braving the wilderness - resurrection lutheran church · work on belonging and courage, braving the...
TRANSCRIPT
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November 2018
Resurrection Lutheran Church and School
6170 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Website: ResurrectionPeople.org
Core Office Hours: M–F 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Belonging, Bartimaeus and community -- Mark 10:46-52
The one who sees nothing risks everything to be noticed by the one who
sees everything. Bartimaeus raises his voice from the side of the road,
from the margins of society. He cries out again and again, “Jesus, son of
David, have mercy on me!” Louder. Louder. Louder.
This concludes our 7-week “Be…” series based on the discipleship scriptures in Mark 8-10.1 Alongside the Markan scriptures we’ve placed Dr. Brene Brown’s latest work on belonging and courage, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” and the practices that go with it. This week in particular I reference the last practice of “Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart.”
Jesus is “on the way” and has been since chapter 8. It is the eve of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and he prepares to make that final turn to Jerusalem, to the cross and resurrection. But before he does, there is on more healing to be done and that is Bartimaeus.
Staff
Pastor
Heidi Moore 540-786-7778
Office Staff 540-786-7778
Stephanie Anderson
Donna Roberts
Music Ministry Leader
Amy Burcher 540-368-2557
Youth Activities Director
Pastor Heidi Moore 540-786-7778
Preschool Director
Brandalee Cooper 540-786-7778
Preschool Staff
Megan Snell – Teacher
Melissa Headley – Teacher
Carrol Martin - Teacher
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As we embark on “Belong” we talk about the one who didn’t belong, the one who has been pushed to the edge, devalued and told to shut up.
He just won’t shut up. And the more the disciples try to shush him, the louder he gets. Bartimaeus understands what it means to be vulnerable.
His life is filled with uncertainty. He is s a beggar. He owns one possession – his cloak. He doesn’t know where or when his next meal will be. He is blind.
The one who sees nothing risks everything to be noticed by the one who sees everything. Bartimaeus raises his voice from the side of the road, from the margins of society. He cries out again and again, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Louder. Louder. Louder.
Enormous emotional exposure comes with risk taking2, especially for Bar-Timaeus, this son of honor. The name Timaeus means honor. In the 1st century, honor is synonymous with value. This risk could leave him even more devalued and dehumanized and excluded.
With courage, Bartimaeus yells louder. In his desperation, he no longer cares what people think. He ignores the harsh and ugly commands to be quiet. Bartimaeus has a strong back.3
Jesus hears Bartimaeus’ voice cutting through the cacophony.
And he stops. Stands still. Jesus hears Bartimaeus through the chaos. Jesus hears us too through the chaos and cacophony.
Jesus says call him here.
Yes, Jesus could have walked over to him. Jesus makes a point: those who excluded Bartimaeus now are told to include him. Jesus tells us to include the excluded, to hear the voices that are being silenced.
Take heart, get up, he is calling you.
Casting aside the only thing he owns, blind Bartimaeus runs head long through the crowd, not waiting for the disciples to guide him. Now is his chance! He pushes people out of the way. He didn’t know how this encounter was going to go, but he willingly showed up – Bartimaeus has a soft front.4
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And that wild heart? It’s showing up in vulnerability and courage. It is being both/and. It is living into the paradox that is love. It’s made possible by having a front made of love and a back made of courage.5
Bartimaeus is experiencing transformation. His faith is already making him well. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “what do you want from me?”
This is the savior of the world. We know Jesus knows but Jesus doesn’t assume. It is about empowerment. By asking one question Jesus empowers Bartimaeus to participate in his own healing, to once again feel the value that every human being feels.
“Let me see again.” Or “let me lift my eyes up.”
Beggars sat by the road, blind people were considered sinners, punished by God. No one wanted them around. Blind beggars have no community.
At the heart of the request is Bartimaeus is the longing to be a part of a community again.
Go. Your faith has made you well. Return to your community.
Not come and follow, I healed you, you owe me.
But Go. Your faith has made you well. Jesus describes the event as emanating from Bartimaeus’ “audacious, humble and open-hearted faith.” 6
We read this scripture as we celebrate the 501st anniversary of the Reformation.
Luther saw first hand those who were excluded by the 16th century church – precious children of God. They couldn’t pay the indulgences. They were not permitted to receive the cup. Even the language was exclusionary; they couldn’t read much less understand the Latin.
Martin Luther embarked on empowering people as he insisted that all people be able to sip the wine of salvation and not just the bread. Most importantly that they heard God’s word in a language that they could understand.
