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VOL. XLV, NO.

6 2012

JUNE

When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus, and when were dying, it is in the Lord. Both in our living and in our dying, we belong to God, we belong to God. - based on Romans 14:8; tr. Elise S. Eslinger, We Belong to God, ELW 639 "You come into this world alone, and you leave this world alone." I have come across this sentiment a few times lately, from words spoken to my dying grandfather to the lyrics of a new song by my favorite bluegrass-influenced folk band. I must admit that this phrase does not sit well with me. My own child (whom we call Stormy, in reference to a recent episode of Doctor Who) will be born, God willing, in two short months. Of all the possible circumstances surrounding Stormy's entrance into this world, "alone" is not on the table. I expect to be present, surrounded by competent medical professionals, in a hospital, not at all alone. And that's not to mention Stormy's mother, not only present and, um, intimately involved, but at the moment of birth still attached to Stormy by the cord that has grown her/him all these months. When a person is literally attached to another person by an umbilical cord, I think it is safe to say that is the least alone that person will be in their entire life. On the other end of life's spectrum, many of us will find ourselves dying surrounded by those dearest to us, in the beds of hospitals and hospices, or even in our own homes. Ask anyone who has held the hand of an aging parent as she slipped beyond this life whether that parent died alone. Actually, don't ask that, because it would be patently insulting and disrespectful.

Outside of these clear examples from experience, it is worthwhile to reflect theologically on this notion of alone-ness in times of greatest transition. It seems to me that those who speak of death as fundamentally isolated employ a faux-existential mindset that completely ignores any Christian witness to the fate of the dying. If in Jesus Christ God died for us, was that merely to leave us alone in our own time of death? In suffering and dying as he did, Jesus experienced the worst of human pain and loss. Trusting that Jesus rose to destroy the power of death, we can be assured of God's presence with us in our own times of suffering and even in our own deaths. Ultimately, Scripture and our faith tell us that in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit, God is with us in our times of greatest need. Jesus promised to be with us and to send the Spirit to advocate for us. Certainly birth and death qualify as such times. If Gods presence, were not enough, God sends us to walk with one another in challenging times. The Bible calls on us again and again to care for those in need, to comfort the dying and to provide for the helpless. We, church, are the body of Christ for one another, assured of God's presence with and through us, that even in birth and death, none may be alone. Thanks,
Pastor Andrew

PS Ive taken to signing off on things newsletter articles, emails, and other communications simply by saying, Thanks, not because it is recognizable as an informal closing, but because thankfulness is central to my understanding of who we are as followers of Jesus. Sometimes this Thanks means that I am thankful to the person or people I am writing, and always it means I am thankful for all that God has done for me. I have done so in the article above. What do you think?

-1PULPIT EXCHANGE and BABY SHOWER

On Sunday, June 24th, join Pastor Andrews wife, Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper, for Sunday worship followed by a baby shower for their child, Stormy, due to be born around August 3rd. While Pastor Sarah leads worship that morning at Lutheran Church of the Savior, Pastor Andrew will lead worship at Peace Lutheran in Charlotte, after which he will return to LCS for the baby shower, set to begin around noon. For those who choose to give gifts, the pastors are registered at Target and Babies R Us. + + + + + + + + + + MARIANNE & GARY CARON invite you to join them for a celebration of their marriage on Sat., June 23. The party starts at Noon and ends when the last guest leaves. Food and drinks will be provided. Please bring a swimsuit for boating and swimming. 11597 East D Ave. Richland, MI + + + + + + + + + + THE CARING and SHARING BOOK CLUB will meet every Wednesday at 7:30 PM beginning June 6. If you missed the sign-up you are still welcome to attend. This years book selection is: Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life. It is filled with humorous stories from scripture, churchy jokes, and much more. + + + + + + + + + + THE CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE is being held on Fri., July 6 and Sat., July 7. Clean and working donations may be dropped off at the church during the week during office hours, 10:30 AM 1 PM, staring June 15. We have set June 30th as the cutoff date to drop things off. For pick up needs please call Harold Burgan, 655-4480. + + + + + + + + + + THE MONTHLY HYMN SELECTION MEETING will be held on Sun., June 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the library/meeting room. See or call Deb Rafferty if you have any questions regarding the hymn selection process LCS CHURCH SUPPER Fri., June 29

