first and last words—living the resurrection · 2019-03-20 · challenge objective of doing...

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Bingo Night 2 Holy Week Schedule 3 Enrichment Time 4 Health Ministry 6 Stephen Ministry 8-9 Youth Page 11 Notes & Notices 12 Worship Assistants 13 Prayer Concerns 14 Sponsors 15 Outreach Challenge 5 Medallion Congregation 7 From Bishop Eaton 10 Striving to mirror Christ in word and action by reaching out to serve others! Our Mission Statement Journeys Inside this issue: April 2019 Volume 18, Issue 4 is a monthly publication of St. Paul Lutheran Church First and Last Words—Living the Resurrection Then he said to me, ʺIt is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end… Revelation 21:6 The cross… supposedly a fearful people’s nal word. “It is nished”… the last words of a Sacricial Lamb A tomb, the heavy stone, all sealed up tight… normally the last testi- mony to one’s earthly life. An anxious citizenry, a faithless king, a Roman governor all hoped that this man Jesus was forever silenced and would no longer “trouble” the people and the ter- ritory with radical words of grace and love and mighty miracles of new life. His crucixion, death, and burial was to be the end… the very last word. But God, the Creator of all things new, allowed their “last words” to be God’s rst words of hope and faith and God’s primary word of new creation. Millions upon millions of Christians have been daily and weekly repeating those same intentioned last words “crucied, died, and was buried” as part of our creedal profession of faith, proclaiming with those harsh realities the actual beginning of a whole new story… with so much more to tell. What was supposed to be the closing comments has become the opening statement. What some hoped would forever shut the door, opened wide the gates of a new day a new way to live and believe a new life that never ends. While some wrongly believed it was the nal chapter, PASTOR MURRAY (Continued on page 4)

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Page 1: First and Last Words—Living the Resurrection · 2019-03-20 · challenge objective of doing something easy, inexpensive and achievable, our Outreach challenge for this month will

Bingo Night 2

Holy Week Schedule 3

Enrichment Time 4

Health Ministry 6

Stephen Ministry 8-9

Youth Page 11

Notes & Notices 12

Worship Assistants 13 Prayer Concerns 14

Sponsors 15

Outreach Challenge 5

Medallion Congregation 7

From Bishop Eaton 10

Striving to mirror Christ

in word and action by reaching

out to serve others!

Our Mission

Statement

Journeys

Inside this issue:

April 2019 Volume 18, Issue 4

is a monthly publication of St. Paul Lutheran Church

First and Last Words—Living the Resurrection Then he said to me, ʺIt is done! I am

the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning

and the end… Revelation 21:6

The cross…

supposedly a fearful people’s

final word.

“It is finished”…

the last words

of a Sacrificial Lamb

A tomb,

the heavy stone,

all sealed up tight…

normally the last testi-

mony

to one’s earthly life.

An anxious citizenry,

a faithless king,

a Roman governor

all hoped that this man

Jesus

was forever silenced

and would no longer

“trouble”

the people and the ter-

ritory

with radical words of grace and love

and mighty miracles of new life.

His crucifixion,

death,

and burial

was to be the end…

the very last word.

But God, the Creator of all things new,

allowed their “last words”

to be God’s first words of hope and

faith

and God’s primary word

of new creation.

Millions upon millions

of Christians

have been daily and weekly

repeating those same

intentioned last words

“crucified, died, and

was buried”

as part of our creedal

profession of faith,

proclaiming with those

harsh realities

the actual beginning

of a whole new story…

with so much more to

tell.

What was supposed to

be

the closing comments

has become

the opening statement.

What some hoped

would

forever shut the door,

opened wide the gates of a new day

a new way to live and believe

a new life that never ends.

While some wrongly believed it was

the final chapter,

PASTOR MURRAY (Continued on page 4)

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Page 2

COUNCIL CORNER

2019 Congregational

Council:

President:

Kathleen Preston

V. President:

Jack Bedell

Secretary:

Carole Reiner

Finance: Scott Allen

Elder: Alice Schatz

Deacon: Monica Farias

Trustee: Frank Tees

Lay Minister:

Mackenzie Nolan

Community Minister:

Christian Bakken

Pastor Murray D. Finck

Deacon Lynne Prechel

Volume 18, Issue 4

Pastor Murray has a new email address!

Please correct your copy of the new directory

and your contact lists to: [email protected] 

Bingo Night Fundraiser

St. Paul is hosting our 1st annual

Bingo Night fundraiser on May 31 in

support of our youth outreach pro-

gram. The event will be held in the fel-

lowship hall at St. Paul Lutheran

Church. Since their inception, our

youth fundraiser events have raised

over $300,000 for our outreach pro-

grams. We offer many ways for our

supporters to participate in this event:

join us for dinner and play bingo,

become an event or table sponsor

where you can advertise your busi-

ness or organization for $100, $150,

or $300,

donate items that can be used as

bingo door prizes or in the silent

auction (contact Linda Kelton)

make a cash contribution to the

event.

