15600 North Tamiami Trail

Naples, Florida 34110-6245

(239) 597-1043

Rev. Thomas J. Slater, Pastor

(cell) 239-450-0699

A Newsletter of the People of

CHRISTUS VICTOR LUTHERAN CHURCH

"Thanks Be To God, who gives us the victory

through our Lord,

Jesus Christ"

(I Cor. 15:57)

Don't just live...live victoriously!

President’s Place

As I write this page, Pastor

Tom has returned home from the

vacation portion of his sabbatical

and is busily working on his

Long Range Planning part. In his

absence, Intern Victoria has been

doing a splendid job of leading

us in prayer at our worship services, leading

study at our adult Sunday school classes and

delivering some very meaningful sermons.

She also took part in her graduation ceremony

at Gettysburg Seminary. Congratulations

Victoria, and thank you for “leading the

sheep” in Pastor’s absence.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Cheryl

Pfaus and her group of young people for a

wonderful Youth Sunday. If you missed it, the

young people of Christus Victor officiated an

entire Sunday worship service, including a

very interesting sermon presented by Sierra

Engdahl. What a wonderful way to start off

Mother’s Day!! Thanks to all who

participated.

Speaking of our young people, you must

know that Teaker Harris, Jr. will be the Youth

representative to our upcoming Synod

Assembly on June 20-22. We are very proud

of Teaker and wish him well in this endeavor.

Although it has not occurred as yet, I am

sure the Carnival-Luncheon presented by our

Parish Life committee on June 1 was very

successful. Our thanks go to Carol Phillips

and her faithful committee. Good job!!

I trust everyone is enjoying their time “up

north” and we here in sunny Florida are

remembering that our worship hours are 8:30

and 10:45 a.m. See you in church.

Go in Peace,

Helen Wright

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you

to everyone that provided meals for our

family during my recovery after the birth of

our son.

Michelle and Randy Brinser

Sick or Hospitalized? Please tell us if you or someone you know in the congregation will be hospitalized or in need of a

visit as we are not routinely notified by local hospitals when members are admitted. The office

number is 597-1043. Prayer for one another is understanding love.

2

Intern’s Article

As I sit to write this article, my

thoughts turn again to one of the

most prominent headlines from

recent days: the shooting spree committed in

Santa Barbara by 22-year-old Elliot Roger. In

a video he made beforehand, Roger made it

clear that his actions were motivated by a

profound hatred for women.

In response, women (and men) began a

conversation on social media sites, relating

their experiences of sexism in everyday life.

Several hit home for me, because I’ve had

these experiences too. Holding my keys like a

weapon when walking through a dark parking

lot. Being told to take catcalls as

compliments. Never putting my drink down

when I’m in public.

I am a feminist. Most people avoid the

word, thinking that feminists are extremists.

But feminism simply means believing in

equal treatment for all people, regardless of

gender. Under that definition, a lot of you are

probably feminists too.

My feminism is deeply rooted in my faith.

God was made incarnate through the Holy

Spirit and a woman’s womb. Jesus forgave

prostitutes, revealed his true self to the

Samaritan woman at the well, changed his

salvific agenda for the Syro-Phoenician

woman, brought Jairus’ daughter back to life,

was moved to tears by Mary and Martha, and

made the women at the tomb the first

evangelists.

I’m pretty sure Jesus was a feminist too.

Like Paul said, “In Christ there is no male or

female.”

It’s time to reclaim the “F” word.

Music Notes by Joyce

As we begin the month

of June, choir has pretty much ended their

season. I am hoping to have a few special

solos and duets to present to you this summer

and perhaps we will have enough choir

members on a Sunday to do something special

also. Of course I may just call on the

congregation to sing something special too!

I will be away Sunday the 15th and I hope

you will welcome HG Fisher who will be

filling in for me that day. A special thank you

to him for doing this for me. He has been

attending our services when he is not subbing

at other churches for their organists.

Until next month, keep a song in your

heart!