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Luther struggled with having enough faith only to discover that he did, just like Bartimaeus. Luther rediscovered faith, a precious gift that only the Holy Spirit gives and comes with promises of absolute and complete acceptance and unconditional love.
Faith is lived in community. The promises are received in community. Total inclusion. All means all.
We need to hear again and again that we are loved and accepted – no exclusions. All means all.
500 years later, hear a voice cutting through the cacophony of voices that tell us that we aren’t enough and never will be. Just as God spoke through the voices of various prophets of old, Jesus,
Rising through the chaos of the worst crime against our Jewish brothers and sisters in the history of the United States, a young gay man finally laid to rest 20 years after his death because his parents wanted his grave to be safe from desecration, military force being used against a caravan of people fleeing from abject poverty and violence in Central America hear a voice.
Hear the voice of Jesus speaking through another as she proclaims, “This church belongs to all of us.”
Be you. Jesus loved Bartimaeus and Jesus loves us just as we are.
Be here. Bartimaeus joins the rest of the disciples as they go along the way to Jerusalem, a fully functioning member of the community. We too, are called to be fully present and part of the worshiping community that we call RLC.
Belong. Jesus didn’t send Bartimaeus away but welcomed him into the band of disciples. Jesus bids us also to welcome all – because all means all – to our table and into our hearts. True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are, it requires us to BE who we are7, following Jesus along the way.
Blessings,
Pastor Heidi
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Property - Capital Campaign Update - 2018
Narthex: Soon, (hopefully before Christmas), will replace the ceiling and lights in the
Narthex. Along with this we will reroute the water lines (currently in the unheated
attic) that provide water to the new building. In addition, we will run a water line to
the sacristy and also improve the condensation drains from the heating/cooling
systems in the attic. These lines were subject to freezing so rerouting them into
heated space makes sense.
Sanctuary: In early 2019 work will begin on modernizing the Sanctuary and the plan is
to have that complete by Easter (Sunday April 21, 2019). This will involve a lot of work.
Cleaning ductwork, painting the ceiling, removing and reinstalling the pews,
refinishing/re-carpeting the floor, painting walls, electrical/audio visual improvements,
etc.
HVAC Systems: There are many systems at Resurrection that heat and cool the
complex. Some of these systems are near their end of service life and will need
replacement. The Property Committee anticipates that the HVAC units in the attic
above the Narthex will be replaced in 2019.
Replacement Reserve Report/Study: What is this and why? It is a study that provides
the church with an inventory of the common community facilities and infrastructure
components (valued at $1,000 or more) that require periodic replacement. It
provides a general view of the condition of these components and it provides an
effective financial plan to fund projected periodic replacements over the next 40
years.
Miller Dodson of Annapolis, MD was selected as our contractor to prepare this report
for us. In August the contractor evaluated the infrastructure of RLC and prepared a
detailed draft report that the Property Committee is evaluating and will receive the
final report shortly. The final report will be made available to all and there will be a
presentation on the report in early 2019.
Fortunately, the draft report confirms that RLC is focusing on the correct
replacements for the beginning of our Capital Campaign. However, the reserve
study also advises that we focus on a parking lot repair effort and replacement of the
front door exterior canopy in the near future.
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Are you planning to spend the holidays alone?
Do you know of someone in our congregation who might be alone for Thanksgiving Day or
Christmas Day? While we all agree that holidays are best shared with family, in these days of
families spread out at great distances, some members might not be able to gather with their
family for a special day. The Hospitality Team would like to assist those who might be debating
roasting a turkey for one (or two)! If this might be of interest to you, either as a host or as a guest,
please see the “Holiday Gathering” sign-up sheet in the narthex. If there is an interest, we will
meet to discuss and decide on a plan.
Music News Dear RLC Family and Friends, As November arrives, we start our month with our "All Saints" service which also happens to be "day light savings time" that day. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, our choirs are busy rehearsing our Christmas Cantata which will be presented on our first Sunday in the season of Advent. Each year, as the feel of winter takes hold and covers our days with moments of silent wonder, we are called to "reflection." The beautiful Christmas hymn "I Wonder As I Wander" is a favorite of mine and has been on my mind this week, and it has inspired me to think and pray about how to prepare music with the "heart" of worship for our services. With more opportunities to come together with holiday gatherings and added worship services, we light our candles of hope in the beginning of Advent. We read the ancient words about Christ entering the world as a baby and sing the jubilant hymns about peace and love. The cantata choir will present "Sing a Song of Christmas," telling the story of Christmas using music and narration of scriptures and prayers on December 2nd at our 10:00 service. My prayer for all of us is that while singing our beloved hymns, we may allow ourselves to put away all of life's burdens and distractions to find moments of peace and joy through song. May you capture the warmth and sparkle of Christmas and be awakened to truth, as well as the mystery and miracle of our true gift. That gift is "grace".....and it came wrapped in a baby named Jesus! Invite your family and friends to join us in about 4 weeks to hear this cantata, enjoy some lunch, make ornaments, and decorate. I look forward to sharing in song together as we enter this new season. Love, Amy
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October at RLC in pictures
Oktoberfest
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Pet Blessing
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New Roof over the Sanctuary
Sight and Sound Theater
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“Jesus Live”
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Trunk or Treat Winning Trunk!