The proceeds from this fundraiser

are used to support the youth of St.

Paul Lutheran Church in their commit-

ment to community outreach activities.

Some of the services the youth have

provided include:

A trip to celebrate faith and serve

the underprivileged in struggling

cities,

Stocking food shelves and serving

meals to the hungry in our commu-

nity.

Providing Christmas presents and

dinners for children and families in

need.

Supporting outreach agencies: Path-

ways of Hope, Meals on Wheels of

Fullerton, Fullerton Hot Meals Min-

istry, La Habra Community Re-

source Center, and Joya Scholars.

If you have any questions, please con-

tact Kathleen Preston between at kath-

[email protected]

February Financial Highlights

For February year to date our income declined $14,421 which was offset by a

decline in expenses of $13,023. We continue to control our expenses as best as pos-

sible during the transition and call process. Thank you for your continued stew-

ardship efforts of tithing, special offerings, and contributions of time and tal-

ents. Together we rely on everyoneʹs joyful and sacrificial giving. We do all this

for the glory of God.

2  Feb‐19 AVG 

MONTH FEB YTD 

1019 FEB YTD 

1018 

ATTENDANCE  527  547  1093  1106 

TOTAL INCOME  $37,178  $32,438  $64,875  $79,287 

NET  ‐$637  ‐$4,493  ‐$8,985  ‐$22,008 

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Page 3 Journeys

Journeys Newsletter and

Compass Bulletin

Deadlines

Articles for Journeys is by

noon on the 15th of each

month, Compass deadline

is by noon on Monday for

the following week’s bul-

letin. Please e-mail your

information to Lori Sear-

geant at

[email protected]

________________

Journeys is now being

printed professionally,

saving St. Paul L.C. an

estimated $2500 a year in

printing costs. We would

like to thank our news-

letter sponsors. Please

show your support by

giving them your

business.

Palm Sunday ~ April 14

Fellowship at 8:30 a.m.

Enrichment at 9 a.m.

Worship at 10 a.m.

Maundy Thursday ~ April 18

Worship at 7:15 p.m.

Good Friday ~ April 19

Worship at 7:15 p.m.

Easter Sunrise Service ~ Sun., April 21

at Loma Vista Memorial Park

Worship at 6 a.m.

Easter Celebration ~ Sunday, April 21

Waffle Breakfast from 7:15—9:45 a.m.

Worship at 10 a.m.

Our Lenten journey this year is hopeful of new discernment of the significance of

the symbol of the cross. We will approach the cross in multiple ways: prayer and

mediation stations, personal stories of significant crosses - “CrossTalks”, and fas-

cinating theology about historical crosses, with visuals and art projects. Enjoy

some time thinking about the cross (es) you have in your life story as we prepare

for a season of thoughtful enrichment through CrossWays !

Wednesdays —April 3 & 10 

Lenten Dinner at 6 p.m. and Service at 7:15 p.m. 

CrossWays—Our Lenten Journey

Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 20 From 10 a.m. to noon

Donations needed for candy and plastic egg donations for the Easter Egg Hunt. You can drop off your contributions in the large Easter Basket!

EASTER FLOWERS—Bring your flowers to help decorate the Easter

Cross on Saturday, April 20 before 10 a.m. Please let us know if you are

able to provide us with some flowers and/or greens. Let’s make this the

best most beautiful Cross ever!! Any questions please contact Diana Bock

or Shirley Strom.

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it became the preface

of an entirely new text;

a story that begins with

“on the third day

he rose again…”

God always has had both the first

word and the last word; and God invites

and welcomes us to listen to those

words and all of God’s promises in be-

tween. May we hear the wonders of

those words during this month of April

as we end our Lenten pilgrimage, walk

with Jesus to Jerusalem, join him at his

Last Supper, come near to him on Cal-

vary Hill, grasp the wonder of an empty

tomb, and claim the new life he offers to

us all.

Saint Paul wrote: “So if you have been

raised with Christ, seek the things that are

above, where Christ is, seated at the right

hand of God. Set your minds on things that

are above, not on things that are on earth…”

Colossians 3:1-2

Dear people of St. Paul Lutheran,

may the words of God reach our ears

and hearts in life-giving ways during

these holy days of Lent, the Week of

Passion, and Easter! Living the resur-

rection with you,

Bridge Pastor

PASTOR MURRAY (Continued from page 1)

Page 4 Volume 18, Issue 4

April Enrichment Time

“A Lenten Look at the Luthers’ Lives and Legacies” led by Pastor Mur-

ray and Chris Winn, meeting on April 7. Before and during the 500th

Anniversary of the Reformation (in 2017), Pastor Murray and Rhoda

were able to travel throughout Germany and visit most of the historic

sites of Martin and Katharina (Katie) Luther. Through pictures and sto-

ries, and music led by Chris, the lives and legacies of Martin and Katie

Luther will be shared with a special focus on Luther’s theology of the cross and

what the season of Lent meant for him. Please join us in the sanctuary at 9 a.m.

those six weeks as we encounter Joseph, Katie, and Martin, allowing their lives

and faith to inspire us in our own walk with God.

