CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

86 Plantation Drive/ P.O. Box 948

Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Lake Jackson, TX

PERMIT #36

THE TIDINGS is published monthly by

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 86 PLANTATION DRIVE, P.O. BOX 948

LAKE JACKSON, TX 77566-0948

Pastor…..Pastor Paul Geisler, Jr…... clcpastorlj@sbcglobal.net

Secretary…..Rachel Wood….. sara6625@sbcglobal.net

Office Hours…..Mon.-Fri…..8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Phone….979-297-2013

Fax…..979-297-7868

Web Site…..www.christlutheran-lj.org

Ministers…..The People of Christ

Missionaries

• Pastor Dana Nelson/Thomas Osaski…..Serving in Peru

• Pastor Horacio Castillo…..Serving in Guatemala

• Stephen Deal…..Serving in Central America

The Hands of ChristThe Hands of ChristThe Hands of ChristThe Hands of Christ

Worshiping Learning ServingWorshiping Learning ServingWorshiping Learning ServingWorshiping Learning Serving

TogetherTogetherTogetherTogether

Worship Schedule

Sunday at 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM

Sunday School at 9:15 AM

Christ Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran Church

It's that time again to "hop" on down to the church to play Tiki. Spring into action on

Thursday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. A big thank you to Debbie Smith for bringing March's

goodies and to Sissy Waldrop for volunteering for April's. Harry Janke and Debbie Smith

will be trying to hold onto their medals. See you there!

ISSUE #274

APRIL 2011 The Tidings

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Change of Date!

The Finance Committee will meet on April 12th at 6:30pm in the Parlor.

Audit Committee will meet on April 25th

Lenten Project – Servant Ministry Supporting NAMI and Women's Center of Brazoria County Paper Towels

Toilet Tissue

Diapers (Size 3 & higher please)

Ladies Personal Products

Kleenex

Save the Date!

April 17th

Bread for the World Bake Sale

LLLT’s “book” this month is the play “Witness for the Prosecu-tion” by Agatha Christie. Our very own Jean Warren is directing this production which will open April 8th at Brazosport Center Stages!

—This month’s LLLT meeting will NOT be held on April 4th, but rather, over a lunch discussion (location to be determined) on Sunday April 10th after church followed by a matinee viewing of the play at 2:30.

—Please let me know if you will be attending the matinee on April 10th @ 2:30 & I will book a group of tickets. ($11.00)

Happy Reading! ☺

Lorin FurlowLorin FurlowLorin FurlowLorin Furlow

Baskets for donations in the Welcome area OR you may designate a donation on your

offering envelope.

Easter Sunday Worship Times

• 8:00 AM

• 10:30 AM

Activities between the services!

PAGE 2 THE T IDINGS

God’s peace,

Pastor Paul Giesler

From the Pastor, to my partners, . . .

My younger sister never seemed to appreciate the corrective advice I offered when she practiced the piano. Before we reached a full scale argument, my mom would intervene with words like, “You’re not her teacher. Let her learn it on her own.” Although we know we’re right, we older brothers and sisters tend to step in

with opinions that are neither wanted nor needed.

These early interactions can form future, even lifelong, patterns. Although my sister recognizes my love and support, she also carries her age-old suspicion that I may be cocked and ready to criticize. Sometimes she still hears my well-intended sugges-

tions with full suspicion that I will tell her again more of what’s she’s doing wrong.

We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are,” says author and poet Anais Nin. These patterns surround us, reciprocated in many other families, and they have global consequences, as well. Thanks to Kathy Sims for passing on an article in Lutheran Women Today about bossy older sisters. The author, Anne Bayse, moved very quickly into a discussion of mission work from our affluent North American settings to Christians in less developed parts of our world. She

writes, “Coming from a family that was quicker to correct than praise, I see my siblings’ flaws more easily than their gifts and talents.” She recognizes how our “grown-up” attitudes get in the way as we fail to see global partners as adults in their own settings: “convinced we know better; offering advice that hasn’t been asked for; noticing flaws and shortcomings instead of lifting up strengths; projecting sometimes our own

troublesome issues onto others.”

