THE MACEDONIAN J u l y 2 0 1 9

Y e a r 2 0 1 9 V o l u m e 7

150th Facts & News 1

Sunday School Changes 2

Council Notes 3

Care Ministry Pages 4&5

Special Thank You 5

Hometown Mission Trip 6 &7

Old Time Service 7

Community Meal 8

Blood Drive 8

Backpack Meeting 8

Day Camp 8

New Phones 9

Summer of Psalms 9

Memorials & Gifts 9

Burlington Royals 9

Service Schedule 10

Birthdays 10

Calendar 11

Visitation Information 12

Staff Information 12

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

M a c e d o n i a

E v a n g e l i c a l

L u t h e r a n

421 W. Front St

Burlington, NC

336 227-5554

150th Celebration Facts and News “Led by God with thanksgiving for the past,

joyfully serving our neighbor in the present, and anticipating the future”

News:

First, thanks to all who helped prepare and present our first celebration on June 2nd. From the responses we have received, the “1869 Worship Service” and congregational meal was much enjoyed and appreciated. Thanks to those brave souls who dressed the part. Thou madest the day even more special.

Our next celebration will be a birthday party on Wednesday, August 14, at 5:30. We will provide hot dogs, fixings, birthday cake, and ice cream. We plan to have some “old” games like “three-legged race”, sack race, wheelbarrow, maybe even horseshoes. If you are brave maybe you will participate in the water balloon toss. Also, we will gather at the corner of the Sanctuary under the portico and open the time capsule that was placed there in 1964. We plan to add some updated items to the container. Along those lines, if you have an idea of something to include, please share with Heilig Barnwell (heiligmiller@yahoo.com) or Bill Poovey (poov@triad.rr.com).

We are still looking for “old” photos and artifacts for a display. If you have something to share and loan to the cause, please contact Bill Poovey.

The committee has commemorative items such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, art prints, and note cards available for order/sale. Proceeds from the sale will be used to help offset the costs of the 150th.

Facts: In 1892 the North Carolina Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society adopted

Macedonia’s new building project as their first ever Home Mission Support. In 1896 six Luther Leagues were the first in the state to be formed, with Macedonia

being one of the six. In 1903 Pastor W.W.J. Ritchie decided to plant the entire churchyard in peanuts. This

led to a special church council meeting in which the pastor offered to resign but was not accepted. There is no mention of how well the crop faired or what was done with the peanuts.

Between 1904 and 1912, the Rev. C. Brown Cox served as minister. Pastor Cox is credited with the establishment of the Alamance County Ministers’ Association.

Prior to 1921 both the Tennessee Synod (Western NC) and the NC Synod (Center to Eastern NC) served the state of NC. On June 10, 1919 at a meeting at Macedonia, the two synods voted to merge as the North Carolina Synod as part of the United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA), effective 1921. At that same meeting, the Rev. Earl K. Bodie was ordained. Pastor Bodie retired to Burlington in the sixties, joined Macedonia, and served as interim pastor when Pastor Hoyle Whiteside accepted a call in Statesville.

The first Vacation Bible School at Macedonia was held in 1931. Mrs. E.H. Foley was the leader.

Our boy scout troop #39 was first chartered in 1928. At 91 years old, it is one of the oldest in the state.

A kindergarten was started at Macedonia in in 1943 but was closed in 1949. In 1949, Macedonia Pastor Dr. J.L. Norris was given a 3-month leave of absence to

head up the Lutheran Resettlement Committee of NC. The committee relocated 259 refugees from Europe to North Carolina.

In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the congregation, the NC Synod meeting was held at Macedonia with President George Whittecar presiding. Dr. Whittecar was the father of our own Ruth Matkins.

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T H E M A C E D O N I A N

` No summer dates. See You When School

Starts!

The Old-time Sunday School Hour is Changing! Did you know that what we know as "traditional Sunday School" is actually a fairly new way of approaching faith formation? For nearly 1800 years, the worldwide Church grew, learned, and passed on the faith stories to children in an intergenerational setting, both at church and at home. Separating people by age and using a school model with classrooms and teachers is even newer in the United States!

Most of us have had valuable and fun learning experiences in traditional Sunday School with loving and generous teachers. We gathered with kids our own age, and we were taught in "age appropriate" ways. There were lots of volunteers and lots of children whose parents found value in the classroom model. Many of you have fond memories of Sunday School, and many of you have devoted years of time and energy and love as Sunday School teachers. It was a good and grace-filled thing!

