The Calvary Calling
Newsletter for July & August, 2010
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church
480 Monterey Ave., Morro Bay, CA 93442
Office Phone - (805) 772-8457 and 772-9156
email – morrobaylutherans@sbcglobal.net
Website – www.morrobaylutherans.org
Ì FROM THE PASTOR Ì
One of my favorite Bible passages is Philippians 4:4-8. There the Apostle Paul writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
These words have always been special to me but they become inspirational when you learn that these words were written while the Apostle Paul was in prison facing death. Things were not good for him in so many ways, as you read the letter you can see this between the lines, but he could still rejoice and encourage others to rejoice. What a remarkable attitude, and what a remarkable goal for our lives if we could copy his attitude a little more each day.
I have often wondered how he could do this and I believe that the last verse of this section offers his secret. It is a matter of where we focus our attention. He calls his struggles, slight momentary afflictions in 2 Corinthians 4:17 and focuses on the eternal weight of glory that awaits him. Somehow he sees the hand of God in every aspect of life and discovers the amazing hope God has for him and us.
That is a good reminder for us as we enter into summer. We live in such a beautiful area and our lives are so blessed with good things and life forever with God which awaits those who believe. As you take time to enjoy the blessings around us, take time celebrate the wonder of what God has done for us. His mercy is always there even in our darkest hours of the night, how much more in our brightest days. Think about his blessings, praise him and discover the true peace and renewal that he offers each of us in his presence.
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
The Council met on Wednesday, June 9th. As we began Sharron led us in a
wonderful leadership moment focusing on customer service in the community and
the church. After some good discussion we focused on a number of agenda items.
· PG&E is offering an Energy Saving Program that might help the congregation reduce our energy use. Sharron Jackman and Gail Brochtrup will look into this.
· Our Wireless Microphone needs to be replaced due to new FCC rules. Jeff Burt will order one for us.
· Pastor, Alice and Sharron reviewed the Synod Assembly Report
· Our insurance company, Church Mutual Insurance, has issued some new Employment Policy Statement requirements and we will be working on these this summer.
· Pastor and Nancy will be at a continuing education trip for Police Chaplain Training July 11 to 16 in Sacramento. They will not miss a Sunday at this time but the office will be closed that week.
· We have had a special donation that will cover rain gutters on the Parsonage so they will be installed shortly. This completes most of the major tasks that need to be finished with the exception of landscaping. If anyone has any ideas or ways to finance this let us know.
· We are looking for someone who would be willing to work with a city wide committee to set up a Hunger walk for Morro Bay on Sunday afternoon, September 26th at 2:00 p.m.
Our next Council meeting will be Thursday, July 8th at 6:30 in the office building. Visitors are welcome.
NOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Alice Kolb who finished her Equipping Leaders for Mission classes and was commissioned at the Synod Assembly on June 5th. This was a 2 year training program involving several classes on the Basics of Lutheranism and Ministry. Take a moment and congratulate Alice for her accomplishment.
FAITH, FOOD AND FUN
Our next Faith, Food and Fun gathering will be on Wednesday, July 7th at 6:00 p.m. for hot dogs and potluck followed by an informal worship service at 6:45 p.m. Our theme for the evening will be “Faithfully Living in Freedom.”
Our August Faith, Food, and Fun gathering will be on Wednesday, August 4th and the theme will be “Living in the Garden – The Fruit of the Spirit”. At 6:00 p.m. we will have a build-you-own pita bread sandwich buffet followed by an informal worship service at 6:45 p.m.
Mark your calendars now and plan to join us.
JULY & AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
JULY
1 Syble Mandeville, Angelo Lorenzo
2 Ed Kalin
8 Janet Lorenzo
9 Kelly Theros
11 Cindy Lee
12 Pat Mann
19 Julius Royal
28 Madison Berg
31 Gail Brochtrup, Maggie Koepsell, Lenny Koepsell, and Darel Sorensen
AUGUST
4 Nancy Berg, Nancy Padilla, Ronnie Smith
6 Bill Haar
9 Scott McCorkhill
10 Earl Warke, Ben Koppl
15 Paul Skartvedt
17 Penny Henriksen
18 Carolee Thompson
19 Betty Sorensen
22 Kevin Rocha
29 Pastor Jim Berg, Jeff McKee
JULY & AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES
JULY
11 George & Edith Tway, 40 years
30 Pastor Jim & Nancy Berg, 33 years
31 Ron & Audrey Forster, 56 years
AUGUST
18 Nick & Becky Mendoza, 26 years
19 Darel & Betty Sorensen, 49 years
THANK YOU NOTE
A very heartfelt thank you for all the prayers, cards, phone calls and visits I received while recuperating from my broken arm which is still healing.
