The Shepherd’s Voice
Monthly Newsletter of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
February 2010
Following is the internet-friendly version of our monthly newsletter. It’s the same content; just different formatting and no graphics. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter via snail-mail, contact the church office.
Shepherd of the Valley invites, nurtures, and empowers people to serve and praise God and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ!
A NOTE FROM PASTOR TARI
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But (Jesus) perceived their craftiness and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?" They said, "The emperor's." He said to them, "Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:22-25
Jesus is not a Republican or a Democrat. He actually had his moment when he could have taken political sides in his time. He could have joined the resistance to the Romans and gained popular support (but probably gotten arrested) if he said to forget paying taxes. Or he could have gained comfort and the support of those in power if he encouraged people to pay taxes. But, Jesus is a lot more subtle than party lines. Jesus’ response to the politically fueled question is to reveal hypocrisy and point people to trust God.
Jesus is sly. He asks one of the Pharisees questioning him to pull out a denarius. The irony is that a denarius was contrary to Jewish law because it had the image of the emperor and the idolatrous title, ‘Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus.’ The first thing Jesus does in the political discussion is reveal us for our hypocrisy. We get so self-righteous in our political arguments, and our nation is feeling the effects of this puritanical hate-fueled discussion on all sides.
The church should always be a place where politics (the common good of the state) may be safely discussed, not dodged because we might offend each other. We should model to our communities the possibility of discerning what is just, faithful, and good for the health of all across party lines. We must also be ever mindful in the community of faith that it is hurtful to others when politicians, political ideas, or parties are mocked and belittled. We should begin every political discussion with a confession of our own hypocrisy, our own failure to set things right, and the forgiveness that helps us be open and loving to others.
Jesus is tricky. Give to God the things that are God’s. That’s quite a response. You can give the idolatrous coin to the emperor, but know that ultimately all belongs to God. It takes a confessional heart to engage in true political conversation, but more than that it takes a trust in God who is the great giver of all that is. Lent is the time to be intimately aware of this. We are broken folks, and we place our trust in God to bring healing and wholeness to ourselves and our nations. We are not saviors of the world, but we are called to love the world. All of it. Even Republicans, even Democrats, even Libertarians, even the Green Party. Jesus’ call isn’t to be right; Jesus’ call is to love.
Peace - Pastor Tari
FAITH FORMATION FOR ALL AGES
On Sundays at 9:30 a.m. all ages are welcome to attend Faith Formation at SOV. Thank you to everyone who has participated! Sunday mornings are buzzing with activity. In February, the adult class will continue exploring the Book of Faith and how Lutherans read the Bible.
The K-5th graders will continue the series Friends and Heroes of the Bible. Please sign-up to help with the K-5th grade classes. The commitment is minimal with lots of good curriculum to help. The curriculum can be found on our website www.sovlutheran.org. The password is SOV4212. Listed below are February activity station volunteers (and the online file name for each lesson). If you would like to volunteer, contact Pastor Tari or Lori Fredenberg.
February 7
Zacchaeus Meets Jesus (online file Lesson4.pdf)
Bible Game - Katherine Andrews
Bible Adventure and Application - Alice Gates
Snacks - Becky Corson
February 14
David Plays for King Saul (online file FH03-LO1)
Bible Game - Alice Gates
Bible Adventure and Prayer - Volunteer Needed
Snack - Linda Thompson
February 21
David and Goliath (online file FH03-LO2)
Bible Game & Prayer - Volunteer Needed
Bible Adventure & Application - Becky Corson
Snack - Linda Thompson
February 28
Peter Escapes from Prison (online file FH03-LO3)
Bible Games - Volunteer Needed
Bible Adventure & Application - Volunteer Needed
Snack - Tim Flanagan & Cindy Spanyers
CONFIRMATION NOTES
Thank you confirmation youth for making and sharing the delicious cookies. They were a confectionery delight and much appreciated! Here's the schedule for February:
Sunday, February 7 Class on Samuel, Saul and David
Sunday, February 14 5 p.m. Servant Event - Help with SOV Spaghetti Dinner
Monday, February 15 10 a.m. Discussion on Relationships and Sexuality
Sunday, February 21 Class on Elijah and Elisha
February 26 – 28 Camping with the YUTES at Methodist Camp! More information coming.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7
It's that time again! The SOV Yutes challenge each of us to donate canned goods...this year the challenge is one can of food for each shoe we own. Or...you can donate two cans per pair of shoes. Your choice! Bring your canned goods to church on Sunday, February 7. Let's work as a team to score a few touchdowns against hunger in our community! Go Team SOV!
ACTION PLAN SESSION
5:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 2
Chips and Salsa Theology, Women’s Fellowship and the Kitchen Remodeling all came out of the last action plan session. Action planning is a time for us to listen to each other, discern what to let go of, and figure out where the Spirit is calling us. Your input is important. It is a chance for your voice and ideas to be heard. Please join us to discern the next six months of ministry. Dinner will be included.