But, times have been changing. The traditional Sunday School model may no longer be working in the ways that it used to. Throughout the country (even in very large churches with lots of kids) regular attendance in Sunday School has been trending way down. Some churches are scrapping Sunday School altogether, some are trying to hold on while the numbers of volunteers and participants keep dropping, and some are looking at new and different ways to teach the faith both on Sundays and throughout the week at home.

Macedonia is going to be one of those brave churches who will be trying out something new (or rather old) next year! The Christian Education/Faith Formation committee has been wrestling with this challenge throughout this spring and summer, and we are excited to begin a bit of an experiment this fall. Macedonians of all ages are invited to meet together each week onSunday morning in Luther Hall at 9:00. There will be fellowship (with simple food and coffee/juice), worship (singing a song or two), teaching (reading or retelling a Bible story), fun (various activities related to the story), small group sharing, prayers, and blessings. We would love to see families participating together and then bringing the conversation home to chew on throughout the week. We would love to see children learning from and getting to know many different adults, and those adults also learning from and getting to know their younger sisters and brothers. Our adult classes will continue to meet as they are; we are not looking to take away classes where people feel fed. But everyone will always be welcome to visit or even to lead on a Sunday or two if he or she feels led.

Are you a storyteller? Musician? Artist? Do you want to serve children and their families? We'd love to have six or eight individuals or pairs (couples would be fun!) who would lead each week on a rotating basis. Your responsibilities would not commit you to an entire year, but rather you could focus your energy and passion into one or two Sundays per semester. If this sounds intriguing to you, please consider joining the leadership team!

Look for more information to come, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact Julie Russell, Ellen Greeson, or Pastor Goeres.

With your help, this could also be a good and grace-filled thing!

Y e a r 2 0 1 9 V o l u m e 7 Page 3

The work of a Council or Board is defined in three areas: Fiduciary, Strategic, and Generative. Fiduciary work is the general day-to-day nuts and bolts of operations, financial oversight, creating policies, protecting assets, and implementing programs. Strategic involves taking a vision and making and implementing the necessary plans to move the organization forward. Generative is probably the hardest effort. It involves looking over the horizon and trying to envision who or what an organization wants or should be. It recognizes and identifies the institutional values that matter. From this work vision and mission statements are born (some might call it “brain storming”). At our June Council meeting, it was an exciting privilege to participate with the members of the Council as they answered this question: “Is the Kingdom of God being expanded by the work of this Council? If so how?” In short, the consensus of the Council was Yes! Because of the many things our committees and members do, we sometimes fail to stop and look at how far we have come. Many of the council members commented on the very positive attitude of the congregation in the past few years. Sharing of the peace and a general concern for one another was also cited. Our many outreach programs such as Community meal and backpack program are making differences in the lives of many. We are moving forward; it just seems that maybe we get impatient to do more and lose sight of how much has been accomplished. We also need to recognize; we move at God’s pace and not our own. We are concerned that we be inclusive and are providing opportunities for all to be engaged in our mission. We are especially concerned for our families with young children and their struggle to provide stability, and a faith-based environment for their home in a fast paced and ever-changing world. Which leads into the following paragraph. This past month, I was also impressed by the work being done by our Faith Formation Task Group (Christian Education and Youth). This group, probably more than any other in our congregation is keenly aware of the struggles of families with young children. They have spent numerous hours trying to identify ways to assist families with their faith formation. Traditional programs such as Vacation Bible School and Sunday School are no longer fulfilling the needs of the families. Society at large no longer honors Sundays as a holy sabbath. All of us are drawn in multiple directions by competing activities not only during the work week, but throughout weekends as well. Attendance at VBS and Sunday School is much lower than it used to be. This has a negative impact on our volunteers who take time away from their own families to prepare lessons and activities to fulfill a faith formation structure that was designed for years gone by. Some Sundays a teacher may have only one student (or fewer) attend. Recruitment under these circumstances is difficult. Something must change. The Task group is proposing a new approach to the Sunday morning educational opportunities for youth and others to be offered this fall. I hope each of you will read the letter from the Committee and study their plans (see article on opposite page). I hope you will see the benefit of working together for this common goal. Perhaps you will answer the call to help as a facilitator, storyteller, or cookie baker. This is vitally important work. I hope each of you will take the time to reflect on where we are as a congregation. I think you will agree with the council that we have come far in the past few years. Yes, we still have a way to go. And just maybe we need to stop every so often to catch our breath. But there is no doubt that we are in the midst of a Spirit-led journey. So, put on some comfortable shoes and walk with us. God Bless Charlie Harris

