Interim Ministry Report · 2012-05-31 · Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 Fax 512.671.6103 Volume No. 1206 June 2012 Edition

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 Fax 512.671.6103 www.lordoflifeaustin.org

June 2012 Edition Volume No. 1206

Inside this issue:

Summer Worship 1

Interim Ministry Report 1

Father’s Day 1

Kindred Sisters 2

Coffee Time 2

Preparing for Sunday 2

Birthdays/Anniversaries 2

Youth Focus 3

Prayer List 3

Habitat for Humanity Build 3

Cooking Club 3

Library Notes 4

Vacation Bible School 4

Annual Fellowship Retreat 4

Book Club 4

Synod Assembly Report 4

Memorials 4

President’s Report 5

Congratulations! 5

Welcome! 5

Congregational Life 5

Global Initiatives 5

State of the Church 5

Summer Job Search Tips 6

Boy Scouts at LOL 6

Beth Moore Live! 6

Worship Leadership 7

Calendar 8

Beth Moore Bible Study 9

Job Search Ministry 10

God’s Work, Our Hands

Summer Worship Schedule

June 3–September 2

9:30 am

We will hold one worship service during the summer months—at 9:30 am—

from June 3rd through September 2nd. The next Sunday, September 9th,

we will return to the two-service schedule and resume Sunday school as well.

Interim Ministry Report

Sunday, June 3rd at 10:30 am

The interim ministry report, which is based on member interviews and

church records, will be presented in the sanctuary on Sunday, June 3rd,

immediately following the 9:30 am worship service.

Reflections for Father's Day

This year Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 17th. Although fathers and

other male role models don't receive the attention that mothers do, they

obviously still have the opportunity and responsibility to affect the lives of

others in positive ways. What follow, then, are some sayings that may be

helpful in reflecting on this day. Happy Father's Day!

“To God himself we cannot give a holier name.” — William Wordsworth

“He who brings up, not he who begets, is the father.” — Exodus 34:3

“One...is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” — George Herbert

“Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for

family life.” — Oscar Wilde

“One whose daughter marries a man vastly her inferior mentally, but then

gives birth to unbelievably brilliant grandchildren.” — Anonymous

Page 2 Life-Lines

Preparing for Sunday

June 3 Isaiah 6:1-8 Psalm 29 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 June 10 Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm 130 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 May 20 Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92:1-4; 12-15 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17 Mark 4:26-34 May 27 Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 141 Acts 13:13-26 Luke 1:57-67

LOLLC LADIES: KINDRED SISTERS

Monthly Meeting – 1st Tuesday Morning

Bring your saved cancelled postage stamps for LWR Stamporee Box

Questions: Marge Kretschmar 258-2988 or Glenace Klinker 671-3690

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Pastor Watt: Interim Ministry Report

10:30am @ LOL Café

No Meeting in July

COFFEE TIME

Through the Summer Coffee

Time will be from 9:00-9:30

Come join us for fellowship

before the service!

Schoss, Avery 06/26 Smith, Chapin 06/27 Crawford, Dorothy 06/28 Rohne, Jr., Paul 06/28 Anniversaries: Marcus and Sherrie Hafner, Sr. 06/03/1978 Gregory and Koren Weston 06/06/1998 Gary and Cindy Wilks 06/08/2002 David and Amy Hart 06/10/2005 Gary and Marilee Parsons 06/11/1994 Robert and Linda Lane 06/22/1992 Jim and Cindy Tarsi 06/24/1990 Russell Parr & Angie Parr, M.D. 06/30/1984

Birthdays: Simpson, Dustin 06/02 Grunska, Christopher 06/03 Hart, Amy 06/03 Scott, Jennifer 06/04 Prather, Lindsey 06/05 Harrington, Dorothy 06/07 Smith, Timothy 06/07 Spilo, Hilary 06/08 Brown, Michael 06/14 Willenborg, Avery 06/21 Estes, William 06/23 Fink, Richard 06/25 Schilling, Pauline 06/25 Duarte, Nathaniel 06/26 Duarte, Nicolas 06/26 Hafner, Sr., Marcus 06/26

Congratulations! David & Heather Pencil

We welcome Dante Josiah Pencil, born on 5/29/2012.

