Christ Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran Church

ISSUE #308

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The Tidings

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Valentine Dinner & Dessert Auction February 15February 15February 15February 15 5:00 PM LICC (gym)5:00 PM LICC (gym)5:00 PM LICC (gym)5:00 PM LICC (gym) Dinner will be served. You may also bring a dessert to be auctioned off!

Guys and Gals you are invited to a night of food and fun and spirited discussion at the Ray-burn’s on the second Sunday of each month. We eat at 6:00 and then share and discuss the book, THE PASTERIX. You don't have to read the book to have an opinion, so feel free to join us in the fellowship. We end our discussion at 7:30. We look forward to having you join us!

Betty Massey is cooking this month. See you on Sunday, February 9, at 6:0 0 at 247 Chestnut.

Love is in the air, and the Tiki players are ready to share it as they gather to play Tiki, Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 pm. Nancy Schoppe and Don

White will be defending their scores. Bring a snack to share and join the fun and fellowship.

Tickets are $10 a person and can be purchased at

any service from Ronnie and Diane Tweedle.

Proceeds from the Dessert Auction will go toward

purchasing new chairs for the LICC.

------- + + + ------- + + + ------- + + + ------- + + + -------

Continue the Fun and Fellowship of the Valentine’s Day Dinner!

SCHOLASTIC BOWL

February 15 at 7 p.m.

Center for Arts and Sciences – in front of Brazosport College

A Fundraiser supporting science education at the Planetarium.

Teams of up to four people put their heads together to answer questions on subjects such as science, the arts, history, geography, current events and local activities. The entry fee for each team is $100 and money is available for high school teams that wish to compete, but do not have the entry fee. Admission is $5 at the door.

Contact Pastor Paul if you would like to form a team, or join one!

PAGE 2 THE T IDINGS

God’s peace,

Pastor Paul Geisler

From the Pastor, to my Partners, . . .

Now for a Gospel lesson: Did you know that our congregation, Christ Lutheran Church, has a second middle name? Our full name is Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Also, twenty-five years ago our church body, the Lutheran Church in America, merged with the American Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches to form the ELCA, taking Evangelical as the first word in the name of this newly-united church body.

The word "evangelical" means "carrying the Good News - the Gospel." With a living and daring confi-dence in God’s grace, we believe that Christ frees us to serve and love our neighbor.

The opening verse of the Gospel of Mark states, "The beginning of the good news (εὐαγγελίου) of Je-sus Christ, Son of God." The Greek word translated is the Greek "good news" represent the noun form of evangelical. You will notice another word contained in the middle of evangelical - angel - a messenger or agent for God. We live "evangelically" we serve as God's angels, carrying good news to others as we serve the world as the hands of Christ.

At their retreat in early January, the congregation council learned about living and ministering evangelically, and they met the challenge of expressing that message of God's Good news in a simple statement of just seven words. Thus they could better understand the full impact of God's grace on their lives, as well as become better able to express the power and joy of that message to others. The council offered some wonderful insights on "evangelical" ministry and mission:

Take the "Seven Word Challenge" yourself, then live "evangelically!"

Story of infinite compassion for clueless humans.

God created for us, and forgives us.

God loves us; show it to others.

We are blessed; go and do likewise

Christ has no hands but mine, yours.

His love, his gift, through the ages.

We're all God's children; spread his love.

Journey to live, forgive, repent, believe, give.

Faith, joy, hope - through Christ.

Grace allows peace and helps direct

life.

The God of Grace - for us all.

God sent his Son - you're move.

Got grace, got God; got God, got grace.

Were lost - now found and forgiven.

Eight words, but much worth including:

For all we've received, how can we

not.

ISSUE #308 PAGE 3

Worship & Music Notes

The daylight hours are still short, but the Light of the World is always with us.

We celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World during as we continue this Epiphany season.