Council Notes

T H E M A C E D O N I A N

P a g e 4

KEEP THE BEAT - BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK - SUNDAY, JULY 14th A good health path includes keeping track of your blood pressure. Have your numbers checked by medical professionals who will take and record your blood pressure on Sunday, July 14th directly following the worship service. Look for the large poster and table and chairs in the narthex of the church.

Monthly Medication Drop-Off . Bring your expired, unwanted or unused liquid and pill medications every month on the second Sunday (same as the Blood Pressure Checks). Drop them in the box provided located near the Blood Pressure Check station in the narthex area.

HELPING HANDS MINISTRY Call either one of the Coordinators, Bill Poovey 336-675-7972 or John Pertschi 336-516-1461 to discuss how Helping Hands can be of service to you! Helping Hands are available to assist with a wide variety of inside and outside chores/repairs/maintenance items as well.

PRAYER TEAMS AT WORSHIP – Prayers and Blessings! A team of two people will be available to offer prayer and/or blessing (with anointing oil, if desired) following the worship service. Please find them at the front of the sanctuary, to the right side of the baptismal font. All conversations will be held in confidence.

If you are interested in serving on the Worship Service Prayer Team and would like additional information, please contact Melinda Menz 336-270-6627 or melindamenz@gmail.com or Gail Pertschi 336-269-4193 or gailpertschi3579@triad.rr.com.

FREE MOVIES FOR SENIORS

Rich and Thompson sponsors the first Thursday of each month at 10 AM at Graham Cinema.

Paramount Theater on Front Street in downtown Burlington offers free movies to seniors, sponsored by Lowes Funeral Parlor and Hospice, on the second Thursday of each month at 10 AM. Free admission

The Health & Wholeness Team provides monthly health themes through newsletter articles, and brochures, website links, articles from reputable authors/organizations.

The theme for the month of July is Health Tips for Summer

by Jayne Tapia for the Health and Wholeness Committee Don’t forget to keep hydrated during the heat of summer. Always take a bottle or two of water when you go out and keep sipping all day long. It is so easy to become dehydrated. It happened to me when I went to the Grand Canyon last year. Even though I had a small bottle of water with me in the heat, I found out the hard way that it wasn’t enough. So now I drink extra amounts when I’m out in the heat. Normally we should drink eight to ten glasses per day, but if you are out in the heat for any length of time exercising, working, or playing, you need to double the amount you normally drink.

Another thing to remember is to use sunscreen and wear a hat when out in the sun. This is very important for everyone, including young children. It was recently revealed that more damage is done to the skin when we are young, even though it doesn’t show up as a problem until we are in our older years.

Y e a r 2 0 1 9 V o l u m e 7 Page 5

Prayer Group-

Over the summer we gather for prayer once a month. Wednesday, July 10, & August 14 ~ 9:30 am ~ Room 10.

Prayer requests are welcome at any time. Join us for an hour of prayer and fellowship. Prayer groups not your thing? No problem. We welcome you to join us in prayer from wherever you happen to be on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings of each month. Prayer Group leader: Gail Pertschi, text or call 336-269-4193, gailpertschi3579@triad.rr.com.

PRAYER SHAWLS –Our meetings

are on the 4th

Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Coordinator: Sandee Jackson, 336- 447-4355, or text to 336-684-4098 or email with any questions to sandeejackson@triad.rr.com

A Monthly Idea or Resource on Prayer

will resume in the fall. Prayer Notes

Walk Group meets Fridays, 9:30 to 10:30am. We begin each Friday with a brief devotion and discussion followed by about an hour of walking. Meet in the lobby of the Boland Community Building at Twin Lakes rain or shine. Participants may choose to use the indoor walking track or walking outside around the Twin Lakes Community. Everyone walks at their own pace. Your attendance can be as flexible as you would like it to be. For additional information, contact Gail Pertschi at 336-269-4193 (call/text) or email at gailpertschi3579@triad.rr.com.

