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June 2017 - In This Issue:
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"Can a
Spirit Led Church Bring Healing in a Politically Divided Time?
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I personally feel a great amount of sadness at the political divisiveness I witness in our country most days. I wonder how the Christian Church could be part of healing these divisions? Can we go to deeper values such as affirming that all people are "created in God's image", or follow Jesus' teachings on "loving our neighbor as ourselves", and even on "loving enemies"?
I've never been a member of a political party, so I might best characterize myself as an independent voter. I've voted more frequently for the losers in elections than I have for the winners. I see both major parties heavily influenced by wealth and power rather than acting for the common good. Years ago when Facebook asked me to share my political views I wrote: "see Micah 6:8, read Amos & other prophets".
Micah 6:8 is, of course: "
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
I'm also very influenced by Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25: "I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me...... I was sick and you took care of me..... Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
As a grandson of German immigrants, I've been especially aware of my own immigrant heritage. I want my perspectives on immigration, for instance, to be informed by Scripture, such as Leviticus 19: 33-34: "
When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt...." But how do we balance that text with Romans 13:1 "
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities."? I was inspired by the Lutherans strong history resettling European refugees after World War II, and by the following decades of expertise and success in resettling refugees from many nations.
Why write about all this, with the risk of offending a brother or sister? Because I believe there is room in the ELCA for a broad range of political points of view, and for members of various political parties. I will vigorously defend people who strongly disagree with me if their political arguments are Scriptural, come out of their faith and trust in God, or seek to demonstrate love and care for the neighbor.
In the Church, we preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments. These are our central tasks, and politics should not divide us Christians or take priority among us. If we can't talk about important issues in a community of deep values and shared commitments to Christ, what hope is there for the world? Yet the Church has always spoken out on moral issues, justice, and human rights, and must continue to do so,
How can the Christian Church be part of healing our political divisions?
May we speak and listen, led by the Holy Spirit, in humble obedience to God's Word, with deep respect for the truth, and in humble respect for those who disagree with our perspectives.
In God's grace,
Pastor Paul
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DAY OF PENTECOST JUNE 4th
Today's festival derives its name from the Jewish festival of Pentecost, observed fifty days after Passover. On the fiftieth day of Easter we celebrate the Holy Spirit as the power of God among us that heals, forgives, inspires, and unites. In the reading from Acts, images of wind and fire describe the Spirit poured out on disciples of all nations. In John's gospel the risen Christ breathes the Spirit on his followers on Easter evening. In the one Spirit we are baptized into one body, and at the Lord's table the Spirit unites us for witness in the world. (John 20: 19-23)
(from Sundays and Seasons)
THE GOSPEL SUNDAY IS JOHN 20: 19-23.
Please join us Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.
(There will be no Adult Forum/ Sunday School during the summer months.)
Our Church Cookout will be held immediately following worship. Please join us!
Remember all: WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS!
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MULTIPLE LANGUAGES READ on ACTS 2:1-21
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During our first reading this coming Sunday, June 4th morning,
we will have a special reading.
The book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 1-21 will be read in multiple languages (including: Basque, German, Greek, Latin, and Spanish).
If you know another language and wish to participate, p
lease bring your reading with you on Sunday morning.
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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
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We celebrate with our 2017 graduates and congratulate them on a job well done!
Jacob Adams
is graduating from Woodson High School on June 20th and will be a freshman at William and Mary in August. He plans to major in Computer Science with perhaps a minor in History.
Ben Foster
will graduate from GW Community School on June 17th. He will be attending American University this fall to study journalism.
Megan Green
graduated from UVA on May 21st with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Business. She will be moving to Phoenix AZ where she will be employed at St. Jude Medical. For the next three years, she will learn about Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Rhythm Management medical devices.
Katie Rossbach
also graduated from UVA on May 21st. She received a B.S. in Nursing and will be working at Fairfax Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Kelly Walker
received a Bachelor of Science degree from Johnson & Wales University on
May 20th.