“Music & Ministry” will be led by Barry Matas in the parish

hall. He will continue his study of the hymn Amazing Grace

April 7. Come see and hear stories of music and ministry. Videos

are always a part of Barry’s sessions. To ease your minds, Barry

will NOT be singing the hymns during the sessions, but bring

your voice for a sing along.

So come early to fellowship time starting at 8:30 a.m. , grab some coffee and good-

ies to eat and sit back and become enriched by all the St. Paul has to offer this

April!

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This month we are reaching out to

new homeowners in our community

that have recently moved within a 3

mile radius of SPLC! We are sending

out 442 postcards invit-

ing them to our Easter

Celebration events

starting with Good Fri-

day on April 19. If you

see anyone new that

you have not seen be-

fore be sure to say hi

and welcome them to

St. Paul! On April 7

and April 14 there will

be extra postcards in

the Narthex. In keep-

ing with our outreach

challenge objective of doing something

easy, inexpensive and achievable, our

Outreach challenge for this month will

be for everyone to take 1 or 2 postcards

to then hand out to a family member,

neighbor, co-worker or anyone else you

come across that you want to invite to

come celebrate with us!

As part of our May 

Outreach Challenge we

will be working along-

side Hoag Hospital here

at SPLC! No prior expe-

rience necessary!

Though our actual chal-

lenge is on May 5, we’ll be completing

sign-ups during the month of April.

We are looking for at least 34 blood

donors that are able to donate blood on

Sunday May 5 ~ 34 do-

nors will help over 100

people! Sign-up list will

be on the patio starting

in April! You can also

RSVP with Barbara

Littrell (626) 965-2155 or

Christian Bakken (714)

853-5234. We do have a

minimum guarantee

with Hoag Hospital in

order to avoid possible

cancellation. Can we

count you in? Our local

St. Jude’s Hospital is a beneficiary as

well. Check your weekly bulletins in

April for some interesting blood dona-

tion facts ~ each week will be different.

February Outreach Challenge Results $320 was raised in coin, cash and

check donations of which is already be-

ing used to help fund our monthly

Youth Food Service at First Lutheran ~

We even received an antique piggy

bank filled with lots of old pen-

nies. Thank you to all that helped our

youth with their outreach efforts.

Page 5 Journeys

April Outreach Challenge

Call Committee Update

We have received additional names of candi-

dates for us to interview. These interviews will begin

soon. Please continue to keep the Call Committee

and the candidates in your prayers as we discern

who should be our new pastor. Thank you.

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Page 6 Volume 18, Issue 4

Hea

lth M

inist

ry P

age

Let it be known to all of you, and to all the

people of Israel, that this man is standing be-

fore you in good health by the

name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,* whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.

Acts of the Apostles 4.10

In light of what has been happening

recently—tragic and senseless mass

shootings in churches, theaters, malls,

etc , Ning Amante and I , as members

of our health ministries’ team at St. Paul

attended an “ Active Shooter “ class,

sponsored by police, sheriffs and FBI

officers. Joining us was Carole Reiner,

who was instrumental in developing

our disaster plan, should a major event

occur such as an earthquake or fire.

Two things stood out as recom-

mended by the speakers :

RUN, HIDE, FIGHT “

Know where your nearest exits are

These 2 things apply wherever you

are, whether it’s in church, a mall or

any place people are gathered. Be

aware of your surroundings and famil-

iarize yourself with any and all exits.

At St Paul, in the Sanctuary, there

are 4 exits: the large glass doors at the

rear , the side door at the front by the

choir on the right and the side door at

the front left. Also there are 2 doors

into the room where the communion

wine is kept and an exit door from that

room. This little room is actually large

enough to hold quite a few people, if it

were necessary that everyone had to

exit forward from the back of the

church.

If you are unable to leave the church

and go outside, there is an exit in the

church office and also 2 exits in the Pas-

tor’s office, one goes outside and the

other to a hall at the back.

If you are unable to run, crouch

down in your pew and make yourself as

small as possible.

This was also recommended by Pat

McKinley in his talk about ” protecting

yourself. “

To fight someone with a weapon

was not recommended.

This is not meant to scare you, but to

prepare you.

Be aware always and react. The goal

is to minimize casualties and death. Be

safe.

Diane Collins Health Ministries Team

Preparing for a Possible Active Shooter

Blood Pressure Checks

Last Sunday of the month

9 —11 a.m. Parish Hall.