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Thank you to
everyone who
submitted pictures
from all the events
in October.
More pictures are
available on our
Facebook page.
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Preschool News
The Preschool welcomed Fall with several activities In October. The beginning of the month started
with a field trip to Round Hill Farm. The pictures below highlight the fun – pumpkins, a hay ride and
the corn box! The corn box was a school favorite – so much so that Ms. Melissa and Ms. Megan
switched their sensory table fillers to corn the following week!
The 2-day class hosted a Parent’s Morning where parents attended class and participated with their
student. The parents helped their child with crafts, play in different centers and with classroom jobs.
The month ended with an invitation to participate in the RLC Trunk or Treat. Several families enjoyed
the hot dog bar, crafts, games and, of course, visiting all of the decorated trunks!
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NIFTY AFTER FIFTY (NAF) LUNCHEON
Tuesday, November 13th at 12 Noon
Place: Durango Grill
4256 Plank Road
Fredericksburg, VA
(540) 322-1552
Menu: See Bulletin Board. You can order from the menu including lunchtime
meals and sandwiches.
Directions: Durango Grill is located in the former UKROP shopping center, just off
Route 3.
Please sign up at the NAF bulletin board no later than November 8th.
Sue Merna and Emily Slunt, Host
Theology Pub November 18
BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse
Central Park
6:00 p.m.
Come be a part of this low-key fellowship that enjoys conversation,
questions, and the occasional cold one! For more information contact
Bob & Terri Kuckuck
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Church Office Requests Please call the Church Office at 540-
786-7778 when:
You are in the hospital or
prior to going to the
hospital. A relative may
call for you but in order
for the pastor to visit the
hospital, permission must
be given for the church
to be notified.
You are confined to your
home for an extended
period of time because
of illness or accident;
You are going to a
rehab center or a
nursing home;
There is a change in your
family status (birth,
death, marriage, or
divorce);
You move to a new
home, move out of the
area, go away to
college or graduate
school, or join the
military;
You would like to
schedule a meeting or
event at the church. For
communication with
everyone, all scheduled
gatherings must be
included on the church
calendar.
In Our Hearts and Prayers Members: Sue Perdue, Marion & Frank Jacobeen, Betty Parde, Mary Grace Niemi, Shevawn & Paul
McIntire, Virginia Shkrlac, Hazel Riedl, Carol Cappozzi, Julie Young, Hope Hall, Leah Lauderback,
Leslie Stalker, Bill & Joy Bushman, Sharon Rose, Tom Strentz, Wanda LaRue, Ginger Gearhart,
Kathleen Lisagor, Cheryl Huntington, Barbara Lee, Nancy Downie, Ingrid Allard, Dorothy Vernon,
Terri Evers, Joanbeth Millikin, Dee Tillman, Bryce Downie, Jack Morisak, Spike & Donna Roberts,
Chris Brunjes, Kelli Slunt, Art Sohlke, Marti Martin, Shannon Broden, Joy Kerley, Tammy Campbell,
Nathan Moore, Chris Sefchick, Ann Lamphere
Military: Chris Griffiths, Tony Jenkins, George Winters, Christian Jenkins, Greg McIntire, Nick
McIntire, Terri Piekosz, Brittany Patterson, Leah Lauderback, Aric Roberts, Christopher Harold, Josie
Lyons, Drew Meeker, Jessica Meisinger, Tobias Peckhaus, Garrett Lipscomb
Friends and Families (Short Term): Cliff Hughes, Family of Debbie Cooley, Family of Tom Baker
Friends and Families (Long Term): Nia Jones, Art Franco, Carole Downie, Karen Howard, Ray
Williams & Family, Joy Morgan, Mark Fenton, Dawn Shifflett, Ron Davis, Jesus and Jennel Vidal,