VALENTINE’S DAY SPAGHETTI DINNER AND BINGO BASH
You are cordially invited to the annual SOV Valentine's Day Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Bash, 5 p.m., Sunday, February 14. Dinner includes spaghetti (both meat and vegetarian sauces), garlic bread, salad, dessert, and beverages. Come for the food! Stay for the BINGO!
We ask everyone to bring a wrapped bingo prize for either a child or adult (feel free to bring more than one). Please mark "child" or "adult" on the wrapping. Prizes should be small items that are either new or gently used (a great opportunity to clean out a drawer or cupboard).
Bring your family and friends...everyone is invited!
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
Our pantry helped feed over 1500 people in 2009. Thank you for your time, food, and prayers. All are needed to continue this important and well-used ministry. Please continue to include the pantry on your shopping list and in your prayers.
SOV CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN MAY
Our 25th anniversary is getting closer! Watch for details on how you can get involved in planning the celebration. SOV charter member Elfrida Nord has been providing us with brief "histories" and special memories of SOV. If you have anything to add, please send it to the church and we will forward it to Elfrida.
DO WE NEED YOUR FAMILY PHOTO?
We are getting closer to our goal of having a family photo of everybody for our 25th anniversary photo directory. If your name is listed below, please see Dean Rasmussen to have your photo taken, or send your own to sov@alaska.net. We still need photos from the following active friends and members at SOV: Bullock, Carls, Steve Christensen family, Corazza, Dunlap, Efshen, Hixson, Johnson, Lie, Marshall, Mehrkens, Odum, Orsborn, Owen, Price, Shaw, Tersteeg, Thompson, Will.
KITCHEN PLEDGES
If the congregation agrees to go ahead with the kitchen as proposed, we will be asking for support from the whole SOV community. Letters will go out asking you to pledge your support over the next year to complete the kitchen. Please keep your eyes open and discern your involvement in finishing the kitchen. If you have any questions, feel free to call Karen Stumpf, Pete Christensen, or Liz Balstad.
SOV HISTORIES
Following is the third of several "SOV histories" written for the newsletter by Elfrida Nord. Others will follow in the months leading to our 25th anniversary in May. Thank you Elfrida for writing these for us!
"PLANNING AND ACTION - 1996 to 2000"
Early in 1996, SOV conducted a stewardship drive called "Treasures of the Heart." We had professional help. 80% of the pledges were to go toward meeting our expenses. We were allowed to set aside 20% for a building fund. It was obvious we needed more space but we were not allowed to incur additional debt. The goal was to meet our mortgage payments and start building when we had $60,000 in the building fund. Building would proceed as we had funds. A resolution from the Southeast Cluster called for two two-year commitments from ELCA churches in Alaska toward the mission needs of one of its members. SOV became the first recipient from T.E.A.M. (Together Emphasizing Alaska's Ministry).
In 1997 and1998 plans were formulated for MISSION: ADDITION. By the end of 1998 there was over $76,000 in the building fund. After months of discussion and negotiations, the Rorem's purchased their own home and the parsonage was sold. This was a great leap of faith because while we had failed to pay our mortgage payments, we could not fail to pay the housing allowance for the Rorem's.
On Sunday, April 18, 1999, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new addition. Building started immediately, largely with volunteer help.
On December 21, 2000, SOV received its last Mission Support check. This meant we were no longer a mission congregation. We were on our own. Hallelujah!
OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY
7 p.m., Tuesdays (no study February 2). We continue our exciting study about characters from the Old Testament. The study will tie into our Tuesday evening soup dinner and Lenten worship services. See further details on the following page.
CHIPS AND SALSA THEOLOGY
Chips and Salsa will resume in March. Happy Super Bowl Sunday!
MEATLOAF IS MAGNIFICENT
We will cook and serve our monthly meatloaf at the Glory Hole on Wednesday, February 17. Cooking begins at 1 p.m.; we serve the meal at 6 p.m. The sign-up sheet for donations of food and/or time is located on the round table at church.
PRAYER SHAWLS
Our need for prayer shawls is ongoing, so please continue knitting and crocheting those beautiful shawls. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this wonderful ministry. Feel free to give a shawl to someone who could use an extra hug. They are located on a table in the coffee area at church.
SE ALASKA FASD CONFERENCE
The 2010 Southeast Alaska Regional FASD Conference will be held February 18 to 20 at Centennial Hall. The theme is Embrace the Reality, Celebrate the Passion, and Create the Hope. Registration is free. One of the goals of the conference is "to increase the awareness that FASD is a life-long brain disability that requires a comprehensive life-long system of prevention, diagnosis, services and support." For more information check out: http://www.ccthita.org/2010fasdconference.html.
WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP EVENT (WFE)
January game night was a blast. Thanks to the enthusiastic ladies who gathered to laugh, play games, and eat. It was a winning combination! What do you guys want to do in February? Let's tentatively set aside the evening of Saturday, February 20 for our next WFE. We can firm up plans at the SOV Action Plan Session on February 2 (see details about the action plan session elsewhere in the newsletter).