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Page 7 Journeys

Some of you may know that when I

retired, the ELCA asked me to voluntar-

ily convene a team of active and retired

military chaplains to lead an effort to

increase the numbers of ELCA pastors

serving as Federal Chaplains in the vari-

ous branches of our Armed Services, VA

Hospitals, the Department of Defense

and Federal Prisons. A generation ago,

we had more than 650 Lutheran Chap-

lains representing our denomination.

Today we have 152 serving 1.2 million

men and women in uniform, 22+ million

veterans, and nearly a million people

incarcerated in federally operated peni-

tentiaries. ELCA Chaplains are in the

unique position of serving a church that

does not put obstacles and restriction on

how they might minister to men and

women who are in need of pastoral care

as they deal with a wide range of per-

sonal concerns and issues. In a meeting

in the Pentagon with the three US Chief

of Chaplains, they told me that today

about 85% of the current Chaplains have

either a denominational or personal the-

ology that will not allow them to serve

100% of the people who have access to

Federal Chaplains. “But your church,”

they said, “has an understanding of

Scripture and a theology of grace that

allows your clergy to serve all who

come to them with any issue or need.

Also, your Theology of the Cross is the

needed word that is so helpful to so

many of our people today.” The Navy/

Marine Admiral looked at me and said,

“Please send us more ELCA Chaplains.”

The team with which I’m working is

raising funds to offer scholarships to

seminarians intent on becoming Federal

Chaplains. Our Scholarship Fund is

growing through the generosity of indi-

viduals, congregations and synods.

When a donating entity gives $1,000 or

more, they are designated as a Medal-

lion Congregation. In the first couple of

years of this effort, we have received

hundreds of donations and more and

more are reaching the Medallion level in

their contributions. I’ve asked our con-

gregation’s Council if I could approach

St. Paul L.C. and encourage this congre-

gation to become a Medallion Congre-

gation and they gave me “the green

light.” Thus this article you are reading,

with a promise of more to follow soon.

In May, we’ll be awarding at least three

Pacifica Synod congregations which

have become Medallion Congregations

over the past months. I would like St.

Paul L.C. to be the fourth such congre-

gation in this synod. We also have many

individual donors and many of them

have given at the Medallion level. In the

past 2 years, we have already awarded

five seminary scholarships, so our

efforts are bearing good fruit. More in-

formation will soon be available. Any

donation of any size will be greatly ap-

preciated. Checks should be made to

ELCA Fund for Leaders, Account

E271994 and they will be forwarded to

the ELCA Churchwide Offices. Please

watch for more information. Thank you! Pastor Murray D. Finck

PS. I am fully aware that St. Paul

Lutheran currently supports a seminari-

an in her theological studies and I ap-

plaud that commitment to assist anyone

from this congregation pursuing or-

dained or diaconal ministry within the

ELCA.

What is a Medallion Congregation? The Answer is Below…

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Page 8 Volume 18, Issue 4

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ

Galatians 6:2

Step

hen

Min

istry

Pag

e

Currently we are serv-

ing in five active caring

relationships.

I was a Stephen Minister long be-

fore I went through the training for it.

I’ve only realized it now, but it’s true. I

was ministering to people all along.

My neighbor and are a relatively

close in age. We enjoy each other’s

company immensely and have had

many good times together. After my

children were born I wasn’t able to

spend time with her the way we used

to; so out of necessity; I came up with

a brilliant solu-

tion. When my

hubby was out of

town; which is

often, after I put

my kids to bed,

she would come

over and share a

glass of wine or a

cup of tea with

me.

These evenings she would show

up and we could talk to each other for

hours. We’d tell each other our stories,

our histories, our hopes for the future

and before we knew it; we were heal-

ing each other. Just the act of listening

was helping us to let go of things that

were troubling us. We both had very

clear moments of emotional pro-

cessing in those late night discussions

and we realized were becoming better

people because of it.

That simple act of listening to each

other had helped each of us heal in

unexpected ways. Sadly, one of the

most overlooked commandments in

the Bible is that we are to listen to oth-

ers. Too often, in our zeal to share the

word of Christ with others, we end up

trampling them in platitudes and

bowling them over with redundant,

repetitive scriptures that have lost

their true meaning - but listening can

be a powerful tool. Listening builds

understanding, diminishes fear, culti-

vates empathy and can be comforting

in a time of sorrow.