February 2nd – Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple The Holy Spirit had promised Simeon he would not

die before seeing the Messiah. The prophetess, Anna, was also there and talked about the Child to all who

were looking for the liberation of Israel. (Luke 2:22-40)

Three Gospels from the Sermon on the Mount

February 9th – Salt of the Earth and Light of the World. Who benefits from the Christian community?

The world! Just as salt and light don’t exist for their own benefit, our church community of disciples is to

model God’s love and forgiveness. Be the light! (Matt 5:13-20)

February 16th – Jesus “revisits” the Ten Commandments. It had been awhile since Moses had come

down from the mountain with God’s commandments. In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks of the need to em-

brace standards of righteousness that exceed legal requirements and traditional expectations. We are to be

the best person we can be. (Matt 5:21-37)

February 23rd – Jesus declares an end to the law of vengeance. Jesus made clear that it does no good

to love only those who love us, but to love our enemies—the evildoer, persecutor, unrighteous ones. Love

and forgiveness speaks volumes without a word being spoken. (Matt 5:38-48)

We March into Lent

March 2nd – Transfiguration of Jesus. This bridges the seasons of Epiphany into Lent. Not everything

can be a mountaintop experience, but this surely was. After Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, Jesus

had lengthy discussions with his disciples of his upcoming suffering. He took a few of his buddies to the

top of a mountain where his glory was revealed. As at his baptism, God spoke again, this time exhorting

us to listen to Jesus.

Ash Wednesday, March 5th. We will gather to be reminded that we mortal and that God’s

grace is a gift. We receive the symbolic ashes as well as bread and wine.

PAGE 4 ISSUE #308

1 Sharon Drake 16 Skyler Furlow

4 Hope Furlow Duane Rayburn

10 Linda Pirtle 21 Sierra Rieschick

11 Julia Jones 23 Shirley Weirich

Clara Veatch 25 David Naill

12 Paul Stanley 26 Jeffrey Sims

Ruth Wetherell 28 Sammy Chambless

13 Theresa Lydic

Bread for Life Study Group

Wednesday’s, 1:30pm – 2:30pm in the church library. We discuss the readings for the upcom-

ing Sunday. Copies of the appropriate Daily Discipleship are usually on the library table. If you’d like a study copy in advance, go to the ELCA website and type “Daily Discipleship” in the

search. There is no leader, no test, nothing but great fellowship and discussion—and a bit of

chocolate.

Linda Arntsen Verlene Heady Brinly Pirtle Betty Thomas

Marian Arntsen Dennis Jones Steve Ray Bradley Thomas

Kevin Autry Dean Hagedorn Duane Rayburn Dora Updike

Taylor Bedrich Betty Keith Sue Rieschick Clara Veatch

Karrii Billiard’s

Father

David Krieg Doris Schwank George Warren’s

Brother

Alison Blevins Dorothy Krug Kim Shelton Viola Watson

Patricia Bradburn Paul Lydic Ken Smith Westerfield Family

Evelyn Cano Steve Miller Dennis Smith Ruth Wetherell

Ed Cousins Robert Newton Connie Spangenburg Pauline Zabel

Doc Darnell

Property monthly meeting is Feb. 18 at 6:30 PM.

New committee members always welcome!

LIBRARY LINESLIBRARY LINESLIBRARY LINESLIBRARY LINES

Lenten practices focus on fasting,

giving of oneself, and prayer.

Many choose to give something

up in Lent. Why not also consider

taking something on? There are

many choices of devotionals,

books to boost your spiritual

growth, and an assortment of

translations of the Bible to choose

from.

THE T IDINGS PAGE 5

Important Info Concerning Items being Stored at CLC!Important Info Concerning Items being Stored at CLC!Important Info Concerning Items being Stored at CLC!Important Info Concerning Items being Stored at CLC!

Anything stored at the church for use at a later time needs to be contained (in/how/what ever seems appropriate) and labeled so that others will not move it or pitch it without notifying a contact person.

Please complete a label and place it on the item(s). Labels may be picked up on the counter in the church office.