Joyce

3

4

Special Offering & Temple Talk on June 1st: Hydrating Humanity by Pat Selvey, International Director of

Hydrating Humanity

Hydrating Humanity’s focus is to share the

love of Christ by providing solutions to the

water crisis in Africa. Digging wells is a

positive way we have discovered to punch

through the wall that exists between the

developing world and America. The

population is growing at a screaming pace

worldwide and most of that growth is among

the poor. Relief efforts in Africa are not

even keeping up with the boom. And

honestly, there will likely never be enough

charities to solve the water crisis!

“We must empower people at a local level to

find solutions

which will work in their communities.”

Developing nations are treated best when we

help them solve problems for themselves.

This instills the sense of ownership necessary

to sustain the solution and creates the dignity

needed to honor our brothers and sisters less

fortunate than us. We train and release local

men and women who were born and grew up

in the areas we serve.

Our Motto: Local People Solving Local

Problems

Fortunately God did not command us to end

poverty, but to show kindness to the poor,

recognizing that they are blessed of God. Our

work among the poor demonstrates our faith

in the One who gave Himself for us and died

for us and rose again. It is by faith we are

saved and James explains that our faith is

proven (at least in part) by how we respond

to those in need. “I will show you my faith

by my works” (James 2:18b)

Scripture Cake Recipe 1/2 cup butter, Judges 5:25

1 1/2 cups white Sugar, Jeremiah 6:20

3 eggs, Isaiah 10:14

2 cups flour, 1Kings 4:22

2 tsp. baking powder, Luke 13:21

1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 Kings 10:10

1 tsp. ground mace, 1 Kings 10:10

1 tsp. ground cloves, 1 Kings 10:10

1/2 tsp. salt, Leviticus 2:13

1/2 cup water, Genesis 43:24

1 Tbsp. Honey, Proverbs 24:13

1 cup of figs, 1 Samuel 30:11

1 cup of raisins, 1 Samuel 30:11

1/2 cup almonds, Genesis 43:11

Blend butter, sugar, spices and salt. Beat egg

yolks and add. Sift in baking poweder and

flour, then add water and honey.

Put fruit and nuts through food processor and

flour well. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.

Pour into a 13x9 inch pan and bake 375

degrees for one hour.

5

Stewardship in the middle of the Year It’s June – by the time this month is over

– the year is half over! I’ve always loved the

month of June. So much happens!

June is also a good time to talk about

Stewardship. It’s as far away from the

Council talking about an annual budget as

you can get. There is a lot of distance

between our last Stewardship Campaign and

the time you submitted your Estimate of

Giving. We’ve even filed our taxes and that

refund is probably long gone or the pain of

submitting a check to the government has

been forgotten.

So why talk about stewardship now?

Without those distractions, we can focus on

the fact that stewardship is about managing

all of life with Christ at the center – it’s

about so much more than the congregation’s

budget. It goes way beyond what we place

into the collection plate. If we place Christ at

the center of our life, we can create

community.

So today, in June, in the middle of the

year let’s talk about things that will help us

create community. Community is defined as

a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result

of sharing common attitudes, interests, and

goals. God creates community. This is also

stewardship. Stewardship is relational as

it unites God's action for others with our

response.

We help to create community in families

when we support parents as they share God's

love with their children. We create

community with our families when we use

love and forgiveness as the glue that holds

things together. We create community for the

homeless, addicted and hungry of our city

that will be in despair without our presence.

In fact our presence in these cases is Christ's

presence for hurting people. This is also

stewardship. Stewardship is relational as

it unites Gods action for others with our

response.

We can create community because Christ

has created us as Christ's body in the world

that God so loves. We can create community

because Christ is busy and present in the

world and He is working through us in our

church community as we reach out to others.

We come together at a regular time each

week so we can listen for what God is doing

in our lives and then we respond by

stewarding important relationships with

Christ at the center. We call this

"stewardship" as we receive our cues from

our relationship to God. Stewardship is

relational.