Lutheran Church of the Savior serves dinners on the last Friday of each month. Serving time is from 56:30 p.m. Invite your family, friends, and your neighbors for an evening of fellowship and delicious food!! The menu for this month is to be announced. The cost is: adults/ $8 - children under 10/$4 Proceeds are designated for the general church budget. Please Note: In order to plan for the amount of food needed (and nothing is wasted), you are encouraged to purchase your tickets in advance or make reservations. Tickets may be purchased on Sunday mornings.Take out orders are welcome for neighbors, friends, or relatives Volunteers are always needed for these meals for either set up, serving, or clean up. If you are interested please contact Linda Burgan: 342-9249 + + + + + + + + + + PROPERTY A sign-up has been posted on the kiosk for volunteers to help with the mowing and watering of flowers. Please consider helping out with either of these projects in order to keep the church grounds looking beautiful this summer. + + + + + + + + + + FREE STORE MISSION TRIP Saturday June 23rd to Wednesday June 27th, join our sisters and brothers from Sunnyside UMC and our other Free Store partners on a transformative mission trip to Columbus Ohio this summer! Estimated costs will likely remain around $200 (including travel) - please do not let costs be prohibitive. There are funds available to support all participants. Applications are available at Sunnyside, or call there for more information at (269) 349-3047. A $50 registration fee is due with your application by Sunday, April 22nd. Please consider this great opportunity.

-2ATTENDANCE for: May 6 80

May May May

13 20 27

90 67 57 Designated 340.22 138.00 338.00 161.67

OFFERING for: General May 6 2,947.50 May 13 3,788.95 May 20 3,755.90 May 27 3,100.30

Common Cents: May = $15.08 Total to date = $180.11 + + + + + + + + + + CELEBRATING a JUNE BIRTHDAY: 01 Jean Fawley 02 Sarah Wright 04 Chet Hills, Dee Ridderbos 05 Joe Gleesing 07 Kenn Livingston 08 MonaLisa Sevo 09 Mark Schmidt 11 Kevin Kenz 12 Dianne Mann, Linda Woolsey 14 Ernie Roberts 15 Char Gleesing 16 Karen Warwick 20 Jim Landfair 21 June Austin 28 Karine Carls CELEBRATING a JUNE ANNIVERSARY: 02 Kelly and Carole Davis 03 Jim and Lois Slaughter 07 Al and Berniece Buck, 60th 10 Mike and Jane Kemper 13 John and Julie McMullen, 20th 15 Russ and Kathy Minehart 24 Chuck and Sue Whitfield 26 Jim and Kay Landfair + + + + + + + + + + PRAYERS are being offered to: . . . . the sick, those awaiting treatment, those hospitalized and those recuperating: Joe Powells father, Stan; Dave Raffertys sister-in-law, Elaine;

Sarah Wright; Tom and Joy Kuhs daughter, Darcy; Barb Hoggs sister-in-law, Kathy; Kathy Mineharts niece, Stephanie; Glenora Perezs friend, Barb Foster; Emalynne Flickinger; Jane Secors little friend, Tucker and her godson, Lee Drexler; Jane Bradshaw; Wilma Cools niece, Bonitta; Carol and Jerry Malmud; Tom Olivers sister, Sharilyn; Jean Fawley; Joan Ulmers sister, Carolyn; Russ Minehart; . . . . our elderly and home bound members or nursing home residents: Ken and Helen Sweet; Marti Gates; Mae Hoffmann; Gene Carver; Franz Metzger

The Prayer Chain is led by Martie Gates. To


have your prayer concerns placed on the Prayer Chain please call Martie at 623-3970, or the church office at 342-0069. For members who are not currently on the email prayer chain and would like to be kept updated on prayers of the congregation please email Kip Bodine at kipppob@yahoo.com. Prayer concerns can also be directed to the Prayer Fellowship Group, led by Joan Ulmer and Richard Dinda. The Prayer Group meets following worship on the first & third Sunday of the month for usually less than an hour. During this time they share with one another the prayer requests received on the pew cards from worshippers as well as any other concerns they have become aware of. Anyone wishing to be a part of this ministry is welcome to attend these prayer meetings. Direct questions to Joan (382-0871). + + + + + + + + + + A TELEPHONE TREE has been formed by the Congregational Care committee to keep members of our congregation more informed. This is not to be used as a prayer chain but to let people know about deaths, funeral information, etc. Any information needs to be called into the church office or the church cell number. CHURCH OFFICE: 342-0069 CHURCH CELL: 250-0521 + + + + + + + + + + -3-

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