July 8 Bring a bag lunch and visit Maple View Farm in Hillsborough for ice cream. August 12 Trip to Mrs. Hanes Cookie Shop in Clemmons for a tour ($5) and then out for lunch... any ideas??? We will need to make reservations for the tour, so let us know you are coming.

Older Wiser Lutheran Seniors = OWLS!!

*WE USUALLY TAKE AUGUST OFF, BUT WITH JANUARY'S WEATHER SO UNPREDICTABLE, WE HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE JANUARY OFF INSTEAD.

Dear Macedonia Family,

We deeply appreciate all of your prayers, messages, calls, cards, food, and other expressions of support during Ruth’s shoulder surgery and recuperation this spring. Everything has gone exceedingly well, and rehab is continuing for full recovery. With thanks and love to all, Ruth and Don Matkins

SPECIAL WORDS OF THANK YOU TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY

P a g e 6

HOMETOWN MISSION TRIP 2019

T H E M A C E D O N I A N

T H E M A C E D O N I A N

Y e a r 2 0 1 9 V o l u m e 7 Page 9

CELEBRATING OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE FROM 1869

06/02/2019

HOMETOWN MISSION TRIP 2019 First we organize... we gather... we work hard….Then we gather for prayer as one.

Although tired from the work with achy muscles and bones, what a wonderful weekend of fellowship with our neighbors helping in our community!

The next Community meal will be July 21, with food provided by Twin Lakes Community. Please join us as we welcome our neighbors for food and Christian fellowship!

Community Meal

Blood Drive, July 23

Please consider donating the gift of life! Contact Connie Poovey if you are interested in more information!

The next American Red Cross blood drive will be held at Macedonia (in Luther Hall) on Tuesday, July 23 from 2:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors to give now to ensure blood is available for patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations.

P a g e 8

AGAPE DAY CAMP Macedonia is assisting First Reformed UCC (our neighbors down the street) in hosting Camp Agape's Day Camp the week of July 21-26. The goal is to bring the talents and enthusiasm of a camp staff to the disadvantaged children (rising 1st thru 5th graders) in our neighborhood. The Agape staff are bringing a wealth of program ideas along with a relational ministry style to meet these kids' needs. This is a five-day program designed for youth entering grades 1-5. If you would like to help provide an evening meal for the Agape staff or a simple lunch for the children participating in the day camp, please contact Connie Poovey at 336-260-5195. Thank you!

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

A short meeting will be held after worship on Sunday, July 14

to discuss the upcoming school year and our continued involvement with

Turrentine Middle School. If you've helped in the past or have interest in knowing more about this

important ministry, please join us in the Brotherhood room (room 16).

Turrentine Backpacks

T H E M A C E D O N I A N

Designated for General Fund

In memory of Henry Frenke by: Ms. Karen Frenke

In memory of Greg Myers by: Sara De Loache

In memory of Ralph Meares by: Sara De Loache

In memory of Pearl Way by: Sara De Loache

In memory of Tom De Loache by: Sara De Loache

In honor of Lindsey & Richard Goeres for their love and support of our church.

by: Sara De Loache

Designated for Backpack Fund

In memory of Pearl Way by: Mrs. Eloise Bryan

Dianne Morgan

Designated for Memorial Fund

In memory of Ella Mueller by: Ladies Circle #4

In memory of Bill Dugan by: Mr. & Mrs. Bill Poovey

In memory of Rev. Raymond Petrea by: Mrs. Beatrice Petrea

Designated for Scholarship Fund

In memory of Greg Myers by: Mrs. Julie Myers

Mr. & Mrs. Clif Rippenhagen Fuller Dental Practice

Mr. & Mrs. David Gyoerkoes Mr. & Mrs. Doug Myers Mr. & Mrs. Randy Waid

M

EM

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IALS

& G

IFTS

P a g e 9 Y e a r 2 0 1 9 V o l u m e 7

NEW OFFICE PHONE AND ENTRY SYSTEM

Thank you all for your patience these last two weeks as we have been learning our new phone and door systems! We would like you to note that there is only one incoming phone number. In the past you could dial (and may still have on your preset redial) 336-227-5555. The only number that is now active for the church is 336-227-5554. We have several lines to answer your call. In the instance where your call can not be answered immediately, please leave a message. We will do our best to get back with you as soon as possible. The phone system switches over to the evening messaging at 4:00 PM.