LENT BEGINS
ASH WEDNESDAY
We begin Lent with a reminder of our mortality and God’s incredible gift of renewal. The Ash Wednesday service takes place at 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 17.
LENTEN WORSHIP AND SOUP DINNERS
We will have soup dinners at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights followed by a short worship service and Bible study about characters of the Old Testament. Please consider making this a part of your Lenten devotion.
FORTY DAYS OF LENT
Instead of giving something up for Lent, take something on. Circle one thing on the following list you will do for the forty days of Lent:
Read Scripture daily for 5 minutes
Pray daily
Worship weekly
Exercise daily
Give an extra $10 a week away
Replace TV time with a family game or activity
Participate in a small group or service event at church
LENTEN LUNCHES
The Juneau Cooperative Church Council will continue its tradition of Thursday soup and bread Lenten Lunches. The theme this year is “Living Lent: Heart, Mind, Body and Soul.” Each lunch begins at noon at Northern Light United Church on 11th Street downtown. A $5 donation may be made to the Glory Hole for lunch. Please note SOV is signed up to provide soup and bread on Thursday, February 25. If you are able to provide soup or bread on that day, please talk to Pastor Tari.
The tentative speaker schedule is:
Thursday, February 18
Music: Tlingit Gospel
Speaker: Dauernhauers on Orthodox rite of forgiveness
Thursday, February 25
Speaker: Deacon Charles Rohrbacher on praying with icons
Soup and bread provided by SOV
Thursday, March 4
Speaker: Bishop Burns on fasting/simplicity/almsgiving
Thursday, March 11
Speaker: Sue Bahleda on music
Thursday, March 18
Music: Trinity
Speaker: George Silides on labyrinth
Thursday, March 25
Speaker: Judy Shook on moving prayer
WHAT IS LENT?
The following information about Lent is from the ELCA website, and it's only the tip of the iceberg. If you would like to know more, check out: http://www2.elca.org/communication/whatislent.html
Lent is a 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes at the Great Vigil of Easter. Sundays are not included in the 40-day count because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Though not biblical, Lent has long been a tradition in the Christian Church, and it is thought that the tradition of the 40 days recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Lent is considered a time of penance and discipline.
Because of Lent's penitential nature, worship tends to be more solemn, and purple is the liturgical color of the season. Some congregations remove flowers from the worship space, and for many, songs of praise like the Gloria in Excelsis ("Glory in the highest") and expressions of joy like the exclamation "Alleluia" ("Praise the Lord") are removed from the liturgy until Easter. Many congregations hold special mid-week worship services and promote other devotional activities to help their members concentrate on the Lenten disciplines of fasting, almsgiving (charity) and prayer.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. On this day, Christians focus on their complete sinfulness and the necessity of Christ's suffering and death to insure their salvation. Ashes are referred to many times in the Old Testament as signs of sorrow, mourning, humility, and repentance, and on Ash Wednesday they are used to remind people of their mortality -- that "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). Many churches use ashes during Ash Wednesday worship in a ritual called the Imposition of Ashes. In this custom, ashes are mixed with a small amount of oil and applied to the forehead of each worshipper.
The Sunday of the Passion or Palm Sunday begins the last week of Lent, known as Holy Week. During this holiest time of the church year, the worship services relive the final week of our Lord's human life. Holy Week includes Maundy Thursday, when Christians observe Christ's "Last Supper" -- the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion -- and the mandate to serve one another in love. Good Friday commemorates the imprisonment, trial and death by crucifixion of Jesus.
Lent culminates on Saturday evening of Holy Week in the Great Vigil of Easter, when Christians gather in darkness, light new fire, and celebrate the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in the resurrection of Christ.
LOOKING AHEAD TO MARCH
SOV to host Southeast Cluster Rendezvous
We are this year's Southeast Cluster Rendezvous host, which takes place at SOV, Friday to Sunday, March 5 to 7. There are nine churches in the SE Cluster (including the M/V Christian). As hosts, we are responsible for providing some meals, as well as helping with transportation and housing for our guests. Keep an eye open for further information and a more "formal" request for your help.
New Members and Baptism Classes
Easter is traditionally a time to baptize and welcome new members into the church community. If you are interested in being baptized or becoming a member of Shepherd of the Valley, please talk to Pastor Tari. Introductory sessions will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 13 and 9:30 a.m., Sunday, March 21. Those are tentative dates and times. Our constitution defines membership as “regular use of the means of grace, both Word and sacrament; live a Christian life; support the work of this congregation and of the ELCA through time, abilities and financial support.”
Your church family is here for support, prayers, visits, and encouragement. Please call us if you would like a visit from Pastor Tari, or anytime you can use a kind word.
We would also love to hear from you with comments about or submissions to The Shepherd's Voice. If your address has changed, or if you no longer wish to be on our mailing list, we want to know that too. Please contact us by email at www.sov@alaska.net or call the church office at (907) 789-4093.
Rev. Tari Stage-Harvey, Pastor
Editor: Becky Corson
Production/Distribution: Alice Gates