Item used for:________________________

Contact person:______________________

Property is planning a work day(s) beginning in March and would like to see this project completed prior. As everyone knows, work days mean cleaning up and we don't want to disrupt anyone's upcoming plans. Please let Linda McCrery or Don White know if you have questions.

Lord’s Work Income Net Expenses Budget

December $28,034.09 $16,440.17 $17,166.08

Year to Date $202,431.03 $200,354.75 $205,989.00

Building Loan for December Received $19,965.00

Payment $5,300.00 Balance $415,596.50

End of Year Balance in Building Fund $11,738.58

January AVG A7endance……61

YTD Avg. Worship A7endance…61

CLC Property Workdays are coming up!

March 8

March 22

8:00 AM to Noon

PAGE 6 ISSUE #308

Influence! A meaningful Lenten experience for youth, college students, baptized leaders and profes-

sional leaders influenced by the cross, bearing hope to the world.

March 22, 2014 – Messiah Lutheran in Cypress For students, adults, pastors, church leaders, and anyone who wants to ponder the question:

“So what does it mean to be marked with the cross of Christ forever?”

This is a day set aside during Lent to wonder about the influence of the cross in our lives and our own

call to bear that influence on the world. What does it mean to influence?

Speaker Nadia Bolz-Weber is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, an ELCA mission church

in Denver, Colorado. She’s a leading voice in the emerging church movement and her writing can be

found The Christian Century and Jim Wallis’ God’s Politics blog. She is also the author of Salvation on

the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television and the Sarcastic Lutheran blog.

Her theology memoir, Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint came out in September of

2013.

Agenda 9:00 Registration

9:30 Opening Prayer Sign Up Sheet on Bulletin Board

10:00 Keynote in Welcome Area

12:00 Lunch in Affinity Groups for those interested in attending 1:00 Keynote

2:00 Closing Prayer

2:30 Depart

Cost

$60 Adults (includes lunch)

$35 Students (includes lunch)

THE T IDINGS PAGE 7

ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response Blog - January 27, 2014

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Approximately 2.2 million people in the Central African Republic are in need of

humanitarian assistance due to insecurity and intense violence occurring in the

country. The United Na-ons es-mates that 935,000 of these people have been

forced from their homes due to the severity of figh-ng in their area. Some of

these people have found refuge in various loca-ons, such as churches,

and some of these people are living in the bush, running from figh-ng groups

as they a3ack nearby villages.

For Fredd and his family, the violence in their area started on a late Friday morning. As the violence con-n-

ued that night, he and his family decided to move into the bush away from the village to spend the night in a friend's

field about 10 kilometers away. As they traveled, they came across several other people who were also fleeing.

"A Muslim man came and told us that someone had informed the Seleka that all those who lived on the east side of

the village were Chris-an and those to the west were Muslim, so the Seleka were planning to move into the east and

search for people even in the bush," Fredd says. "We decided to walk under the cover of darkness through the bush

to the west side of town."

Fredd and his family con-nued to walk to the next village since they could hear heavy gunfire from behind

them. Within the group, there were several children, including three babies all under five months old. "The older

children, including my eight-year-old daughter, all walked, while we carried the smaller ones," Fredd says.

A;er walking through the next day and night, they decided to stop for a half hour to rest. Fredd's wife then caught a

high fever and she couldn't walk. "We wrapped her in thick cloth, but she was s-ll trembling very hard and complain-

ing of cold," Fredd says. "We knew she had malaria."

Fredd started to worry about what would happen to his wife if she died. Would he be able to bury her, or

would he have to leave her body behind and follow the rest of the group? The group made a small fire and put her

feet by it and prayed. A;er a couple of hours, Fredd's wife felt be3er and she could walk again.

"This was a miracle for me," Fredd says. "She had been treated with prayer and a small fire. We walked for 12 days

and finally made it to the clinic. Had it not been for the Muslim man, I believe this story would be different. I might

not be telling this story."