This passage from the book of

James reminds us,

“My dear brothers, take note of

this: Everyone should be quick to lis-

ten, slow to

speak and slow to

become angry, for

manʹs anger does

not bring about

the righteous life

that God de-

sires. Therefore,

get rid of all mor-

al filth and the

evil that is so

prevalent and humbly accept the word

planted in you, which can save

you. Do not merely listen to the word,

and so deceive yourselves. Do what it

says. Anyone who listens to the word

but does not do what it says is like a

man who looks at his face in a mir-

ror and, after looking at himself, goes

away and immediately forgets what

he looks like. But the man who looks

intently into the perfect law that gives

freedom, and continues to do this, not

forgetting what he has heard, but do-

ing it--he will be blessed in what he

does.” – James 1:19-25

I came across this quote during

one of several breakout sessions I

attended at the Addiction and Faith

Conference last year. “The church

STEPHEN MINISTRY (Continued on page 9)

Be Quick to Listen—By Sarah Tees, Stephen Leader at St Paul

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Page 9 Journeys

Please pray for our Stephen Minis-

try! We are training new Stephen Min-

isters here at St Paul. Please pray for

Deacon Lynne Prechel, Fay Webber,

Alice Schatz, and Carole Reiner as they

begin their training to be come Stephen

Ministers! George Montgomery will be

leading them as well as members from

2 other local Stephen Ministry congre-

gations through 50 hours of profession-

al training.

This is going to be a spiritual

journey for all of them and they will

need the prayers and support of St

Paul. We lift them up to the Lord and

ask that He richly bless them as they

endeavor to do God’s work with their

hands. Amen.

All April, Every Sunday before or after service! Did you

know our Stephen Ministry has a new training space set

up? Come check us out! If you have ever considered be-

coming a Stephen Minister – this would be a great time to

ask questions and learn more. Need more info? Reach out

to Stephen Leader Sarah Tees.

Stephen Ministry Training

Stephen Ministry Open House

should be seen as a hospital; a rehab

clinic; a place of refuge. THE CHURCH

IS NOT A COUNTRY CLUB. Stop

treating it like one. The person smoking

outside the church doors, the woman in

“inappropriate clothing,” or the man

with whiskey on his breath; these are

the children of God, not excuses to pass

a judgmental glance at. Ask them there

story. Share a cup of coffee with them.

REALLY LISTEN to them. That is the

gospel…”

Listening is the first step in acting

out the scriptures, not speaking. The

Church has the potential to do so much

good in the world, to share the love of

Christ with so many people. However,

in order to do this we must first stop

talking; sit quietly, and get to know

them as God’s child. We need to hear

their stories, understand their hurts,

empathize with their anger and pain,

and then, when they have nothing else

to say, that is when we speak God’s

truth. Itʹs time to start using our ears

before we use our words. Only then can

we be God’s hands.

Please Pray:

Heavenly Father, We lift up with

grateful hearts the lost art of listening

to one another. Too often we fail our

brothers and sisters when they need us

most, by not having our ears open and

our mouths closed. Continue to teach

us and remind us, that just as loving

you Lord began with listening to Your

Word, so the beginning of love for oth-

ers is learning to listen to them.

Amen

STEPHEN MINISTRY (Continued from page 8)

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Page 10 Volume 18, Issue 4

Spiritual and Religious by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Is “Lutheran spirituality” an oxymo-

ron? When we consider Martin Lu-

ther and the early reformers, we think

of great theologians, prolific writers and

musicians. We are well aware of Lu-

ther’s earthy language and direct com-

munication. But spirituality? Luther as

mystic? Not so much. And yet, Luther

was a deeply spiritual person who also

cared for the spiritual well-being of his

parishioners.

Luther was a monk before he was a

college professor and reformer. By his

own account he out-monked everyone

in his monastery. He took his vows seri-

ously. He longed for God. He wrestled

with God. He argued with God. Well

before he came to an understanding of

grace, Luther nevertheless knew that his

life was found in God. He was spiritual

and religious.

“Spirituality” covers a lot of things.

Church historian and writer Martin

Marty once said: “ ‘Spirituality’ is the

code word used to convey everything

from profound quests to warm tingles

between the toes.”

As a parish pastor I often heard peo-

ple declare that they were spiritual and

not religious. I was suspicious that this

was an excuse for not coming to church,

but I now think there is more to it than

that. We are created to search for mean-

ing. Mary Jane Haemig, a professor

at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.,

wrote: “Today people hear many words

but long for authentic words and au-

thentic relationships. They ask whether

they can trust what they hear and

whether they can trust that anyone will

hear what they say. This longing for au-

thentic communication is part of the

longing for relationship. The church can

help people identify that this longing

includes a longing for God.”

This issue’s cover story is about

prayer. Even in an increasingly secular

society, prayer in some form is prac-

ticed by most Americans. What hap-

pens when we pray? Why do we pray?

How should we pray? Is prayer just a

lot of words spoken into emptiness? Is

prayer efficacious?

Luther wasn’t too worried about

these questions. He was more con-

cerned that people actually did pray,

that they were in communication with

God who hears prayer, commands us to

pray and gives us the words we need

through the Spirit. He could be pretty

blunt: “You must learn to call. Do not sit

by yourself or lie on a couch, hanging

and shaking your head. Do not destroy

yourself with your own thoughts by

worrying. Do not strive and struggle to

free yourself, and do not brood on your

wretchedness, suffering and misery. Say

to yourself: ‘Come on, you lazy bum;

down on your knees, and lift your eyes

and hands toward heaven!’”