Blessings to all,
Audrey Forster
PRAYER LIST
Homebound
Rosetta Brocks
Carolee Thompson
Nursing Home Residents
Mary Bergan
Illness, Surgery, or Special Needs
Jim Campbell, moving to New Jersey to be near to family
Pastor Al Creighton (Bert & Dorothy Harris’ son-in-law), hospitalized due to complications following surgery, currently in rehab and improving
Betty Olson (wife of Bill Olson), long term health problems – going to Stanford for treatments
Greg Henriksen, son of Jim & Penny Henriksen, cancer
That we would have more daily opportunities to perform simple acts of love in Jesus’ name
That our church would truly be a welcoming place for all who visit and for all who would like to join us
Those on the Gulf coast suffering due to the oil leak, and for those trying to stop it and clean up the mess
Resolution and Peace for Israel and all of the Middle East
Safety for our military personnel, especially those overseas and away from home
That God will give wisdom and guidance to the leaders of the ELCA and the United States
That the Lord would turn the hearts of the whole world toward Him and that everyone would worship Him as their Lord and Savior
If there is anyone you would like to add to this list, please call the church office at 772-8457.
CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT
The Lumiere Trio will be presenting a concert of Chamber Music on Sunday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. Members of the trio are Margaret Berrio, violin; Jan Carpenter, cello; and Ina Davenport, piano and they will be presenting music by Felix Mendelssohn, Joachim Turina, and Cecile Chaminade. Mark your
calendars, invite your friends and neighbors and plan on joining us for this special afternoon of music.
PELI-CAN PROJECT
Peli would like to remind you that during the Summer there will be an offering plate in the back of the sanctuary for Periya Uwamahoro, the child we support in Rwanda through Compassion International. This money helps her receive schooling, food, clothing, and a Christian education that she would not otherwise have. The recycling bin will continue to be available in the entryway as well. We are looking for families to help take the recycling in to help students understand how the recycling helps the Peli-Can Project. If you can help, please let Aldina know. Peli thanks you all for your support!
LOCAL HUNGER
“Many people wish to serve God, but in an advisory position only.”
--Anonymous
Thanks to those who donate to the Local Hunger collection. I am sure we are helping those who really need it, but I know we can do better. If everyone could give just one inexpensive (around $1) non-erishable food item, it would be a huge increase to our already successful Local Hunger program. During these tough times when more help is needed than ever, let’s keep our Local Hunger Box overflowing!
--Kelly Theros
Local Hunger Coordinator
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
“When a person is at his wits end it is not a cowardly thing to pray.
It is the only way to get into touch with Reality.” --Oswald Chambers
Lord, I often run here and there seeking help and comfort. Please give me the wisdom and courage
to stop running and come to You in prayer. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR JULY & AUGUST
Sunday, July 4 – The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Isaiah 66: 10-14 Psalm 66:1-9 Galatians 6:1-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Sunday, July 11 – The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Psalm 25:1-10 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37
Sunday, July 18 – The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
Genesis 18:1-10a Psalm 15 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42
Sunday, July 25 – The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 138 Colossians 2:6-19 Luke 11:1-13
Sunday, August 1 – The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 49:1-12 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21
Sunday, August 8 – The Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
Genesis 15:1-6 Psalm 33:12-22 Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40
Sunday, August 15 – The Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2 Luke 12:49-56
Sunday, August 22 – The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Isaiah 58:9b – 14 Psalm 103:1-8 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17
Sunday, August 29 – The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Proverbs 25:6&7 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
Date 9:00 S.S. 10:30 Total Notes
5/30 31 7 32 70
6/6 37 8 33 78
6/13 37 6 35 78
6/20 43 -0- 28 71 Father’s Day