ISLAND TIDES
MARCH 2009
Pastor's Message
CHRIST OUR HOPE
As we enter the month of March we have just begun the journey of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25th. We have heard and spoken the familiar words from the Prophet Joel: “Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (2:13).
This year we face the heavy burden of a severe recession plus an increase in unemployment, and we realize how fragile our lives really are. When we take an honest look at ourselves, we are also confronted with our shortcomings and sin. We need a word of hope coming from outside ourselves.
Author and spiritual director Henri J.M. Nouwen, who died in 1996, offers a word of hope that is as relevant today as it was when first written. In Psalm 51:1 we confess, “Have mercy on me, O God …..”
“God’s mercy is greater than our sins. There is an awareness of sin that does not lead to God but to self-preoccupation. Our temptation is to be so impressed by our sins and failings and so overwhelmed by our lack of generosity that we get stuck in a paralyzing guilt. It is the guilt that says: “I am too sinful to deserve God’s mercy.” It is the guilt that leads to introspection instead of directing our eyes to God. It is the guilt that has become an idol and therefore a form of pride.
“Lent is the time to break down this idol and to direct our attention to our loving Lord. The question is: “Are we like Judas, who was so overcome by his sin that he could not believe in God’s mercy any longer and hanged himself, or are we like Peter who returned to his Lord with repentance and cried bitterly for his sins?”
“The season of Lent, during which winter and spring struggle with each other for dominance, helps us in a special way to cry out for God’s mercy.” Lord, cleanse me of my hard-heartedness. Help me embrace Your infinite mercy and love in my life.
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President's Message
Observations and Comments
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference"
2009 is starting out to be an even tougher year than 2008. This not only
applies to all of us individually but also Island Lutheran. Our church attendance
is up by 20+ per Sunday due to Pastor Dan's
fine sermons and upbeat personality. However, we are missing our
contribution goal by over $1,000 per Sunday. If this were to continue
our spring congregation meeting will have to focus on where we can cut
our operating costs to maintain the long term viability of the church.
I want to thank the youth and their parents for another first class
Valentines dinner. The food was wonderful and Steve White's music
was perfect for the evening. Don't forget to give donations and
attend another youth event - the yard sale in March.
Please keep our beloved church in your prayers as we continue to
bounce back from a couple of tough years
God's Blessings to all of you.
Bart
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in
Him, so that you may overflow with hope"
Romans 15:13 NIV
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March 29, 2009 has been designated as ABLAZE! Miracle Sunday.
This will be our last chance to participate in ABLAZE. More information will be
provided through bulletin inserts starting March 1st.
- The Stewardship Board
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A MESSAGE FROM THE LWML
“Christian Education” Such a simple phrase; one we use and often hear. Our children go to Bible or Sunday school and get a “Christian Education” Some churches have schools where our children learn their ABC’s plus a “Christian Education”. We know how important it is for our children to learn of Jesus, His love and His gift of salvation. We take them to Sunday school, to church and teach them their prayers and read them Bible stories. Planting the seeds for their faith and teaching them of God’s love is part of a Christian family life.
In Thailand our church is dong the very same thing. They have a Christian Center where children stay while they are attending government schools that provide education beyond the 5th or 6th grade. They come from outlying areas where the Thailand government provides elementary education in the villages but nothing beyond that unless they go to the city. The Christian Center gives the children shelter, meals, supervision and “Christian Education” in a country that is 95% Buddhist. The children spend their week days at the Center and then return to their homes on weekend where they spread “ The Word” of Jesus to family and friends or go to neighboring villages on mission projects.
There are two dormitories’ at the Center one for girls, one for boys. They provide shelter for the students, a room and a place to study, however a bed is considered a luxury. The children just sleep on the floor. LWML would like, with your help, to provide beds for the Center. Each bed costs approximately $26. For around $600.00 the rooms could be furnished with simple platform beds. And additional funds collected will go toward a roof on the girls dormitory which is about to collapse. Won’t you help?
In the lobby, under the “Beds for Christ” poster is a wooden box for contributions. Checks should be made payable to LWML. If you have any questions call Elaine at 681-6378.
Mark 4:8 But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants grew and produced thirty or sixty or even a hundred times as much as was scattered.
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Spreading God’s Word
The Gideons International gives thanks to God for those of you at Island Lutheran who contributed $1,144 (including supplemental funds from Thrivent Financial) to distribute God’s Word in the world. Your assistance in this ministry will provide 229 Bibles or 789 Testaments to spread the Gospel to unsaved souls.
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PARENTS/YOUTH--Sunday School Review
For those parents who are willing to sit down and listen to what their
child learned in
Sunday School today, we print here the lessons for March, taught at each
grade level:
March 1, JESUS CALMS THE STORM Mark 4:35-41 & James 1:12-18
March 8, JESUS WALKS ON WATER Matthew 14:22-33
March 15, JESUS CLEARS THE TEMPLE John 2:13-22
March 22, THE WIDOW'S MITE Mark 12-11-44
March 29, JESUS AND ZACCHAEUS Luke 19:1-10
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WHO'S GOING TO THE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL HOUR???
Everybody? No, not all our adult members. However, we've seen an
increase in attendance in Graudin Hall at ten o'clock, when that Bible
Study begins. Why? I'll tell you in a minute. But here are the
numbers--average attendance by the month--Sept. 23, Oct. 26, Nov. 32, Dec.
35, Jan. 39, Feb.42. The resaon? We have a great teacher, leading the study of
an outstanding Gospel writer. Yes, Pastor Dan "brings to life" the episodes
which God inspired St. Mark to write. Join the crowd next Sunday. You will be
graciously blessed!