For Luther, God was real, and this

real God wants real people to be in real

communication with God. We are not to

fret about elegant phrases or creative

and original prayers. We shouldn’t wor-

ry about folding hands or raising hands

or standing or kneeling. It’s not about

technique. Prayer is about relationship

with God. God has created us for God’s

self and we are not whole apart from

this relationship.

And it is here that this Lutheran be-

gan to understand and resist and, final-

(Continued on page 11)

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Page 11 Journeys

Yout

h Pag

e

Starting at 9 a.m. “Power 

Hour” (Sunday School preschool

through sixth grade) will gather with

Carol Reiner for opening music and go

off to their classrooms.

Junior & Senior High Youth will

meet with Ryan and Michelle Kuester

for relevant discussion and staying con-

nected.

And don’t forget the incredible offerings

for adults during Enrichment Hour (see

page 4 for more details) There will be

childcare available for little ones during

our new Enrichment Hour.

Then we will all gather together as

one family for worship at 10 a.m.

Childrenʹs Choir rehearsals led by

Chris Winn will be after 10 a.m. Sunday

services. Kids can gather in the parish

hall directly following the service.

Education Times for Everyone!

For EVERYONE! SERVICE—Food Distribution—Apr. 6 at 8:15 a.m. This is an intergenerational

service project. We meet at Richman Elementary School - 700 S. Richman, Fuller-

ton - to distribute groceries to our hungry neighbors. We meet Jesus in disguise in

the hungry and poor among us.  

SHARE A MEAL—On the second Sunday of each month , 11:30 am-1 pm, we

meet at First Lutheran Church - 215 N. Lemon St., Fullerton - to prepare and serve

food to the homeless community. This month, we meet April 14.

Please see Mike Day with questions.  

FUN—Easter Egg Hunt will be  on Sat., April 20 at 10 a.m. to 1 

p.m. Join us for fun, food and fellowship and a special visit from

the Easter Bunny! Bring your family and friends.

First Holy Communion for children and youth of St. Paul will be

held on Maundy Thursday, April 18 during the evening Worship

Service. If you have a child who is interested in receiving instruc-

tion to join in Holy Communion, please contact Pastor Murray or

First Holy Communion

ly, imperfectly come to know and trust

God more deeply. There is a little stub-

bornness in me. I like to be in charge. I

want to set the terms of engagement. I

will decide when God can come in. But

here is the truth: God is already and al-

ways present.

Luther wrote: “The entire divine na-

ture is wholly and entirely in all crea-

tures, more deeply, more inwardly,

more present than the creature is to it-

self.” That kind of makes resistance

pointless.

Prayer is an invitation into divine

love. Prayer is God seeking us. In God’s

seeking, in God’s speaking and listening

we find ourselves.

BISHOP EATON (Continued from page 10)

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Page 12 Volume 18, Issue 4

ALL CHURCH 

BRIDAL SHOW-

ER — For Greta

Goellrich on Sun-

day, April14 at 2 p.m. in the fellowship

hall. RSVP on the sign-up sheet or con-

tact Melanie Bakken at 562-587-7021 or

[email protected]

 

SAVE THE DATE — The

congregation is invited to the

wedding ceremony and cake

& punch reception for Greta

Goellrich and Doug Hopson

on Saturday, June 8 at 3:30 p.m. at St.

Paul L.C.

BIBLE STUDIES—The Tuesday Morn-

ing Men’s Bible Study gathers at 6 a.m.,

in the Fellowship Hall. Breakfast is pro-

vided. To guide our study, we are using

a study book titled, Revelation, which is

part of the NavPress Life Change Series.

Copies of this book are available at the

church office or at the Bible study.

The Tuesday Morning Women’s Bi-

ble Study continues each Tuesday at 10

a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Led by Mar-

jorie Young, they are studying the Song

of Solomon.

All women in the church are invited

to join in at anytime.

THANKS—St. Paul proved one of my

momʹs favorite aphorisms ʺWhat blesses

one blesses allʺ. Empty Bowls

earned enough Feb. 23rd to provide

1500 days food for the vulnerable in

Fullerton this year. Thanks to the gen-

erous support of so many of you who

attended; sent checks if you couldnʹt

make it; got a Thrivent grant and t-

shirts for the event; stellar admin sup-

port; primo corner signage; and, of

course, the generous use of the facili-

ty. Meals on Wheels of Fullerton and

the homebound in the community we

serve have been greatly blessed by all of

you. Thank you! Carol Pankow

THANK YOU St. Paul for all the volun-

teering and support for our Stephen

Ministry Introductory Workshop! We

will have our final numbers for our

Workshop available in the May News-

letter. Thank you so much for stepping

out in support of Stephen Ministry! We

are honored to be an example of what

Stephen Ministry can do for members of

our congregation and our greater com-

munity as a whole.”