Dave Meilstrup, Danielson Family, Hollyanne Robinson, Tim Compton, Val Ellis, Jones Family, Rae
Stevenson, Andrew Schelske, Ann Sutton, Dwayne Boyd, Florio Family, Karen Anthony, Laura Barth,
Johnson Family, Babb Family, Chris Grimley, Dave McCracken, Rae Stevenson, Carrie Wyatt, Our
Nation, Cristy Curtis, Mary Anne Schneider, Andrew Lyman, Lois Culler, Barbara Smith, Kathy Nick,
Mike Kish, Pastor Carl McKenzie, Karen Nich, Thomas Barr, Debbie Betts, Daniel Askin, Gloria
Melillo, Mary Jane Spiers, Bill & Mary, Holland Family, Larry Budd, Donald Hair, Donna Straka,
Claren Henderson, Jane Gearhart, Zoe & Cody Jones, Mark Suplicki, Joy, Kathy Bennett, Willow
Hahn, Katie Hawley, Joyce Huffer, Linley Mullins, Brad Johnson, Tom Baker, Jan Gray, Katherine
Faith Evans, Ernie Lehr, Sonya Humphrey, Doris Ann Bradburn, Leo Bradburn, Steve Benton, Carol
Ways, Benny Vanhoose, Jeff Temples, Jennifer Walker, Millie Edwards, Baby Sebastian, Peggy
Stubbs, Noelle Holland, Becky Kirk, Debbie Betts, Nixon Family, Cheryl LaRue Mead, Diana,
Michelle Simones, Lori Carey, Mark Igoe, Craft family, Renee Douglas, Paul Weifenbach, Elkins
Family, John Zienka, Austin Mueller, Laura Ridgeway, Kathleen Sullivan, Janice Marks, Ann Moore,
Jim Hennessy, Tom Yuneman, Myra Bannon, Nancy Wessel, Benjamin Allan, Mark Hoover, Tracy
Slagenhaupt, Alan & Nancy Johnson, Maryann Adkins, Austin Mueller, Richard Slosson, Sheri
Wittnebel, Betty Sue Rose, Page Painter, Mark Sprenkle, Judi Camaione, Paula Kaplan, Carmen
Mims, Christopher Girouard, Sue Gardner, Fred Pupke, Tim Clawson, Nemanic Family, Clarence
Henderson, Zachary Williamson, Marlene Jazz, Marty Buckley, Scott Pollock, Glenna Lee, Dunn
Family, Ursual Spoddig, Marguerite and Mike Dwyer, Scott Pollock, David LaRue, Bob Wilcox,
Family of Bill White, Sharon, Jim Spencer, Sean, Mary Stallard, Diane Portner, Callie Harry, Al
Mehlbaum, David Sullivan, Bob Meyer, Vincent Weimer, Dione Balzano, Phyllis Spence, Evan
Cameron, Rose Ellmore, Chris & Gary Burris, Harry Weimer, Susan Moore, Zoe and Cody Jones,
Rhonda & Michael Williams, Morelle & Richard Slosson, Joyce Lee, Brian Bahr, Bruce Bahr, Juanita
& Jared Anderson, Karen Howard, Jerry Stubbs, Mrs. Hart, Mary Lou Haas, Kathy Perusi, Migrant
families, Tim Tillman, Pete Whitenack, Richard Snow, Matt Campbell, The Jeff Long Family, Keith
Bray, David Sullivan, Adam Gentry, Mallory Andrews, Ralph & Jerry Dado, Len Archer, Marty
Buckley, Lori Link, Terri Reese, Marue Biggs, Donna Hershey, Sonni Beranak, Joy Williams, Don
Bakker, Ellen Sole, Jerry Stubbs, Ron Livingston, Tom Passante
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November
Chris Brunjes 11/1
Wendy McArtor 11/3
Kelly Burcher 11/6
Linda Morisak 11/7
Sharon Vines 11/10
Michael Broden 11/11
Zoe Embrey 11/12
Ken Tillman 11/12
Tammy Campbell 11/14
Joyce Halston 11/15
Phil Midland 11/16
Tony Jenkins 11/18
Elaine Lyman 11/20
Michael Stalker 11/23
Jim Kerley 11/24
Wanda LaRue 11/24
Megan Miller 11/25
Michael McArtor 11/27
Bill Gellerman 11/28
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Faith in Action
It’s hard to believe, but it’s time for the Annual Angel Tree Christmas Project. The
Boy Scout Troop at Resurrection is disbanding, and we cannot count on the Scouting
for Food Saturday to provide non-perishable food to fill the food boxes distributed to
Angel Tree families. There will be wooden baskets at the narthex Baobab Tree to
collect the food products over the next several weeks. Resurrection members and
teams are encouraged to regularly bring items to services and meetings. A variety of
canned food and packaged items are welcome for this collection. The following items
are merely suggestions to assist you while shopping.