We create community when we manage

our lives in such a way that what we do is

life-giving and doesn’t compromise God's

good gifts to us and to others. All of life is

important to God. When we take care of the

earth, our families, the people around us, all

our daily gifts and all we need from day to

day, it is called stewardship. Stewardship is

relational.

Oh, yes, we also talk about money.

Money is part of the offering of the gifts that

create community; our prayers, our time, our

work of living in the world as God's people.

Sometimes, we talk about financial resources

because these resources are a part of

stewardship that is relational and creates

community. We are stewards of the

community God is creating each day. That's what all stewards do during June, in the middle

of the year and each and every day, isn't it?

6

The Library Corner Not all books in the

library have the same

themes; some are

historical and this

month’s selection is just

that. If you have any books suitable for the

library, please consider donating them. The

library hours are Monday thru Friday during

office hours and on Sundays.

The Path Between the Seas

By David McCullough

In the Author section

In The Path Between the Seas, historian

McCullough delivers an enthralling drama of

the sweeping human undertaking that led to

the creation of the Panama Canal. This is a

must-read for anyone interested in American

history or the history of science and

engineering, and it is a vivid human drama.

AARP Driver Safety Take the AARP Driver Safety Classroom

Course! Learn proven safety strategies to

maintain your confidence behind the wheel.

Upon completion you may be eligible to

receive an auto insurance discount. Consult

your agent for details.

Tuesday, June 17th, 9am - 3pm

at Christus Victor Lutheran Church

To register please call Ulla at 239-269-6050.

Intern’s Farewell Gift Victoria Larson will complete her internship

on July 13, 2014. If any members would like

to contribute to the Intern’s farewell gift, they

may do so by placing it in an envelope

marked "Intern Farewell Gift" and put it in

the offering plate.

Gifts, Grants and Memorials

Education Fund Applications are available

on the information desk in the Narthex.

Education Grants are available to voting

members of Christus Victor Lutheran

Church.

The grant may be used for persons

accepted or enrolled in a school of higher

education, any post-secondary course of

study, including but not limited to, a public

or private university, trade, technical or

vocational training program. All applications

must be received on or before October 1.

7

The Relay for Life Team would like to

thank you for your tremendous support of our

fund raising efforts.

Together we raised over $8,000 for this

very worthy cause. Because of you, many

people suffering with this disease will receive

the support and help they need.

Thank you Stephen Stidinger for the

wonderful and informative postings on the

Christus Victor Facebook page!!! Now all the

congregation has to do is. .

Saturday, June 7th and at the

same time we will clean our

section of Old 41.

We meet at 8:00 a.m. at the

Banyan tree across from the

Band shell on old US 41.

It is a great experience…bring

the kids.!

Coffee Fellowship Help Is Needed We are in need of volunteers to help put away

the cookies and clean out the coffee pots after

the 10:45 a.m. service on Sundays. There is a

sign-up sheet in the narthex!! Thank you!

8

Education A word from Cheryl Pfaus

Director of Education and Youth

Warm summer greetings! I hope this finds you soaking in the summer sun

(SPF applied, of course!). It sure has been a big year for the Education

Program at CVLC. A brief recap:

Rally Day, September 1: Sunday School kicked off with Intern Victoria and Pastor Tom introducing the

adult Roundtable Pulpit study to wildly popular reception!

October: Vibrant Fall Festival as we welcomed our seasonal friends back to Florida.

November: We thanked Bridget Engdahl as she passed on the torch of Education and Youth Director in pursuit of deepening her faith through the Diakonia Program. http://www.elca.org/en/Our-Work/Global-

Church/Global-Mission/Diakonia. We applaud her for laying the groundwork of a great Education program!

December: Our Advent season focused on the light of Christ and all things bright...and the Star of Wonder

Christmas Program with all of our Lil Lutheran “stars” sharing their faith and talents.

January: Adult volunteers took on leading the adult Sunday School study...special thanks to all who shared their teaching gifts! The Education Team started visioning for the current and future happenings with the

children/youth and the Lil Lutherans Children’s Choir and Newsletter was born!