The Seleka rebel group is a largely Muslim alliance that seized the capital in March 2013. The group is now referred

to as ex-Seleka rebels because the alliance has officially, but not ac-vely nor effec-vely, disbanded. A mostly-

Chris-an alliance, known as the an--Balaka, formed in response to the Seleka rebel group and has also played a large

role in a3acks in the country. While both of these groups tend to be labeled by their religious affilia-on, the figh-ng

in the Central African Republic is not bound by the lines of religious war. The conflict in the country is a result of po-

li-cal power and economic grievances. Fredd's story illustrates the understanding that peace cannot be achieved

alone—an inter-faith response is needed.

Lutheran Disaster Response – Interna-onal is working with Lutheran World Federa-on and our companion church,

the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (EELRCA), to provide food assistance to IDPs in the

CAR. We are also working with our companion church to play a role in peace-building and reconcilia-on between

Muslim and Chris-an communi-es in the country.

As many of you know, we support ELCA missionary Susan Smith, serving in the Central African Republic. Read

excerpts from her blog in this newsle!er, as well as at: susan-car.blogspot.com.

PAGE 8 ISSUE #308

2014 Church Directories can be picked up in the Welcome Area.

Remember to turn in empty printer cartridges to the church office.

They are turned in for recycling. The office gets points for each one turned in which comes back as

credit for office supply purchases.

THE T IDINGS PAGE 9

For me this has been a good week. What a pleasure to be able to say that. Yes, there are still a lot

of insecurity, looting, and violence in the Central African Republic. The border is officially open,

but there is little traffic.

CAR has a new president – a woman who was the Mayor of Bangui and seems to be well-respected on all sides. The

Prime Minister has now also been named: Nzapayeke André. I think the name is very hopeful. In Sango Nzapayeke means, “God exists” or “God is there.” He is Christian. There was tension over the naming of the PM because the

Seleka were demanding that it be one of them. Others said that the Seleka had had a year with a one of them as Presi-

dent with disastrous results. There was not increased violence with the naming – a small step in the right direction.

Next, the cabinet members will be named. I, personally, hope that Muslims will hold some of those positions and

more women, too.

This week an contractor came to work on the double guest house to stop up holes, clear out bats, and put screening on

the chimneys so they can’t get back in that way. ... Some very green mangos are also starting to appear on the trees

which means one of my favorite fruits will be available in 4-6 week! Yeah!

May peace and security quickly return to CAR. May the peace of God that passes all understanding be with us

all.

Amidst all the violence, fear, gunfire, and desire for revenge, I have been thinking a lot about appropriate responses. I have also been thinking about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who would have been 85 years old on January 15, 2014.

Yesterday, the national holiday commemorated him. So, instead of my writing a blog, I am taking one of his sermons

from 1957 based on Matthew 5:38-45.

(excerpted) The Greek language comes out with a special word for love: agape, something of the understanding, crea-

tive, redemptive goodwill for all men. It is a love that seeks nothing in return. It is an overflowing love; it’s what theo-logians would call the love of God working in the lives of men. And when you rise to love on this level, you begin to

love men, not because they are likeable, but because God loves them. You look at every man, and you love him be-

cause you know God loves him. And he might be the worst person you’ve ever seen.

And this is what Jesus means, I think, when he says, "Love your enemy." And it’s significant that he does not say,

"Like your enemy." Like is a sentimental something, an affectionate something. There are a lot of people that I find it difficult to like. I don’t like what they do to me. I don’t like what they say about me and other people. I don’t like their

attitudes. I don’t like some of the things they’re doing. I don’t like them. But Jesus says love them. And love is greater

than like. Love is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all men, so that you love everybody, because God loves

them. You refuse to do anything that will defeat an individual, because you have agape in your soul. And here you come to the point that you love the individual who does the evil deed, while hating the deed that the person does. This

is what Jesus means when he says, "Love your enemy." This is the way to do it. When the opportunity presents itself

when you can defeat your enemy, you must not do it.