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FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE - COOK OUT JUNE 4th
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The Fellowship Committee will hold a cookout following service this Sunday, June 4th (with a rain-date of June 11th). JOIN US!!
Melissa Moyer
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ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
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Christ Lutheran sponsored a successful trial of English as a Second Language classes for 6 weeks this spring, and celebrated our last class Thursday!! The classes have allowed us to meet many of our immediate neighbors. After sponsoring an Immigration Attorney speaking next week, we plan to continue some small group English conversation during the summer. Special thanks to our leadership team of Phyllis Herrington, Dick Alfers and Mary Anne Rossbach. Deep thanks also to teachers and others who have supported this community outreach over the past 6 weeks:
Linda Bell, Eric, June and Clara Bloedorn, Erik Kuiler, Susan LeMarie, Ariane Richaud, Chris Rossbach, Dan Walker and Laura Albert.
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MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS (1 or 3)
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JULIE A. CHRISTENSEN: "I am a George Mason prof, specializing in literature, film and culture in Soviet and post-Soviet space. My husband, Georgi Tonia, is an architect from Tbilisi, Georgia. He has been renovating his childhood home there for the past five summers. We have three sons: Zaal, 31, in Seattle, Lado, 29, married to Laura and living in Charlottesville, and Luke, 26, in Fairfax. My background is old Scandinavian Lutheran Northern Iowa and Minnesota. I am very grateful for the warm welcome I have received from everyone at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church."
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Julie A Christensen, PhD
Associate Professor of Russian
Department of Modern & Classical Languages
George Mason University
703-993-1228
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Summer Fun Nights!
Let the fun begin! Join us for 4 Wednesdays in July for some exciting activities!
July 5th - Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets baseball game.
We have ordered 20 tickets for this baseball game.
Sign up in the Information Center.
$12/ ticket.
July 12th - Camp Fire Fun.
We'll meet around a campfire at the church, sing songs, and roast marshmallows!
July 19th - Movie Night on the Lawn.
Bring a lawn chair or blankets, relax, and enjoy a movie under the stars!
July 26th - Pool Party.
This is a repeat of last year's fun time at the Walker/Albert pool.
Watch for more information and sign-up sheets and prepare for great fellowship this summer.
Summer Bible Packets
This year's Summer Bible Packets are ready in the Information Center for students 3 years old - 6th grade.
Take a packet and read about "Jesus' Miracles" then complete the activities. It's a fun way to continue the learning during the summer!
When you complete the Summer Bible Packets, join us on Rally Day in September for recognition of a job well done!
Vacation Bible School - July 31st -August 4th
Have you thought about sending your children/grandchildren to Vacation Bible School this summer? Now is the time to sign up! Registration forms are in the Information Center.
This full-day VBS led by counselors from Mar-Lu-Ridge is, in short, awesome!
Preschool Summer Camps
Although the school year is over, the preschool students have the opportunity to participate in two weeks of summer camp with crafts, stories, and amazing adventures!
June 5-9 - Space Camp: Out of this World
June 12-16 - Rumble in the Jungle: A Safari Adventure
We are already looking forward to the new school year in the fall. As we have done in the past, the preschool is posting a wish list of supplies that we will need in September. If you are interested in supporting the preschool, please check out the list in the Information Center and sign up to provide one or more of the supplies requested. Any help you can give to the preschool will certainly be appreciated. Donations are due by August 31st. Thanks!
June Bloedorn
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Preschool Picnic May 19, 2017 - Last Day of School
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PROPERTY COMMITTEE - GARDEN
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HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
Christ Lutheran is now the proud owner of three gardens: our Peace Garden, one managed by the Dolce Vita restaurant, and our new Community Garden.
This year, in the Peace Garden, we have planted tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash and winter squash. Last year we donated over 800 pounds of vegetables to Food for Others to distribute to local residents who need and appreciate fresh vegetables.