February: Our Middle Schoolers raised the roof as they dove into their new ministry as the Unique Believer

Project!

March: We lifted our many ‘stones’ as we walked the path of Lent to the foot of the cross. This Lent saw a record number of worship and Soup ‘N Study attendees and the community of faith here at CLVC really

grew! Look at what God is already doing with our stones!

April: As we journeyed to and through Holy Week, we took some unique glimpses at our faith through many

worship opportunities...particularly the Easter Vigil worship service coordinated by Intern Victoria.

May: As we wind down the 2013/2014 Education year, we continue to be blessed by the talents and gifts that God has shared with the members of our faith community. We look forward to June 1 when we will

celebrate our graduates and teachers, the final performance of Lil Lutherans, and the Church Carnival.

Pastor Tom’s sabbatical has certainly inspired a time of peaceful pondering within the

congregation as we look forward to our mission ahead. I pray that you are also soaking in some

personal reflection time with God. Let us join in fellowship and mission with one another as we

watch for God to reveal the path before us...God’s Work, Our Hands! Many thanks and

blessings as you share your faith journey with CVLC and our community.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

9

Sundays this

Summer…get

DRENCHED with

the Word!

All ages are welcome at this multi-generational Bible

study called SPLASH! starting Sunday, June 8.

Join us after worship for a light lunch and refreshing study of God’s Word—summer style!

Invite your friends, bring the whole family and let’s dive in!

Jesus said:

“But those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring

of water gushing up to eternal life.”

John 4:14

Alleluia!

10

High School Youth Group

Faith - Fellowship - Fun

You bring a friend, a group idea and a game &

we’ll bring the pizza!

God has BIG plans in store for YOU...let’s

see how He reveals who we are!

2nd Friday of each month, 6pm—

8pm

9th-12th grades

Unique Believer Project (UBP)

WHO: 5th-8th graders WHEN: last Monday of each month, 6:00-7:30pm

Middle Schoolers will meet on June 30 for Bible time at the Beach!

Let’s have some fun enjoying God’s amazing creation!

Time is extended: 6:00-8:30pm Parents: drop off and pick up at Bonita Beach.

Please sign up with Cheryl Pfaus.

Children’s Choir June 1

10:45am service

Children and Youth

“Jesus said: let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for it is to such as these

that the kingdom of heaven belongs…” Matthew 19:14

11

Thank you and BRAVO to the children and youth of CVLC

who led Youth Sunday on May, 11.

The Youth Group led a Spirit-filled service!

The Lil Lutherans Children’s Choir proudly wore their new choir sashes

and inspired all to sing Jesus Loves Me!

The women of the congregation were lifted up in blessing and love for their

mothering care of all of God’s creation!

Happy

Mother’s

Day!

Sierra Engdahl shared the Message

with the whole congregation!

Christy O’Brien read

the Word like a pro!

Members of the youth group

embracing their God blessed

talents! Thank you!

12

Intern Victoria’s Farewell Luncheon

Happy Trails to You

Donations over and above cost will go to Café of Life in honor of the

Victoria.

Come and bid farewell to Victoria,

at her

Farewell Luncheon on Sunday,

July 13th at 12:00 pm.

Don’t miss the fun! Sign-up sheet is in

the narthex!

BBQ Ribs

Bake Beans

Cole Slaw

Macaroni & Cheese

Fruit

13

13

Luther Springs Camp & Retreat Center 264 Vause Lake Road, Hawthorne, FL 32640

352-546-5554

Www.LutherSprings.com

Dear Christus Victor Lutheran Church,

You will be thrilled with your fine new ministry staff who will soon be staffing your

ministry this summer at Luther Springs and in day camps around the synod. You may not

know their names but they are working on behalf of your congregation’s ministry nonetheless.

They are the Christian young adults who serve through Luther Springs and in our programs

across Florida this summer. They will touch nearly 1,000 lives in the name of Christ this

summer. They have much to do to get ready to welcome hundreds of campers into a Christ-

centered adventure in faith in the coming months.

The gifts from congregations are critical as we incur many costs as we prepare for the

campers arrival.