Ms Bayse has some suggestions that would help us build true companions, brothers and sisters in Christ, both globally, as well as in our families at home. “Listen before recommending. Train ourselves to see first how capable our companions are, and then ask, humbly, how best to support those talents. Teach us how to be responsible to our companions instead of, like me, feeling inappropriately (maybe even delusionally) re-

sponsible for them.”

Although we often focus on helping others with their needs, we would do much better to start by lifting up the assets and positive characteristics of both our global partners and our local family members. I could have used this wisdom many years ago. I can still use it now, to create strong, lasting, relationships with sisters

and brothers at home and anywhere.

This kind of sounds like the way Jesus worked, building his twelve disciples and equipping them to build a new community in his name. Maybe this has something to do with our Lenten walk, following the one who came because God so loved the

world that he gave.

THE T IDINGS

PAGE 11

April 17

8:00 am

10:30 am

April 24

8:00 am

10:30 am

Acolytes Hope Furlow

Chance Furlow

Riley Matteck

Eli Matteck

Readers Debbie Smith Liz Ellett Betty Massey Linda McCrery

Ushers Louise Humes

Patty Northam

Robert Drake

David Naill

David Naill

David McCrery

Don White

Jose Saavedra

Greeters Veronica Waldrop Louise Drake Bob & Barbara Lundahl Julie Saavedra

Ppt. Tech David McCrery Brydon Geisler Larry Brannon Carrie Hay

Musician Sandy Naill Sandy Naill Sandy Naill Mary Morgan

Money Counters Todd Hughes/Duane Rayburn Paul Stanley/Jose Saavedra

April 3

8:00 am

10:30 am

April 10

8:00 am

10:30 am

Acolytes Jeffrey Sims

Austin Hughes

Johanna Geisler

Kourtney Gregory

Readers Steve Gluck Liz Ellett Louise Humes Linda Arntsen

Ushers Don Schwank

Doris Schwank

Don White

Robert Drake

Steve Gluck

David McCrery

George Warren

Greeters Mark Jessop Margaret Janke Estelle Brubaker

Ppt. Tech Patty Northam Jennifer Sims Patty Northam Jean Warren

Musician Sandy Naill Linda Pirtle Rachel Wood

Money Counters Jose Saavedra/Kathy Christman Kathy Christman/Carrie Hay

APRIL SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

2

3 8:00 Worship 9:15 SS 10:30 Worship Bring non-perishable food for Brazosport Cares.

4 7 PM-March Mad-ness Watch Party 7 PM-Boy Scouts

5

6 1:30 Bread for Life-CLC Library 6:00 PM Adult Choir 6:00 PM Lenten Meal 6:30 Confirmation 7:00 PM Lenten Lessons

7 5-6:15 PM-Yoga Welcome Area 6:30 PM TIKI

8

9

10 8:00 Worship 9:15 SS 10:30 Worship LLLT lunch and matinee

11

7 PM-Boy Scouts

12 6:30 PM-Servant Ministry Meeting 6:30 PM-Finance Comm.

13 1:30 Bread for Life-CLC Library 6:00 PM Adult Choir 6:00 PM Lenten Meal 6:30 Confirmation 7:00 PM Lenten Lessons

14 5-6:15 PM-Yoga Welcome Area 7 PM Church Council Meeting

15

16

17 8:00 Worship 9:15 SS 10:30 Worship Bread for the World Bake Sale

18

7 PM-Boy Scouts

19

20

1:30 Bread for Life-CLC Library 6:30 Confirmation 7:00 PM Adult Choir

21 5-6:15 PM-Yoga Welcome Area 7:00 PM Worship

22 7:00 PM Worship Easter Vigil

23

24

8:00 Worship 9:15 SS 10:30 Worship

25 5 PM-Audit Com-mittee

7 PM-Boy Scouts

26 27 1:30 Bread for Life-CLC Library 6:30 PM Confirma-tion 7:00 PM Adult Choir

28 5-6:15 PM-Yoga Welcome Area

29

30

ISSUE #274 PAGE 10

ISSUE #274 PAGE 3

Worship & Music Notes

Lent continues through most of April, as our worship opportunities are doubled with the Wednesday Lenten

mid-week gatherings. Food for the body at 6pm, and soul at 7pm.