Dolce Vita is growing tomatoes and a variety of vining veggies, all of which they serve fresh with their salads. In return for this, you may recall that they helped with our October Fest, served refreshments at the end of the recent interfaith church walk ,and have volunteered to assist our new gardeners in the Community Garden (see below).
This year we set up ten four by eight foot plots and made them available as a
Community Garden
to members of the community that wanted to garden but had no space. All ten have been taken, several by folks who attended out ESL classes. Two are being managed by congregation members. And what a remarkable set of gardens they are.
We also have a tool shed and a rain barrel and lots of enthusiasm. Members are encouraged to come out back and see what is going on. Don't pick the strawberries though.
Contact our coordinators Allen Griffith, Dick Alfers or Joyce Skoglund.
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The Service Committee served both dinner and breakfast to FACETS clients. ESL classes continue to go well.
Phyllis Herrington
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Fairfax Interfaith Walk, Sunday May 21, 2017
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UPCOMING EVENTS - JUNE 2017
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6-04-17 Sunday 10:00 a.m. Worship Service - Day of Pentecost, Music Sunday I, and High School Recognition
6-04-17 Sunday 11:15 a.m. Church Cookout
6-05-17 Monday 7:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal
6-06-17 Tuesday 6:15 p.m. NO Bible Study & Prayer today-Pastor Paul is away
6-07-17 Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Prime Timers' Breakfast
6-07-17 Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Learning Committee
6-08-17 Thursday 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee
6-10-17 Saturday 8:00 a.m. Men's Ministry Bible Study Breakfast
6-10-17 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Britepath weekend (Sorting & Packing )
6-11-17 Sunday 10:00 a.m. Worship Service HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY
6-11-17 Sunday 11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour /
Gift Cards Delivered
6-11-17 Sunday 11:15 a.m. Britepath weekend (Deliveries)
6-12-17 Monday 7:30 p.m. Property Committee
6-12-17 Monday 7:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal
6-13-17 Wednesday 3:00 p.m. FACETS
6-15-17 Thursday 11:00 a.m. WELCA Bible Study & Prayer, Potluck Lunch
6-16-17 to 6-17-17 SYNOD ASSEMBLY in Leesburg
6-18-17 Sunday 10:00 a.m. Worship Service & Bell Choir Sunday
6-20-17 Tuesday 6:15 p.m. Bible Study & Prayer
6-20-17 Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Council
6-25-17 Sunday 10:00 a.m. Worship Service -
6-25-17 Sunday 11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour
6-25-17 JULY/AUG NEWSLETTER Articles Due from Committee Chairs
6-27-17 Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Bible Study on Acts
6:27-17 Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Evangelism Committee
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Monthly Bible Study & Prayer June 20th
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| Please join our CELC prayer/Bible Study group this month on Tuesday, June 20th at 6:15 p.m. in the Pastor's Office or Sanctuary. If you would like to add someone to our monthly prayer card please email the church office at [email protected] or you may place their name in the prayer box on a slip of paper, or simply list their name on our prayer list located at the Information Center. |
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Mens' Ministry Bible Study - June 10th
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This group will meet next on
Saturday, June 10th,
at 8 a.m. A sign-up sheet is available at the Information Center.
Please contact ALLEN GRIFFITH 703-628-0734 with questions.
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WELCA Meeting - Potluck Lunch & Last Class for the Summer
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WELCA meets on the third Thursday of each month. We will hold a potluck lunch this month on June 15th. Regular c
lasses will resume on Thursday, September 21st at 11 a.m. in the conference room.
Please contact Pat Nau at 703-281-6288 with questions.
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New Acts Bible Study to begin on June 27th
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Continuing our group bible study, with enjoyment of the great outdoors, I would like to schedule Session Six of our Acts study within the church atrium on Tuesday, June 27th, beginning at 7 PM.
We will be focusing on Acts 19, which the study guide calls "A Riot in Ephesus".
Please let me know by Tuesday, June 20th, as to whether or not you will be able to attend.