KINDRED SISTERS NEWS

Tuesday, June 5, Kindred Sisters will meet at 10:30 am in Koinonia Café. Our program

will be presented by Pastor Alan Watt: “Biblical Reflections on the Interim Ministry

Report.” Pastor will have a Q&A/discussion following his Report. NEW to Kindred

Sisters: We are all going to bring a SACK LUNCH. Our Hostess will provide dessert and

drinks. Marge Kretschmar is our June Hostess. We invite all ladies of LOLLC and

friends to join us … Questions: Marge Kretschmar 258-2988 and/or Glenace Klinker

671-3690

Our May 1 outing to Harry Ransom Museum to view “The King James Bible:

Its History and Influence” Exhibition was most informative, especially with the

knowledge of our docent. Hopefully, many more from our Congregation will take the

opportunity to see this Exhibit till July 29, 2012 at the Museum (free admission).

Another special adventure of the day … We had lunch at Corner Bakery Café on its

second day of business. So good and fun!

A new Kindred Sister “Dessert/Drinks Hostess” Chart is up in Café … Please sign up

accordingly.

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Stamporee project. THANKS to all who are saving stamps

from your mail … Let’s fill our LWR Stamp box in the Welcome Center again.

Page 3 Volume No. 1206

REMEMBERING IN PRAYER OUR MEMBERS,

FRIENDS/FAMILY, AND

HOMEBOUND

Vada Bockhorn,

Ann Willman,

Angie Parr,

Brenda Searcy,

Howard Peterson

Ben Covington,

Marie Flannery,

Judy Johnson,

Jackie Valle,

Beth Petropoulos,

Agnes Williams,

Dion Czajkowski,

Verline Berkman,

David Rickers,

Angie Wolken,

Ruby Ivy,

Fran Hendricks,

Dorothy Hamilton,

Alberta Otto,

Dot Harrington,

and the family of

Gloria Boudreau

COOKING CLUB

Freezer meal cooking is going

great! We have been able to

provide several meals to people

in need and a few for our own

families. If you would like to

join us, our next meeting is June

23rd at 10 AM at the cafe.

Oh so many wonderful things have happened with our youth this month! We begin with

Natalie Smith and Rachel Brown receiving academic recognition for three years in a row!

Madeline Smith was pinned as a Round Rock High School Dragonette and will be a

“Rookie” on the team in the fall. Her big sister, Natalie Smith, was selected for the “Senior

Team” of the StarDancers Dance Team! Go girls!!

Maddy Penland received the outstanding Texas History student at the 7th grade awards

ceremony. She was also inducted into the National Junior Honor Society! Lauren Brown

received the outstanding Science student at the 8th grade awards ceremony along with

perfect attendance for the 2011/2012 school year! Congratulations girls!!

Rachel Brown was selected to be the McNeil AF JROTC Corps Commander for the

upcoming school year. She also received Cadet of the Year, Commanders Choice and the Air

Force Association Award.

Our high school and college graduates this year are:

Bryan Dowling graduated from McNeil High School and will be going to Angelo State

University. He received a CARR scholarship from Angelo State, and a scholarship from

McNeil FFA. During high school he won 1st place in the Travis County Youth Welding

Competition and won Grand Champion for the metal project he submitted to the Travis

County Youth Show in 2012.

Katrina Lack graduated from McNeil High School and will be going to Texas A & M for

Mechanical Engineering. During high school she earned the Girl Scout gold award,

maintained a 4.0 GPA, and 1st and 2nd in state engineering competition in 2010 and 2012

respectively!

Hunter Wiruscheske graduated from McNeil High School and will be going to Angelina

College in Lufkin on a baseball scholarship. He won McNeil High School's Baseball Will to

Win Award and was named Varsity MVP.

Lydia Smith graduated from Round Rock High School and will be attending Texas A&M-

Corpus Christi.