You will notice a new speaker box connected to the wall to the left of the back door of the educational building. This is part of the new entry system. Please press the white rectangular section. We will say hello and ask who is visiting. Please let us know who you are and we will buzz you in. Thank you!

WILL YOU BE THERE ??

We have reserved the first base side picnic shelter for the JULY 14th—6:30 PM

Burlington Royal’s baseball game.

Tickets can be gotten from Barbara Lilienthal for $15 and include entrance to the game, all you can eat hot dogs, chips, pizza, and soda.

SERVICE SCHEDULES FOR JULY

Lay Readers 7/7 Ned Thigpen 7/14 Tom Macklin 7/21 Connie Poovey 7/28 Jayne Tapia Bread Bakers 7/7 Barbara Lentz 7/14 Connie Poovey 7/21 7/28 Sandee Jackson Communion Assistants 7/7 Barbara Lentz, Jennifer Baker 7/14 Emily Pope, Sheila Gibson, Pattie Graves 7/21 Cathi Mohundro, Jayne Tapia 7/28 Connie Poovey, Bill Poovey Communion Preparers 7/7 Roger Meisenbach 7/14 Frank Rhue 7/21 Yvonne White 7/28 Barbara Lilienthal Presenting Communion Elements 7/7 Barbara Lentz 7/14 Connie Poovey & Celebration Class 7/21 7/28 LaVonne Rhue, Sandee Jackson Nursery 7/7 Melinda Menz, Alexa Jacobo 7/14 Jan LaHayne, Ruth Matkins 7/21 Heilig Barnwell, Max Van Fleet 7/28 Robin Willis, Maisy Baker Flowers 7/7 White Family 7/14 Cobb Family 7/21 Graves Family 7/28 Gee Family Greeters 7/7 Gail Pertschi, Jane Aycock Dave & Diane Robinson 7/14 Chris Russell family, Barbara Lilienthal Barrett Brown 7/21 Frank & Lavonne Rhue Clif & Lucy Rippenhagen 7/28 Don & Ruth Matkins Jim & Elaine Ysteboe Sound System 7/7 Frank Rhue 7/14 Danny Van Fleet 7/21 & 7/28 Brett Bass Dust Covers 7/7 & 7/14 Millie Miller, Robin Huffman 7/21 & 7/21 Connie Poovey, Barbara Lilienthal

Prayer Teams 7/7 Gail Pertschi, Yvonne White 7/14 Frank & LaVonne Rhue 7/21 Debbie Riggs, Melinda Menz 7/28 Jayne Tapia, Dave Robinson Ushers Chief, Tommy Turner —Ass’t, Steve Barnwell Ron Reeger, Bill Claypool, Richard Johnson Dave Robinson, Buster Goodman

Men of Macedonia will NOT meet again until September 5th. WELCA Board will Not meet in July. Macedonia’s week for Meals on Wheels: July 22-July 26.

Women’s and Men’s Schedules for July

P a g e 1 0

Amanda Shoop 7/02

Richard Johnson

Wayne Davison

Albert Satterfield 7/03

Alyse Tickle

Violet Patton

Zayn Nicola

Gary Logan 7/ 04

Chris Campbell 7/06

Jane Ybanez

Mason Pifer

Les Van Fleet 7/08

Shawn Easter 7/09

Dylan Easter 7/10

George Lentz Sr.

Lilly La Plante

Carlton Boland 7/12

Pearl Gillham 7/13

Ronald Reeger

Sarah Schumacher

Jane Cleary 7/14

Zane Van Fleet

Carson Tolley 7/15

Jay Tolley

Julie Faris 7/18

Reed La Plante 7/20 Michael Lynch

Paul Richardson

Davis Poovey 7/25

Elizabeth De Loache 7/26

John Owen

Sylvia Harris

Dylan McGuire 7/27

Janice Plumblee 7/28

Maura Easter

Rune Simeonsson 7/29

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Macedonia Lutheran Church 421 West Front Street Burlington, NC 27215 Ph. 336-227-5554 Website: www.MacedoniaLutheran.com Email: office@macedonialutheran.com Church Council President—Charlie Harris Twin Lakes Community President/CEO—Pam S. Fox

Office Manager: Mrs. Cindi McCarthy Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday After hours contacts Pastor Richard Goeres Email: pastorgoeres@macedonialutheran.com

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JULY 2019 Deadline for August 2019 Newsletter 7/15/19