When we take off in an airplane, we are instructed to put on our own air mask first if the cabin air pressure drops. At first thought it seems selfish, until we realize that if we don’t, we can’t help those around us who might need help. The same holds true for our faith life. We should take in all the “fresh air” we are able—whether in worship, fellowship, service, so we can be blessed to be a blessing. Let’s help each other grow in faith by being willing servants. Being the

hands of Christ here at Christ Lutheran means “I can” rather than “we should.”

In our April readings, we hear that Jesus’ ministry certainly was one of “I can” and he equipped his disciples to do the same. As he set about performing miracles done in God’s name; giving sight to the blind man, raising Lazarus from the

dead, he also gave us that “I can” commandment. He then took it one step further when he said “I will” to God’s will.

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday April 21st @ 7:00pm. We gather in church to reflect on Christ’s Passion. We will have special readings along with a communion set up that reminds us of Jesus’ last Passover meal with his disciples. We reflect on this holy meal as well as Jesus’ commandment for us to assume the duty of servants as we participate in His kingdom

on earth. The altar is stripped of paraments and we leave in silence.

Good Friday April 22nd @ 7:00pm. We gather to hear John’s narrative of Christ’s passion. Again, we will take our

sins to the cross and leave them there.

Easter Vigil “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?” Jesus asked this of Peter, James and John, who

were with him at Gethsemane as he prayed. We know they slept. How disappointed Jesus must’ve been—just

when he needed them most! Our opportunity to stay awake and pray begins after the conclusion of the Good

Friday Service and continues throughout Saturday until 7:00pm. Devotionals, various translations of the Bible,

music and visuals will be on hand for your prayer time with our Lord. Sign up information is posted in the gath-

ering area.

Easter Day Services

We will keep the regular schedule of 8:00am & 10:30am. Activities are between the two services and will give us

opportunities to gather together in celebration.

Easter “Sunrise” April 24th @ 8:00am We’ll enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and watch the dawn break from the gathering area, inside where we don’t have to be concerned about the mosquitoes, rain, cold, humidity or other distrac-

tions. The big windows that face the trees and flowers will provide a visual altar of nature’s gifts. Enjoy!

Easter Service April 24th @ 10:30am We celebrate the risen Christ! With shouts of Hallelujah and songs of Christ’s victory over death, we revel in God’s unending grace and mercy.

Lenten Feedback? In worship planning, we always aim for a relevant and meaningful worship experience each and every time we gather. Your feedback is our barometer. Better yet, help us plan, by being a part of our worship and mu-

sic team.

1 Derek Tweedle 11 Pam Polikuha

April Vaughn 12 April Disisto

2 Penny Vogt 18 Joni Tannenbaum

3 Riley Matteck 19 Robert Massey

4 Ronald Northam Loren Zabel

5 Steve Matteck 21 Bob Lundahl

6 Jared Marks 29 Kristen Dettloff

10 Byron Sims Kyler Lange

ISSUE #274 PAGE 4

March MadnessMarch Madness Evangelism FundraiserEvangelism Fundraiser

Thanks to our players and sponsors!!

Follow along and cheer on your friends

Winner gets $10 refunded and a small gift

Updates posted after each round on CLC website and in the Welcome Area

Easter Lilies for the Altar

Sign up sheet for Easter Lilies is on the bulletin board in the Gathering Area. Lilies are $15 each. Deadline is April 13th. You can place your payment in the offering plate and designate “Easter lilies” on the offering envelope.

Clearing out your closets?? – Spring Cleaning??

Don’t forget to set aside some items for the Rummage Sale this

June

Donations can be brought to the first Sun-day School room.