Deirdre O’Donnell graduated from Anderson High School and will be going to UT Arlington

for film studies/screen writing.

Shelby Prather graduated from Leander High School and will be attending the University of

Mary Hardin Baylor – majoring in education. She received a UMHB Leadership

Scholarship, UMHB Crusader Scholarship, CTFCA Scholarship and a LHS Volleyball

Booster Scholarship.

Noah Taylor graduated from Westwood High School and will be attending Texas State for

Music Production!

Lauren Dowling graduated from Angelo State University with an Associates of Applied

Science in Nursing, and has accepted a Registered Nurse position in the Pediatric Unit of

San Angelo Community Hospital.

We are all proud of you for all your accomplishments! We will have a few more next month

as not everyone has had their ceremonies! Now to take some much needed rest and

relaxation!!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Thank you to everyone who

participated in May’s Habitat

for Humanity build, sponsored

by Thrivent! It was a great time

of service and fellowship.

Page 4 Life-Lines

LIBRARY NOTES - June 2012

by: Donna Estes

THE POSTMISTRESS - by: Sarah Blake

This story is of two women, in two different worlds, whose

jobs are to deliver the news, yet each finds herself unable to

do so. The story examines how we all tell each other’s

stories and how the fact of war is borne in the ordinary lives

we all live.

Iris James is the postmistress in 1940 in coastal Franklin

MA. She knows more about the townspeople than she would

ever reveal. She believes that it is her job to "deliver secrets"

to the people of Franklin, yet one day she does the unthink-

able and slips a letter into her pocket, reads it and does not

deliver it.

Another young woman, Frankie Bard, broadcasts from

Europe with Edward R. Murrow. Her listeners in Franklin

pay heed as she tells of the Nazis bombing London nightly.

They think the war can't touch them ...but Iris and Frankie

know better.

A book I found hard to put down!

ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP RETREAT

June 22-24

Save the date on your Summer Calendar! The Lord of Life

2012 Annual Fellowship Retreat will be June 22-24. This will

be the third year for the retreat and we hope to see you there!

This is a retreat for all ages and the camp is full ADA

compliant. The retreat will be held at Lutheran Camp

Chrysalis in the beautiful hill country near Kerrville, TX.

The days will include the fellowship activities of board games,

canoeing, archery, hiking, swimming, high ropes courses,

worship, bible study and relaxing! The cabins have cool

air-conditioning and common areas to share fellowship. The

camp provides all of the meals. Please see Dave Smith or

Deanna Brown for any additional details. Sign-up sheets and

more info will be available soon. We hope to see you there!!

MEMORIALS

In memory of Anthony Rusk

by Herman & Olga Haenel

by Cheryl Jorgensen

by Donna Hoffman

In memory of Bill Koppelman

by Herman & Olga Haenel

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 11-15

This year’s VBS will be from 9:00am to Noon on June 11-15.

The cost is $20 per child or $50 per family. The registration

form is available from our website. Just follow the Vacation

Bible School link on the front page to download the

Registration Form. Please return completed forms with

payment to the office, and please mention our VBS program

to your friends and neighbors with young children.

There are still opportunities to help as a teacher or assistant if

you are interested in getting involved. Please contact the

office or Melinda Prather for more details.

2012 SYNOD ASSEMBLY REPORT

by Chuck Neeley

The 2012 synod assembly was held May 19-20 under the

theme "God's Work, Our Hands: Washed and Renewed" at

the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. Pastor Alan

attended as a voting roster (clergy) member along with Chuck

and Julia Neeley as voting lay members.

The synod assembly opened Saturday, May 19 with a

Service of the Word with synod bishop the Rev. Ray

Tiemann presiding and ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

preaching.

The assembly reelected the Rev. Ray Tiemann to a third

six-year term as bishop of the synod. Bishop Tiemann was

elected on the fifth ballot for bishop over the Rev. Michael

Coffey, pastor of First English, Austin. On the fifth ballot,

Tiemann received 199 votes to 157 for Coffey. Bishop

Tiemann was first elected synod bishop in 2000 and was

reelected to a second term in 2006, also at a synod assembly in

Corpus Christi. Chuck and Julia also attended the 2006

convention.