…

Hate for hate only intensifies the existence of hate and evil in the universe. If I hit you and you hit me and I hit you

back and you hit me back and go on, you see, that goes on ad infinitum. [tapping on pulpit] It just never ends. Some-where somebody must have a little sense, and that’s the strong person. The strong person is the person who can cut off

the chain of hate, the chain of evil. And that is the tragedy of hate, that it doesn’t cut it off. It only intensifies the exist-

ence of hate and evil in the universe. Somebody must have religion enough and morality enough to cut it off and inject

within the very structure of the universe that strong and powerful element of love.

Susan in the Central African Republic Bat-Free and Updates Sunday, January 26, 2014

(excerpted from http://susan-car.blogspot.com)

Loving Your Enemies Tuesday, January 21, 2014

ISSUE #308 PAGE 10

February 2 February 9

8:00 10:30 8:00 10:30

Acolytes Jeff Sims Riley Matteck

Readers Debbie Smith Kaarri Billiard Betty Massey Jean Warren

Ushers Duane Rayburn Pat Northam

Robert Drake Floyd Ellington

Paul Romine Leota Ronime

George Warren Don White

Greeters Bob Lundahl Barbara Lundahl

Louise Drake Betty Marshall Sharon White

Ppt Tech Patty Northam Kathy Sims Dave McCrery Brydon Geisler

Musician Sandy Naill Sandy Naill Mary Morgan Mary Morgan

M Counters Floyd Ellington/Dave Naill Mary Morgan/Don White

February 16 February 23

8:00 10:30 8:00 10:30

Acolytes Maddie Bone Eli Matteck

Readers Dave McCrery Linda McCrery Paul Romine Liz Ellett

Ushers Dave Naill Sandy Naill

Donna Tetlow Jose Saavedra

Pat Northam Patty Northam

Floyd Ellington George Warren

Greeters Margaret Janke Julie Saavedra Mark Jessop Daniel Wand Sandra Wand

Ppt Tech Shane Pirtle Carrie Baker Dave McCrery Byrdon Geisler

Musician Linda Pirtle Linda Pirtle Sandy Naill Sandy Naill

M Counters Marv Dettloff/Linda McCrery Kaarri Billiard/Dave McCrery

New Address:

Julie and Jose Saavedra

103 Deerwood

Lake Jackson TX 77566

Irv and Louise Humes

4697 US Hwy 69 N

Lufkin TX 75904-8953

THE T IDINGS PAGE 11

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

2

8:00 & 10:30 AM Worship Sunday School 9:15 AM Food Pantry Offer-ing

3 3 PM Society of St Stephen Parlor 6 PM F2F Class Parlor 7 PM-Boy Scouts

4

4:30 PM Confirmation Class

5 1:30 PM Bread for Life 6:30 PM Adult Choir

6 6:30 PM Tiki

7 Scouts Fer-tilizer Deliv-ery

8

9 8:00 & 10:30 AM Worship Sunday School 9:15 AM 6 PM- Rayburn’s Home Group

10

6 PM F2F Class Parlor 7 PM-Boy Scouts

11 4:30 PM Confirmation Class 6:30 PM-Property Com-mittee 7 PM-Finance Committee

12 1:30 PM Bread for Life 6:30 PM Adult Choir

13

14 15 5 PM Valen-tine Dinner & dessert Auc-tion LICC

16 8:00 & 10:30 AM Worship Sunday School 9:15 AM

17 6 PM F2F Class Parlor

7 PM-Boy Scouts

18 4:30 PM Confirmation Class 6:30 PM Proper-ty Committee

19

1:30 PM Bread for Life 6:30 PM Adult Choir

20

7 PM Church Council Meeting

21

22

23 8:00 & 10:30 AM Worship Sunday School 9:15 AM

24 6 PM F2F Class Parlor 7 PM-Boy Scouts

25 4:30 PM Confirmation Class

26 1:30 PM Bread for Life 6:30 PM Adult Choir

27

28

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

86 Plantation Drive/ P.O. Box 948

Lake Jackson, TX 77566

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….. clcoffice@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

• Dr Susan Smith…..Serving in Central African Republic

• 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

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 9:00 AM