April 4th 7pm March Madness Watching PartyMarch Madness Watching PartyMarch Madness Watching PartyMarch Madness Watching Party

Chili’s Outdoor Patio

Reservations for 20 have been made

Get with Kathy if you have any questions.

Give It a Try

Play Malaria Jeopardy Question: It costs this much to provide a bed net and training to protect against malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Answer: What is

ten dollars?

Malaria Jeopardy is a hit with youth and adults alike. Learn about the bio-logical and theological implications of malaria and what the ELCA is doing about it. The Malaria Jeopardy Power-Point presentation and more activities

are available at www.elca.org/malaria.

Bread for Life Study Wednesdays @ 1:30pm, in the church library Gather around the Word, gather with a small group, gather your

thoughts and let’s grow in faith.

The upcoming Sunday’s lectionary is found in a couple of places; usu-ally on the table in the church parlor and also at the ELCA web site (search Daily Discipleship). We’re in year A, and the dates should be listed. There’s always lively discussion on this two-page study. One page is clearly Bible study, the second page is application of the Word

in today’s world.

THE T IDINGS PAGE 9

Mark Your Calendar!

Pastor Dana Nelson will be with us July 12-14!

She’ll participate with Camp Hope, and we’ll plan

some congregational activities one of the evenings that she is here. Look for more information coming soon.

Dana Nelson cont. from page 8

What can get lost is the congregation’s mission – and as most of the congregations are located in the poorest parts of Lima and other cities, their programs tend to focus on children, women, health, education, etc – be-

cause buildings can use up a lot of energy and resources of the congregation.

So, as ILEP continues forward and creates a new 5-year strategic plan this year, let us pray that God walks along with the leaders of ILEP as they discern how to best forward the mission of the Peruvian Lutheran Churches. And, let us pray that any church construction (whether here in Peru or in other parts of the world) not only be beautiful, functional, spiritual, and earth-friendly, but also at the same time enhance a congrega-

tion’s mission and not distract from it.

Peace, Tom

P.S. Gracias Tom! (Dana now writing) I am so happy to share with you some photos of Gabriel, Eymi and Nicolle, three children in Cristo Rey Lutheran church who celebrated their First Communion last month. There is also a photo of a worship service we had on the beach. (It is still lovely summer here). And there is a photo

of two members, Andrea and Roberto, on the roof of Cristo Rey near the bell tower, painting the cross.

God bless you.

Thank you for your prayers for and with the Peruvian Evangelical Lutheran Church.

- Pastor Dana, Tom, Tana (8) Anthony (4)

Contact information: www.ilep.org

Congregación Ev. Luterana Cristo Rey

Calle Conde de Nieva 237

Urb. La Virreyna, Surco,

Lima 33, Peru

dnelson003@luthersem.edu

Resurrection Reminder: Butterflies are sym-bols of resurrection; Jesus the Christ is our res-urrection and life. When you look up and see a butterfly on the wing, remember the women who looked up to see “the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back” (Mark 16:4). Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! (from Lutheran Women

Today, April, 2011.)

ISSUE #274 PAGE 8

March 2, 2011

Hello Everyone. Pastor Dana has asked me to write this bi-monthly newsletter (which is a bit late!!). Well, I hope you don’t mind if write a little bit about buildings – in particular, the buildings of the Lutheran Church here in Peru (ILEP). As an architect and consultant for ILEP for the past year or two, I am

finally getting oriented with most of the church buildings.

Of the 17 ILEP churches here in Peru, I have worked with or at least seen 11 of them. The other six are in different locations in the country – four in Trujillo, one in Iquitos, and one in Huancayo. Even of those six, I understand 2 or 3 of them do not have a building and worship in a home. Of the 11 others they all

have a specific space for their congregation.

The 11 churches that I know can be broken up into three groups:

Group One: Four fairly steady congregations that are in buildings 20-40 years old. They function fine but they

all could use some updates and fixes.

Group Two: The next group of 4 consists of recently built structures (within the lat 10 years) that are com-

pletely built or partially built.