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, the credentials report noted 459

assembly participants: 124 rostered voting members, 263 lay

voting members, eight voting members under the age of 18,

eight non-voting members, three ecumenical guests, and 53

visitors.

The assembly adopted a 2013-2014 budget calling for

mission support and other revenue totaling $1,528,000 and

ministry expenditures totaling $1,534,222. The synod’s fiscal

year begins Feb. 1 and ends Jan. 31.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson was the churchwide

representative at the assembly. The offering received at the

assembly will support the synod’s Evangelical Mission

Endowment Fund. Annual distributions from the

endowment fund will support the re-start of congregational

ministries, mission starts, congregations under development,

synodically authorized worshipping communities, and

ministries that are dependent on financial assistance. The

assembly offering goal is $100,000. Lord of Life donated $200

to the appeal.

The Tuesday night book group will begin Keith Miller's The Taste of New Wine on June 12th at 7:15 p.m. The class will end

around mid-July. If you are interested in participating, call Olga at 255-5179.

Volume No. 1206 Page 5

Worship Attendance

4/1/2012 134

4/8/2012 200

4/15/2012 82

4/22/2012 80

4/29/2012 118

Weekly Average 123

YTD Total 1989

Weekly Average 111

Income for April: $30,194 Income YTD: $92,403

Expenses for April: $20,324 Expenses YTD: $95,982

Net Gain for April: $9,870 Net Loss YTD: ($3,579)

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

www.elca.org/global-links Through the benevolence we pay to the

ELCA we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is now

available on the “For Members” page of our website, so you

can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the

world for Christ.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

First of all I want to thank all of you for your support of

our church and the Church Council this year. We have gone

through many changes in the first part of 2012 and we will

continue to have changes as we move forward in 2012 and

beyond.

I have seen great things happening here over the past few

months including new and exciting fellowship opportunities.

We have also seen many new visitors and many old friends

who have been away for a while. This is an indication we are

moving in a positive direction. This has been a group effort

and I feel fortunate to be part of it.

As we continue this year, it is critical that we keep a

positive attitude towards our life here at Lord of Life. I also

want to extend an offer to everyone. If you want to get more

involved please let the office or the Church Council know.

We would love to have more people involved in the activities

we are doing here. With more involvement we can do more

meaningful things. Among other things that will be

happening this year, we will be forming a call committee later

in the year.

Remember the Church Council meets every second

Thursday of the month at 7 pm and everyone is welcome to

attend these meetings and the minutes are available for your

review.

In closing, I feel a very positive atmosphere at the church

and as we continue to move forward, I think things will

continue to move in a positive direction.

Thanks again,

Mike Brown, Council President

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR COMMITTEES:

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

I tend to think of the Congregational Life ministries as either

social ministries or supporting ministries for members of our

congregation. Last month featured a wonderful article on

Stephen Ministries – what is involved to become a Stephen

Minister and how Stephen Ministers can support you and our

congregation. This month we’re featuring our Prayer Chain

Ministry.

We have a wonderful group of prayer warriors led by Gayle

Covington. Gayle receives prayer requests from the Connection

cards, from emails sent to her, and from the church office and

Pastor Watt when someone contacts them asking for our

prayers. Gayle then sends that information out to the

members of Prayer Chain via email. Any information shared

with the Prayer Chain is kept strictly confidential. Generally

these prayer requests are for urgent, acute needs and the

Prayer Chain keeps them in their prayers for 30 days.

However, they also typically continue to keep our shut-ins and

other long-term requests in their prayers.

We would love to have you be a part of the Prayer Chain.

If you’d like to join the Prayer Chain, or have a prayer

request, please indicate that on the Connection cards, contact

Gayle Covington, or contact the church office or Pastor Watt.

CONGRATULATIONS!

