2. New Member—Fellowship will provide cookies, small cakes ( finger foods), coffee, water, napkins
3. Confirmation/Graduation—
Kitchen Cleanup on June 21st… we’ve acquired new things but haven’t removed anything.
Meet & Greet postponed until the Fall.. Kathleen made Trinity Dinner rotations—( see on page 3 of this newsletter)
NC Women of the ELCA Gathering highlights
Thank goodness I had ORLC member and long-time attendee, Phyllis Myers to show me the ropes at my first Women of the ELCA Gathering in Hickory on June 4-6 and I hope it won’t be my last! Thanks also go to the two WELCA circles at ORLC for sponsoring me to be their delegate. Listed below are just a few of the many highlights for Phyllis and me from that fabulous weekend.
· Learning about the missions of WELCA, we do a lot of good work all around the world! One very special example is the young Costa Rican woman we met. We have given her a scholarship so she can attend seminary to become a Lutheran Pastor. She danced a beautiful native dance to thank us.
· Attending a fabulous session led by Linda Post Bushkofsky, Exceutive Director for WELCA. Be on the lookout for a Facebook page for ORLC’s Eve Circle! (I was blessed to win a basket of goodies to help promote WELCA in this session as well!)
· Meeting Charlene Spillmann (and her alter ego, “Polly Darton”) a member of the national board of the Women of ELCA as well as Beth Wrenn, President of the National Board. (Did you know that Women of the ELCA gives away $3 million each year, has tripled the sales of Fair Trade coffee and dispersed 1371 tons of quilts?)
· Worshipping and praising God through service, song and dance with the 216 attendees (99% women) with women as our worship and music leaders.
· Participating in a Bible study of Mary and Martha that puts a new spin on the old story. (This will be a future program topic for Eve, stay tuned for that announcement!)
· Seeing the future of Women of the ELCA in the members of TAGG - Totally Awesome Groupies for God - ages 11 to 14, TGiF - Teens Gathering in Faith - ages 15 to 19 and TWGaB - Young Women Gifted and Blessed - ages 20 – 35. I know we’ll have many attendees from ORLC in the future!
· Being proud of ORLC for our contribution of 39 Health Kits on top of the 114 donated earlier this year. We are awesome!
· A grand total of 5338 Health Kits will be shipped to Haiti from NC Women of the ELCA!
Kathleen King, EVE Circle
Seeds for the Parish editor recently asked ELCA Facebook members: Do you know of a Bible Study or Sunday School program you would recommend for use?
If you would like to join in on the conversation and community—you can find us at www.facebook,com/lutherans.
WHY GO LUTHERAN? Are you or a loved one searching for a college/university to
attend? Check out a video at web site www. WhyGoLutheran.com
Three minute film is not a typical recruiting film. The video is also available on YouTube.
ORLC 3rd Annual Craft Bazaar coming soon…..
Please try to think of a gift God has given you and one you can share by crafting, sewing, flower arrangements, Christmas decorations, artwork, needlework, stocking stuffers, small toys or gift ideas AND …
BAKING ! cookies, pies, cakes, brownies, breads, pastries, ETC YUM!!.....
Everyone has either some God-given talent or learned skill and can contribute something to the bazaar and our fundraising effort. Use some of your ‘summer free time’ by
being crafty for Our Redeemer!!
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