Needed Items
Canned corn, green beans, or peas
Canned sweet potatoes or yams
Muffin or biscuit mix
Stuffing mix
Gravy packets or jars
Cranberry sauce
Canned fruit
Instant potatoes
Rice
Boxed macaroni and cheese
Pasta and sauce
Evaporated milk
Pumpkin pie mix or other pie filling (boxes preferred)
Erica Suber at Chancellor Elementary is finalizing the list of Angel Tree families.
There could be 8-10 families. The gift tags will be ready the week of November 12th.
Plans call for the Angel Tree to appear in the narthex on Sunday, November 18th.
Angel Tree Instructions:
Select a tag from the Angel Tree. The tag will become the package tag for the gift
with the vital ID number. PLEASE put your name and phone number on the attached
index card and place the card in the basket. Above all, have a good time shopping for
the gift and place it under the Angel Tree.
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Angel Tree gifts must be at the church by Sunday, December 9th. The Faith in Action
Team (and hopefully other members) will assemble food boxes and gift bags for each
Angel Tree family. These Chancellor families will be coming to the church on
Monday, December 17th to receive the items.
A special congratulations to Chancellor Elementary for being recognized as a Blue-
Ribbon School, quite an awesome distinction. Any questions, please contact me.
Holiday blessings,
Gene Ernst
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Summary of RLC Council Minutes for October 23, 2018
Treasurer’s Report:
Budget Sheet - Income is up because of 5 Sundays and also the summer is over and fall
is traditionally higher in giving.
Team Reports
October Team Captains Meeting
o Property Team – need to get an interior designer/architect in to make
recommendations. The requirements will be gathered from the staff. We will send
out the recommendations to the congregation and receive information back as to
what the congregation comments. This will give everyone an opportunity to weigh
in. The council will make the final decision after Steve and the property team make
the recommendations.
Old Business
Update on Constitution/Bylaws Committee – changes from everyone except the school –
deadline is November 1, 2018
Capital Campaign – roof is almost done – the gutters and soffit need to be done. The cost
of the parking lot repairs is being covered by members in the church. It was asked if in a
few months the Capital Campaign can possibly give to the principle of the mortgage. The
response was that eventually the council will make the determination of the division of the
CC funds and decide where the money will go. It was also stated everyone should have a
voice, but not everyone will have their opinion met.
Audit update – The recommendation from the audit team is for RLS is to have an overall
improvement of the paper trail for the expenses. The audit from RLC will be forthcoming.
Council retreat – November 2 6:30PM-9:30PM & November 3 9AM – 3PM.
New Business
The new members for RLC were approved. A list of inactive members (transfers, moved
away) were approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Missy Arp
Council Secretary
Total contributions to date for
the Dream! Capital Campaign
$ 139,409
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Time to order Christmas Poinsettias
Watch for the Christmas Poinsettia notebook in the narthex on the table with the altar
flowers/communion elements notebook. Poinsettias can be placed in the sanctuary in
memory or in honor of a loved one. The cost will be $10 for an 8-inch pot. All orders
must be completed and paid by December 9th to reserve the order for Resurrection.
Last year, there were problems with poinsettia orders not being paid which left the
church to make up the difference. If you pay for plants online, please let the church
office know and your order will be marked paid. You can also utilize your offering
envelopes by writing “poinsettia” on the “other” line. Any questions, please contact
me.
Holiday Blessings
Gene Ernst
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SAVE THE DATE!
Come and join us on December 2, 2018 for a
multi-generational ADVENT ADVENTURE!
Immediately following the Cantata, we will be
singing songs, making Chrismons, and having
lunch. All ages are welcome. Invite your
friends! Please contact Cheryl Huntington to
volunteer: [email protected]
10:00 am – Advent Cantata
11:15 am – Advent Adventure
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December Schedule of Services
December 2 – 10:00 am – Advent Cantata
11:15 am - Advent Adventure
12:15 pm – Lunch and Decorating
December 9 – 8:30 am and 11:00 am
December 16 – 8:30 am and 11:00 am
December 23 – 10:00 am
December 24 – 7:00 pm – Family Carols and Candlelight Service
December 24 – 9:00 pm – Candlelight Service
December 30 – 10:00 am – Lessons and Carols