Group Three: The last group consists of 3 congregations that have an existing space or are renting and who are

looking to build new in a few years.

Just like in the United States, church buildings are both a blessing and a huge challenge. Creating a building from scratch (or just remodeling) can energize a congregation, unite it, and help it grow. On the other hand,

buildings cost a boatload of money, need constant maintenance, and may hurt the mission of the congregation.

Here in Peru, we have examples of both scenarios. Our congregation, Cristo Rey (a Group One church) has recently added a bell tower and painted (with the generous help of two ELCA volunteers) the outside of the building. Both of these actions, I think, have helped bring our congregation together and strengthen our iden-tity in the neighborhood. A counter example is small congregation, which has a new building (Group Two), seems to have lost some energy. Before their building, they were meeting in homes and unfortunately that grassroots energy has dissipated. And, the congregations that have partially-built structures are stuck in a bit of a time warp as they can’t quite function how they hoped. In a way, instead of owning a building, the building

owns them.

One of the difficulties in Peru is the lack of a mortgage system (although, it is definitely growing). So, churches build what they can with the resources they have. The building is basically unfinished until the con-gregation can provide more monetary resources. A lack of competent and trustworthy builders and construc-tion supervisors leads to a lack of priorities on what gets built first, second, and so on. This can lead to lots of

stress in the congregation and on the financial supporters of the congregation.

Cont. on page 9

Please remember these people in your prayers.Please remember these people in your prayers.Please remember these people in your prayers.Please remember these people in your prayers.

Staci Ayers David Halata Jim Pickens Ginger Stoldt

Taylor Bedrich Linda James Brinly Pirtle Van Tetlow

Bill Bowden Mary Johnson Gary Pyle Pastor Roy Timaeus

Patricia Bradburn Dennis Jones Sue Rieschick Bradley Thomas

Pastor Horacio Castillo Betty Keith R. B. Runnels Dora Updike

Royce Church Doug Magnussen Karen Schubring Clara Veatch

Kenneth Dean Macel Magnussen Kim Shelton Stanley Wall

George Ellis Brock Massey Fam Kathy Sims Viola Watson

Mary Ellis Linda McCrery Ken Smith Ruth Wetherell

Don Graham Steve Miller Pat Soledade Pauline Zabel

Carroll Grigsby Becky Moorefield Bill Stoerner

Lord’s Work Income Net Expenses Budget

February $12,639.84 $16,519.28 $17,123.42

Year to Date $27,889.22 $31,953.59 $34,246.84

Feb Avg Worship Attendance 78 YTD Avg Worship Attendance 74

THE T IDINGS PAGE 5

Go to www.goodsearch.com when you do a search, instead of google or yahoo, and our congregation will get one cent for each search! Goodsearch is powered by yahoo, and gives you virtually the same results, plus you contribute to our ministry. Be sure to identify Christ Lutheran Church – Lake Jackson, Texas, as

your charity.

Also, try www.goodshop.com when you shop online. Goodshop provides a portal to many, many online shopping spots that you already use, but if you go though Goodshop first and identify our congregation as

your charity, we will receive a percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you!

The Board of Directors of Lutherhill Ministries met Saturday, February 19, 2011 to begin the search for the next Executive Director of Lutherhill. We value and appreciate the service, lead-ership and guidance that Evan Moilan has brought to Lutherhill over the last seven years and wish him well. We know that he will give to his new job the same passion that he gave to Lu-therhill. The Ministry is in a great position and we are confident that Lutherhill will continue

to grow and thrive.

ISSUE #274 PAGE 6

Camp Hope 2011

July 11-29

1) We need all interested young people to start applying for staff positions. All other staff applications need to be in by April 30th. To be able to apply for staff, applicants must have completed 7th grade and no older than college age. Volunteer and paid staff positions will be filled. Applications can be found in the gather-ing area at church and on-line at our CLC web site. Please congratulate Kati Naill next time you see her. She will be camp manager this year.