Ric Fisher
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| We Want To Publicize Your Committee Events in "The Messenger" |
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Committee Chairs, please share your committee activities with our church membership through the Newsletter and Emails. To have your article published
in the next issue of The Messenger, please send Connie text and/or pictures by email by JUNE 25th.
T
he d
eadline for articles to be included
in the JULY/AUGUST issue of The Messenger is JUNE 25th
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PRAYER LIST,
+ WE PRAY FOR HEALTH AND HEALING +
Zoey Angelo, Nadia Appel, Beverly and Robert L. Boulis, Jr., Rita Brice, Lois Culler, Rudy Drechsel, Ken Dugan, Cliff Geisbert, Alison Grohman, Olivia Immerman, Luba Kakovitch, Sally Kaplan, Janice Keck, Rhonda Kelly, K. C. Koleman, Mike March, Paul Martin, Verlin Morton, Carolyn Phillips, Reed Reavis, Lueanne White, Allison Graves Wilson and David Zellner.
+ For The Homebound + Web Brown,
Evelyn Dise, Herb Graul,
Betty Mangler, Rutha McGinnis and,
Terry T
oloczko.
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ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS FOR JUNE
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VOLUNTEER SERVERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED
If you will be available on a specific weekend and not another during the summer, please contact the church office to volunteer your time. Thank you!
SERVERS
June 4th (Church Cookout/ BBQ)
Acolyte - Emerson Worst
Altar Guild - Phyllis Herrington
Assisting Minister - Cliff Diehl
Communion Assistant - Liisa Herweg
Greeter - Ginny Trygstad and Judy Diehl
Lector - Marilyn Short
Ushers - 4 needed
Coffee Hour - Church Cookout
SERVERS
June. 11th (Britepath weekend)
Acolyte - Eowyn Worst
Altar Guild - Cliff Diehl
Assisting Minister - Robert Worst
Communion Assistant - 1 needed
Greeters - Liisa Herweg & Jean Oberdick
Lector - 1 needed
Ushers -4 needed
Coffee Hour -
SERVERS
June. 18th
Acolyte - Johnathan Munuo
Altar Guild - Karen Barber
Assisting Minister - Alton Miilhouse
Communion Assistant - Joey Graves
Greeters - Candy & Alton Miilhouse
Lector - Joyce Skoglund
Ushers - John Munuo, 3 needed
Coffee Hour -
Acolyte - 1 needed
Altar Guild - Elly Burton
Assisting Minister - 1 needed
Communion Assistant - Joyce Skoglund
Greeters - Virginia Mahoney
Lector - Katie Ross Foster
Ushers - 4 needed
Coffee Hour - Munuos
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| PASTOR PAUL's OFFICE HOURS FOR JUNE |
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Pastor Paul
will be moving during the month of June and will be out of the office on Friday June 2nd, Monday June 5th and Tuesday June 6th.
Please contact the Ginny Trygstad for pastoral emergencies.
Typically, Pastor Paul's o
ffice days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The pastor usually takes his off day on Saturdays.
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| SHARE YOUR FAVORITE HYMNS |
Share your favorite hymns with our musicians. Sign up at the the Information Center or contact our Director of Music Ministry, Steven Beck by email at [email protected]
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| FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER |
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Many of you know we are on Facebook, but did you know that we are also now on Instagram and Twitter? Follow us at: Christ Lutheran Fairfax (Instagram) and @CELChurch (Twitter)!
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CHURCH WEBSITE CALENDAR - DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A GOOGLE CHURCH ACTIVITY / ROOMING CALENDAR?
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| Do you wish to use the church for an event? Please go to our Christ Lutheran Church Website Google Calendar for room availability, activity updates and details at www.fairfaxchristlutheran.org. Then contact Connie or the Pastor to schedule a church room for your event. Please do not assume that the specific room you wish to use will be available when you need it. Thank you for your cooperation! |
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