THERAPY ANIMALS— Do you have a

therapy animal or know of someone

who does? Barbara Littrell is looking for

personal stories on how therapy ani-

mals have been therapeutic to people.

Contact Barb at 626-965-2155 or email

your story to [email protected].

Notes and Notices

Results of February Canned Soup Challenge—St. Paul re-

tains the trophy! Together with our partners, we collected

over 7000 ounces of soup—or around 650 cans.

April Challenge will be MAC AND CHEESE 

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Journeys Page 13

GREETERS, READERS & ACOLYTES

Greeters

April 7 Bonita Hix Honey Leas Barbara Littrell

Doug Strom Joyce Wolf

April 14 Fritz VonCoelln Cindy VonCoelln Shelia Richards

Dale Richards Sue Weaver

April 21 Donna Austin Janet Kitchen Sue Weaver

Rick Stone Dawn Stone

April 28 Sally Moore Sue Coopman Sue Weaver

Todd Shaw Maria Shaw

 

Readers 

Apr. 7 Caro Pankow Kayla Beining

Apr. 14 Joyce Wolf Annie Raymond

Apr. 21 Rich Spurlock Hunter Bakken

Apr. 28 Pat McKinley Hannah Day

 

Communion Servers 

Apr. 7 Laurin Peters, Rich Spurlock, Monica Farias

Apr. 14 Carol Pankow, Pearl Mann, Laurin Peters

Apr. 21 Pat McKinley, Caitlin Peters, Leah DeSoucy

Apr. 28 Monica Farias, Pearl Mann, Caitlin Peters

It’s on its way!! July 16-20 starting at

10 in the morning and going until 1

p.m., with an optional water play day

on Wednesday the 18th from 1-2:30 pm.

Your child can attend VBS (ages are

from 3 (potty trained) to sixth grade) for

a registration fee of $10 for the first

child, $5 for the second and any addi-

tional children in the same household

are free. At VBS “To Mars and Beyond”

your child will enjoy an interactive, en-

ergizing, Bible-based goodtime as they

discover their strength in God. They

will ‘explore where God’s power can

take them!’ Your child will also partici-

pate in a local missional project and a

global missional project. For our local

project, we ask each child to offer up

donations of dried pasta to give to Path-

ways of Hope, an organization in ser-

vice for the hungry and homeless in our

community. For our global project, we

will be collecting money for the Evan-

gelical Lutheran Church of America’s

Good Gifts program. Specifically, we

will be collecting money to purchase

and send piglets to struggling farmers

in Tanzania, Bolivia, Nepal and the Phil-

ippines.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED—VBS is a

HUGE community outreach to children

and their families. Letʹs show our cities

of Fullerton and La Habra that we love

children and can offer them and their

parents a wonderful place for faith, ser-

vice, and fun! Please sign up right away

Vacation Bible School

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Page 14 Volume 18, Issue 4

Don't forget our homebound and

those in extended

Those homebound or 

in assisted living:

Dee Ermes

2525 N. Brea Blvd. #118

Fullerton, CA 92835

714-256-7050

Janeen Ostby

Pacifica Senior Living

Hillsborough

11918 Central Ave. #203

Chino, CA 91710

909-632-7032

Virginia Seifert

c/o Helena Garden

13762 Palace Way

Tustin CA 92780

Sharon Tate

1088 Laguna Dr. C316

Carlsbad, CA 92008-1858

Celette Vanderford

15538 Mottley Dr.

La Mirada, CA 90638-5463

714-521-0614

Yvonne Winston

805 W. Glennwood Cir.

Fullerton, CA 92832-1017

714-446-8845

Drop them a note or visit!

STRENGTH, HEALING, COMFORT, MERCY, 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING-For the United