This past spring, church member Gilbert “Gib” Prather

achieved his 200th winning game as a head coach for

high-school boys' baseball. Congratulations not only for

reaching this goal, but also for the positive impact you have

on the lives of so many young persons!

On Pentecost Sunday, May 27th, Madeline Patricia Smith

affirmed her baptism. She is the daughter of Tim and Diane

Smith, and has just finished her freshman year at Round

Rock High School. Earlier last month, she was pinned as a

RRHS Dragonette. Madeline enjoys dancing, watching

movies, and listening to music. May God continue to be with

you as you assume more responsibility for your faith journey!

WELCOME!

On Sunday, May 27th, Alan & Susan Breyer and Dan &

Jennifer Rosas were received into membership at Lord of

Life. Alan is a retired engineer and Susan is a retired educator;

they live in Avery Park. Dan and Jennifer live in Cedar Park;

he is employed at the University of Texas, while she is

employed at Concordia University. To all of you, welcome!

Boy Scouts of America

at Lord of Life Lutheran Church

In September of 2008, Cub Scout Pack 150 was created by John Torres. Shortly after creation, Lord of Life Lutheran

Church agreed to sponsor the pack by becoming its Chartered Organization. Pack 150 represented 3 local elementary schools in

the Leander ISD: Rutledge Elementary, Cox Elementary, and Reagan Elementary. That first year the pack was able to recruit

about a dozen scouts that became the founders of Pack 150.

Over the next couple of years the pack continued to more than

double in size till it reached over 100 scouts briefly in the fall of

2011.

In October of 2011, the older Webelos II scouts started a new

adventure by crossing over to Boy Scouts and by starting a new

Troop, Troop 150. Troop 150, also chartered by the Lord of

Life Lutheran Church, is being founded by several of the same

scouts that founded Pack 150. In the spring of 2012, the pack

had 85 scouts from 7 different schools. As a result of this suc-

cess, the pack leadership decided it was in the best interest of

the scouts to split the pack and shortly after Lord of Life

Lutheran Church agreed to charter Pack 1501. Pack 1501 is

now in its first month of existence and is mostly made up of

scouts from Reagan Elementary and currently has over 20

scouts.

Since Pack 150 was created, it has earned the awards of Cen-

tennial Quality Unit Award, Scouting’s Journey to Excellence –

Gold Level, and the National Summertime Pack Award. In

2011, Pack 150 had the honor of being voted the 2011 North-

shore District Pack of the Year based on the service projects

that the scouts participated in and pack leadership. If you

would like more information about the Packs or the Troop,

please contact Pack 150 Committee Chairman, James Ewald at

[email protected] or by phone at 512-773-2188.

You can also visit Pack 150’s website at www.scoutpack150.org.

Page 6 Life-Lines

Come join us for another Beth Moore Bible Study Live!

We will have carpools leaving Lord of Life each day.

July 13-14, 2012 Cost: $65.00

Cedar Park Center

2100 Avenue of the Stars

Cedar Park - Austin Area, TX 78613

Sizzling Summer Job Search Tips by Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert

Six Summer Job Search Tips:

Capitalize on Seasonal Events: "Summer is a terrific time to network," says Terwelp. "There are

festivals, barbeques, weddings and other gatherings that can be a perfect time to connect."

Fortgang says that using personal and social gatherings to let people know you are looking

is an excellent strategy.

Don't Get Discouraged: Summer vacations may make reaching the right people more challenging, but don't use this as a reason

to back off, Fortgang says. "Be patient and consistent, leave polite messages and continue due diligence," she says. Keep

in mind that receptionists and other gatekeepers take vacations, too. "You might connect with that otherwise hard-to-

reach hiring manager while your competitors are lolling around waiting until September," says Ditta.

Keep a Job Search Schedule: Yes, it's summer, but don't be lulled into laziness. "Even if it is just an hour a day, put structure

in place to keep you going,” says Fortgang.

Build a Network: "Form a group of like-minded job seekers to keep your summer job search on track," Fortgang suggests.

Meet regularly to share information on who's hiring. A job opportunity not right for you may be perfect for someone in

your network, and vice versa.