2) Scholarships will be needed to make this camp successful so please consider contributing to this area. I would like to encourage 1/2 camper scholarships of $35 each. Anyone can sponsor 1/2 or more campers.

3) Staff training will be July 7-9 at New Life Lutheran Church in Pearland. Our staff will have only one train-ing this year.

4) Registration forms for campers are located in the gathering area and can now be filled out. They are also located on the church web site. Campers ages should be 5 years old (or slightly younger...) through finishing 6th grade.

Kati Naill and Jacob Garcia attended “Train the Trainer” on March 11-13. They will be training our staff in a joint training effort in July.

Please call or e-mail if you have a desire to help this wonderful camp or have any ques-tions.

Sandy Naill dsnaill@comcast.net

979-265-0444

To All Who Prayed for My Recent Surgery:

My hip replacement surgery was totally suc-cessful, and I give all the glory to God and the prayers of the church leaders, the prayer chain and other members of the congregation as well as those of my family and friends. I thank all of you for those prayers and other kindness and help during the hospital stay and recovery pe-

riod. I am up and about!

May God bless you all beyond measure.

Pat Soledade

Library Lines

Come on in and see what we have for Lenten reading. There are so many fine things to choose from; devotionals, prayer books, different

Bible translations, Bible study helps, many fine books to help you grow on your faith journey.

We have titles by popular Christian authors, Max Lucado, Ken Gire, Jan Karon, and many others! Check out your selections by simply jotting down

(on an index card) the title, date, and your auto-graph and dropping the card in the little black box. Just bring the book back—eventually!

Next

CLC Blood Drive-July 16

THE T IDINGS PAGE 7

Meet Barbara www.elca.org/hunger

UNITED STATES

Barbara, a 63-year-old grandmother from Detroit, Mich., stays home to take care of a big family—15 of her 24 grand-

children. She finds it difficult to afford enough healthful groceries to keep a houseful of growing children well nour-

ished.

That’s where Immanuel Lutheran Church steps in. “We serve about 85 people each week,” said Lillian Williams, who

operates the food pantry at Immanuel, supported by gifts to ELCA World Hunger. Volunteers fill bags with milk, eggs,

cereal, canned goods and other staples to help families struggling to feed their children. “We pay special attention to

each person we meet,” says Lillian. “When we are dealing with larger families, we are sure to add more food to the

bag so that there is enough for everybody.”

When volunteers invited Barbara to come back to Immanuel for worship on Sunday morning, she gladly accepted—

and brought several of her grandchildren with her. Immanuel is where she finds nourishment—body and soul. “I thank

God for this church,” Barbara said. “If there were more like it, the whole community would be better.”

Your gifts to ELCA World Hunger support the food pantry at Immanuel Lutheran Church and hundreds of other pro-

grams like it in the United States and in more than 60 countries around the world.

Meet Jauvalda www.elca.org/disaster

HAITI

Jauvalda Francique is 3 years old and eager to go to school—especially since the school she’ll be going to is brand new

and her parents helped build it.

The school building in Jauvalda’s home town of Léogâne in Haiti was nearly destroyed in the January 2010 earth-

quake. With help from ELCA Disaster Response, a new school building has risen from the rubble, designed to with-

stand earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. To help students feel safe within its sturdy walls, families were invited to

participate in the planning meetings and were kept informed throughout the construction of their new school.

Parents were hired to help with construction. Children chose the colors. School families asked that the shutters be

painted with words in Creole, French, English and even Finnish, a nod to the construction manager. Natural ventila-

tion and plenty of light make the new school a cheerful, comfortable and safe place for children to learn.

Josette Jean Pierre, age 11, is delighted to be studying again. She says, “I’m happy to be back at school.” Her little

neighbor Jauvalda can’t wait to get started herself.

Your gifts to ELCA Disaster Response, designated for Haiti Earthquake Relief, support our ongoing work in Haiti.

We’ll be working alongside the people of Haiti for as long as it takes, helping to bring new life from the rubble the

earthquake left behind. Will you help with your gift today?