States of America & the World–God Bless America

HEALING  

Russ Holden Juanita Solomonson

Jay Tesch Celette Vanderford

Charles Austin Dee Ermes

Natalie Reggio Martha Huff

Jesse Meyer Karen Legel

Catherine Bitner Don Reid

Harold McDonnel Carol Schumaker

Janice Noren Rachel Bedard

Wilfred Strauss Bob Wolf

Frank Christopher Sandy Canlas

Margaret Swanson Virginia Seifert

Jack Bedell John Kelton

Daniel Meyer Sharon Tate

Glory Hucko Marsha Farwick

Robert & LaVerne Francis

Jonah Reiner—Grandson of Stan & Carole Reiner

Maureen Perez, Dennis DeBolt—Sister & Brother‐in‐Law

of Kathy Peters

Thomas Michael Boyd ‐ Cousin of Kathleen Peters

Rev. Bob & Dot Westerhoff, Bonnie Acosta —Friends of

Kathy Peters

Michael Heinle —Husband of Kathy Peters’ niece

Joe Stok—Father of Sue Coopman

Kim Bowden—Family of June Bosely

Marge Shaw—Mother of Todd Shaw

Katy Duran — Daughter of Ken & Beth Sackett

John & Pete Strom —Family of Doug & Shirley Strom

Joan Riebel —Sister of Doug Strom

Karl Degelmann—Cousin of Anna McDonnel

Bob Kolb—Brother‐in‐law of Shirley Strom

Emery Sumption—Uncle of Sharon Huemoller

Greg Richardson—Son of Leslie Richardson

Michael Foster—Brother of Barbara Swanburg

Karen Ramsey—Daughter‐in‐law of Donna & Charles

Austin

Phillip Solomonson —Son of Juanita Solomonson

Jennifer Schafer—Friend of June Bosley

John Hansel —Brother of George Hansel

Judy Coleman—Friend of Sheila Richards

Alan Day —Father/Grandfather of Day Family

Shirley Jordan—Former member

Daniel—Mom

Jerry Mann—Husband of Pearl Mann

Chapin Family — Friends of Kevin Holden

Phyllis Tohill—Friend of Harold & Anna McDonnel

Danny & Sandy Le —Friends of Tammy LaFlamme

Ernie Torres—Tonya Horton

Kristen Childers—Friend of Sara Jimenez

Jeff Bosely—Son of June Bosely

Twin boys of Leo and Manu Hernández —Friends of

Caitlin Peters

Stephanie McLaren —Daughter of Steve & Sharon

Huemoller

STRENGTH AND HEALING

Marilyn Minnich Tom Peters

Marjorie Legel Pastor Steve & Jacque Awbrey

Pastor Mark Cansino

Bill & Dorothy Aanestad

Karly—Daughter of Nancy Romstedt

Kimberly Gaughan

Altha Hedman—Mother of Sue Goellrich

Connie Overton, Joan Lucas, Tomoko, Dee Harmon,

Terry Lucas, Dennis, Bill King, Judy Tardie, Hank,

Allen & Brendan, Gabriel, Mark, Alisa, Brittaney,

Chase, Jenay and Jada —Friends & Family of Fritz and

Cindy von Coelln

Crystal Farias—Daughter of Rick & Monica Farias

Jennifer Sullivan—Friend of Jack & Sue Bedell

Don & Barb Rogers—Friends of Veronica Sandoval

COMFORT

Sue Goellrich and family on the death of her father,

Monte Hedman

Steve Huemoller and family on the death of his sister,

Janet Wischmann

Kathy Peters and family on the death of her cousin,

Jane Dunham

Mike Smale & Family on the death of his father—Friend

of Laurin Peters

 

SAFETY 

Nathan Kuester —Tech school at Vandenburg AFB

Petty Officer 3 EM Roxy Mueller —Cousin/Niece of Stone

Salpaka Family

Pvt. Allen Moss Charlie Co 84 Army Chemical

Battalion—Grandson of Cindy and Fritz von Coelln

1st Lieutenant George H Cushman, 1-77AR - Friend of

Kathy Salter

Jonathan Gueye—Friend of Laurin Peters

We welcome and encourage all prayer requests. Please

submit your requests in writing on your Worship

Registration card, via email or phone call to the Church

Office. Once or twice each month, names will be removed

from the list who have been in print at least 3 consecutive

weeks (except those deployed overseas). You are welcome to

re‐submit any name removed from the list, or you may

remove a name at anytime by contacting the Church Office.

Thank you! If you or someone you know is in the hospital,

please be sure to call the church office (714) 879‐8290 to

inform us. Confidentiality laws now prevent hospitals from

contacting churches when congregation members are

hospitalized. 

In Our Thoughts and Prayers. . .

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Page 16: First and Last Words—Living the Resurrection · 2019-03-20 · challenge objective of doing something easy, inexpensive and achievable, our Outreach challenge for this month will

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

P A I D Fullerton, CA

Permit No. 1171

Journeys Newsletter St. Paul Lutheran Church 111 West Las Palmas Drive Fullerton, CA 92835-1529

Address Service Requested

Journeys Newsletter is published monthly by St. Paul Lutheran Church - Non-Profit Permit #1171 - 111 West Las Palmas Drive Fullerton, CA 92835-1529 Postage paid for at Fullerton, CA.

DATED MATERIAL- PLEASE DELIVER BY April 1, 2019

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:30 a.m.—Fellowship Time

9 a.m.— Enrichment Time, POWER Hour

10 a.m.—Worship Celebration

LENTEN DINNER WORSHIP

April 3 & 10—Wednesdays –Dinner —6 p.m.

Worship —7:15 p.m.

The. Rev. Murray D. Finck, Bridge Pastor

Deacon Lynne Prechel, Interim Deacon

W. Chris Winn, Director of Music

Lori Seargeant, Office Administrator

Danielle Rodgers, Nursery Attendant

Phone: 714-879-8290 Fax: 714-879-5907

www.stpaulfullerton.org

[email protected]

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