_ Board of Education
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YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS ARE GROWING UP WHEN...
Some wise soul said the days with preschoolers drag by, but the years fly
by. Boy, how they flew by.
My husband and I know our sons are growing up because:
1. We haven't been to the emergency room in four months.
2. Our boys say please and thank you without being reminded.
3. They almost always flush.
4. We can take a shower in privacy from beginning to end--with our sons in
the house---awake.
5. They remind us when it's time to pray.
6. They want to hear stories about when they were "little".
7. They can keep a secret when Dad probes.''What did you get me for my
birthday?"
8. They wait for a pause in our conversation before interjecting some
salient point. (Mom, do spiders have six or eight legs?)
9. Their night light burned out and they haven't asked for a replacement.
10. They telephone their friends and do more than just breathe.
11. We find "God Loves You" notes in little boy's handwriting, and we hear
voices singing, "Jesus, Name above All Names" from the next room.
We realize that, though our work is not yet done, by God's grace much
has already been accomplished. And all we can do is sit back and
marvel.
- Lynn Bowen Walker, "Humor for a Woman's Heart"
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AN 8 YEAR-OLD'S EXPLANATION OF GOD
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the
ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth.
He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and
easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching
them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'
'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of
this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside
bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this.
Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears,
unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'
'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps
Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and
dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'
'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any
in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'
'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on
water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to
learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they
crucified him. But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father
that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said
O.K.'
'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard
work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He
could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to
prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which
ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary,
only more important.'
'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they
got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'
'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and
if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to
the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach
until noon anyway.'
'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very
lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God
can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when
you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'
'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I
figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And...that's why I believe in God.'
This was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well? Also, he had such an assignment, in California , and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen !
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Singing with the Lutherans
I have made fun of Lutherans for years - who wouldn't if you lived in
Minnesota? But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one of the
main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh sweet corn. We make
fun of Lutherans for their blandness, their excessive calm, their
fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret
fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you
ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Lutheranless place, to
sing along on the chorus of Michael Row the Boat Ashore, they will
look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their
underwear.
But if you do this among Lutherans they¹ll smile and row that boat
ashore and up on the beach! And down the road! Lutherans are bred
from childhood to sing in four-part harmony. It's a talent that comes
from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and
hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against
that persons rib cage.
It's natural for Lutherans to sing in harmony. We're too modest to be
soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the
key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred
of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment. I once sang the bass
line of Children of the Heavenly Father in a room with about three
thousand Lutherans in it; and when we finished, we all had tears in
our eyes, partly from the promise that God will not forsake us,
partly from the proximity of all those lovely voices.
By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not
forsake each other.
I do believe this: People, these Lutherans, who love to sing in
four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when
you're in deep distress. If you're dying, they'll comfort you. If
you're lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll
give you tuna salad!
If you laughed while reading this you must be a Lutheran. The
following list was compiled by a 20th century Lutheran who, observing
other Lutherans, wrote down exactly what he saw or heard:
Lutherans believe in prayer but would practically die if asked to
pray out loud Lutherans like to sing except when confronted with a
new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas Lutherans believe
their pastors will visit them in the hospital even if they don't
notify them that they are there.
Lutherans usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is
their way of suffering for their sins.
Lutherans believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially
during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the
plate.
Lutherans feel that applauding for their children¹s choirs would
make them too proud and conceited.
Lutherans think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle
while passing the peace.
Lutherans drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
Some Lutherans still believe that an ELCA bride and an LCMS groom
make for a mixed marriage.
Lutherans feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own
wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Lutherans are willing to pay up to a dollar for a meal at church.
Lutherans think that Garrison Keeler stories are totally factual.
Lutherans still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the
season and think that peas in a tuna noodle casserole adds too much
color.
take themselves too seriously.
And finally, you know when you're a Lutheran when:
You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as
loudly as you can!
It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee
after the service.
Doughnuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
The communion cabinet is open to all, but the coffee cabinet is
locked up tight.
All your relatives graduated from a school named Concordia.
When you watch a "Star Wars" movie and they say, May the Force be
with you, you respond, and also with you.
You actually understand those folks from Lake Wobegon, MN.
And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye.
- Bill Springer
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From the PreSchool
"Happy Birthday to Us!!!! Can you believe Island Lutheran PreSchool is celebrating it's 10th birthday this year???!!! Please join us in wishing the PreSchool a Happy 10th Birthday on Sunday March 29 from 4 - 6 p.m. in Graudin Hall. We will have the children's artwork on display as they study famous artists throughout history. We will also serve appetizers and cake to celebrate. The community is also invited to attend as we plan to have local artists come and present an art workshop for the children. If you wish to help with our celebration, please let me know.
The Pre-School will NOT be serving their annual spaghetti dinner this year , so please join us for our birthday celebration.
Thank you for your prayers and support over the past 10 years and making Island Lutheran PreSchool; a blessing to many children and families of our community.
Deiha Torin, Director
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From the Editor :
A Happy St. Patrick's Day to my Irish friends.
We have so many of our congregation involved in making Island Lutheran Church a thriving and vibrant place. Thank you to our greeters, who meet us with a welcome smile on Sunday morning, to the ushers, choir members, Altar Guild and to the many support groups that take care of church functions, our outreach ministries, and , of course, our pre-school. The staff and leadership of our church that keep us growing and steers us in the direction that Christ wants us to go, all are committed to provide the support we need.
Take time to thank them.
May Christ bless you on your Lenten journey.
Chuck
Chuck Dvorak
843-548-0353