As you know, Luther Springs is a growing and maturing ministry that has, for the past four

years, been able to complete the ministry year with a fully-funded and paid for budget. This is

a great accomplishment and thanks is due, in part, to the increasing generosity of our

congregations.

Any gift you can send at this time will be a great help. Please send your gift as soon as you

can. “Your staff” will be the first beneficiaries and as the summer rolls along, thousands of

campers whose lives they will bless!

I hope that children and families from your congregation will join us for a great ministry

experience this summer at Luther Springs or in one our programs conducted across the state.

I look forward to your response and the continuing partnership with your congregation.

In Christ,

Lori Spitler

Interim Luther Springs Director

A very Happy Birthday to each and

every one of you! May the year

ahead be filled with wonderful

memories to cherish, and opportu-

nities to serve God wherever He

places them.

If your birthday is incorrect or

missing, please contact the church

office (597-1043) so we can change

or update our records. Thank you.

1 Teaker Harris, Jr.

Marge Starke

3 Bud Beverung

4 Rita Lee

5 Rand Highley

Jim Muckerheide

Ruth Nelson

Will Stearns

6 John Preston

7 Walt Koziol

11 Louise Shelton Madeline Steinmeyer 11 Sheila Buenzle

13 Claudia Rigoni

16 Kathryn Ivanovich

Karen Muckerheide

17 Derek Hanselman

Bruce Palmer

21 Max Kroll

David Chinn

24 Margery Winsett

25 Richard Dore

25 Doug Sweet

26 Neal Albert

27 Robert Anderson

30 Dawn King

Linda Ruhl

Dave Sparks

30 Curtis Tollefsrud

14

THE FOOD COLLECTION for the month of

June is Apple Juice . Please leave your donations in

the grocery carts in the Outreach Center and thank

you for your continued support.

June

The deadline

for the July

Newsletter is

June 19, 2014.

CHURCH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

15

Helen Wright

President

Phyllis Nichols

Vice President/Stewardship

Jim Dupre

Treasurer

Lori Gidwani

Secretary

David Peluchette

Property Ministry

Dave Kandik

Gifts, Grants and Memorials

Rebecca Stearns

Outreach Ministry/

Learning & Youth

Armand Linzmeyer

Parish Life Ministry

Pastor Tom Slater

Worship and Music

John Groth

Associate Member

Representative

Financial report

April 2014

Overall General Operating Donation Income vs. Expenditures

Donations from Select General Operating Funds for the Month

Select Funds Collected YTD Comparison

In Christ, Jim Dupré, Treasur-

229,543.26$ 110,571.02$ 118,972.24$ Year-to-Date

April 2014 April 2013 $ Change % Change

44,265.14$ 34,357.25$ 9,907.89$ 28.84%

3,182.53$ 1,929.50$ 1,253.03$ 64.94%

58,695.67$ 36,398.75$ 22,296.92$ 61.26%

Current Envelope

Loose Offering

Total General Category

194,570.14$ 192,787.25$ 1,782.89$ 0.93%

15,462.53$ 18,407.50$ (2,944.97)$ -16.00%

229,543.26$ 226,014.75$ 3,528.51$ 1.56%

5,815.00$ 4,599.00$ 1,216.00$ 26.44%

4,376.00$ 3,837.00$ 539.00$ 14.05%ELCA Hunger

Mortgage Reduction

Current- Envelope

Loose Offering

Total General Category

SHARING CHRIST THAT ALL MIGHT LIVE VICTORIOUSLY!!

Sunday Worship Services – January through April 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

May through December 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Church Office Hours – Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Phone (239)597-1043 Fax (239) 597-6028

Web page: www.christusvictorfl.org

E-mail: ChristusVictor@ChristusVictorFl.org

THE REV. THOMAS J. SLATER, PASTOR

cell - 239-450-0699

Victoria Larson

239-947-0273

Dawn King Cheryl Pfaus Joyce Reitz

Office Administrator Director of Education & Youth Organist/Choir Director