Take Stock of Your Resume and Skills: Summer is the perfect time to assess and update your resume and skills. "Review your

resume and add any new accomplishments or training," Terwelp says. Also, brush up on any skills that may be lagging.

"Take a class or two in the summer. Not only will you be improving your skills, but you can network with your class-

mates."

Get Outside: Warm weather is the prime time for outdoor home improvement projects, and by helping your neighbors you can

help your career at the same time. Walk around your neighborhood and offer to give someone a hand. While you're help-

ing that neighbor, you can share that you're job hunting and tap into someone else's network. "This can lead to more con-

nections, informational interviews and maybe even a new job," says Terwelp.

Page 7 Volume No. 1206

Worship Leaders for June 2012

JUNE 3, 2012 Trinity Sunday Color: White

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Marilee Parsons

Lector/Petitioner: Mindy Penland Communion Assistant: Shari Willenborg

Acolyte: Raina Parsons Media Assistant: Chuck Neeley

Bread: The Weston Family

Altar Guild: John & Patti Kassel

Ushers: Horace & Nell Pennington, Robert & Linda Lane

Tellers: Chuck Neeley, Barry Kincart Flowers: Chuck & Julia Neeley, in honor of Amy’s Birthday.

JUNE 10, 2012 Time after Pentecost Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Diane Smith

Lector/Petitioner: Dick Fink Communion Assistant: Deb Grunska

Acolyte: Callie Prather Media Assistant: Barry Kincart

Bread: Dee Smith

Altar Guild: Cindy Wilks

Ushers: Horace & Nell Pennington, Robert & Linda Lane

Tellers: Chuck Neeley, Barry Kincart Flowers: From the Bell Choir, in honor of Austin Thomas Eckermann.

JUNE 17, 2012 Time after Pentecost Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Mindy Penland

Lector/Petitioner: Mike Petry Communion Assistant: Gayle Covington

Acolyte: Avery Willenborg Media Assistant: Dick Fink

Altar Guild: Tim, Diane, & Natalie Smith

Ushers: David & Erica Smith, Mike Petry, Barry Kincart

Tellers: Chuck Neeley, Barry Kincart Flowers: Robert & Linda Lane, in honor of their Anniversary.

JUNE 24, 2012 John the Baptist Sunday Color: White

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: John Paul Crawford

Lector/Petitioner: Deb Grunska Communion Assistant: Dorothy Crawford

Acolyte: Lauren Brown Media Assistant: Lloyd Haskins

Bread: Deb Grunska

Altar Guild: Deb Grunska, John & Pattie Kassel

Ushers: David & Erica Smith, Mike Petry, Barry Kincart

Tellers: Chuck Neeley, Barry Kincart Flowers: Jim Tarsi, in honor of his 22nd Anniversary.

June 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3

Summer Schedule

9:00 Pre-service

Fellowship

9:30 Summer

Combined Service

10:30 Interim

Ministry Report

4

5

10:30am

Kindred Sisters

6

6:30pm

Beth Moore

Bible Study

7

7:00pm

Finance

Committee

Meeting

8

9

10

Eckermann

Baptism

9:00 Pre-service

Fellowship

9:30 Summer

Combined Service

11

VBS 9-12

12

VBS 9-12

7:15pm

Book Club

13

VBS 9-12

6:30pm

Beth Moore

Bible Study

14

VBS 9-12

7:00pm

Church Council

Meeting

15

VBS 9-12

16

17

Father’s Day

9:00 Pre-service

Fellowship

9:30 Summer

Combined Service

18

6:30pm

JSM Meeting

19

10:00am

Game Day

7:15pm

Book Club

20

6:30pm

Beth Moore

Bible Study

21

22

Fellowship

Retreat

23

Fellowship

Retreat

10:00am

Cooking Club

24

Fellowship

Retreat

9:00 Pre-service

Fellowship

9:30 Summer

Combined Service

25

26 27

6:30pm

Beth Moore

Bible Study

28 29 30

Life-Lines Page 8