Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Hopewell, VA 23860
MAY/JUNE 2011
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
Bulletin Board 2
VBS 3
Coming July 29
Pastor’s Corner 9
Simple Church 10
Bulletin Board
Please Help! We have a family that needs Special Event—Older adults, their
help to provide for themselves. David Thomas family members and caregivers are invited
has been laid off and is willing to do any kind to a free "SMART" forum: Seniors Manag-
of work to earn some money to help support ing Aging, Resources and Transitions
his family. Do you have anything such as yard from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 21, at
work, landscaping, House clean- St. Ann's Catholic Church,
ing that you could have them 17111 Jefferson Davis High-
do?? If you would like to talk to way, Colonial Heights. Com-
me about it at 586-3335 or you munity service providers will
may call David at 216-1591. discuss how to get the most
Thanks ahead of time for your from your pharmacy, the ins
consideration. - Arnie Slimmen and outs of occupational and
physical therapy, how to en-
gage an elder law attorney,
CHILDCARE how hospice care works, Alz-
James Eckenrode’s mom has a heimer's resources, what geri-
childcare service, and she cur- atric care management can do
rently has some openings. If you need this ser- for families, and tips on providing personal
vice or would like more information, please call care for your loved one. Audience members
Elke at 530-1254 or on her cell at 691-8369. She will be able to ask questions. Sponsored by
will care for newborns on up in age. Hours are Lutheran Family Services of Virginia and
6:30am to 6:00pm. Sterling Geriatric Care Management. For
Sermon Series on the First Epistle of Saint Peter continues until June 12.
Outdoor Worship, Sunday, May 22
Armed Forces Sunday, May 29
Confirmation Sunday, Sunday, June 26
The youth of Nazareth will be serving church and community the weekend of
July 29th. This is an excellent opportunity for our members to serve our youth
and support them as they reach out in faith and love of Jesus Christ. Please
contact the youth leaders, Tina and Ann, if you are willing to help in any way.
Here are just a few of the terrific possibilities for service they will be involved in
that weekend:
Completed:
5/3/2011—Initial meeting with Pastor, committee members to discuss the Market Feasibility
Study. You may listen to this meeting online via Nazareth Radio at nazluthchurch.com.
5/9/2011—First draft of the Potential User Survey to Nazareth Lutheran Church for review and
comment
Upcoming:
5/13/2011—Comments on the first draft of Potential User Survey returned to Perspectives Con-
sulting
5/17/2011—Revised Potential User Survey to Nazareth Lutheran Church
5/19/2011—Comments on revised Potential User Survey returned with signed survey approval
letter to Perspectives
5/23/2011– 6/9/2011—Telephone interviewing
6/10/2011– 7/14/2011—Statistical analysis of the Potential User Survey data and development
of the report
7/15/2011—Market Feasibility Study report completed and delivered to Nazareth Lutheran
Church.
7/17/2011—Market Feasibility Study report provided to members via our website or via printed
document that may be read in the Conference Room.
8/4/2011—Presentation of Market Feasibility Study to members of Nazareth by Perspectives
Consulting.
May / June 2011 Page 6
At our April meeting the board discussed Ann's idea for an in-house Food Pantry ,
because we have so many needy families in the Church. Angie is going to donate shelving
and a place to keep the items. We talked with Arnie and Carol and they suggested the En-
trance area of the Older Church/Upstairs Sunday School area. It will not be open to out-
siders and is only for families in the church and people connected to members of the
church. There will be no walk-ins. §
Bible Studies
„Small Groups
Sermons
Sunday School
And much more… TELL A FRIEND
The Good News
Pastor’s Corner
Simple Church
All three discussion groups have agreed that we need to put into place a process by which we build dis-
ciples. What does this mean? It means that whether you are a guest or a long-time member of this
church, you will know where you need to grow in Christ and how you can serve Him using your unique
and God-given gifts. We will develop a process by which you can clearly see where you are invited to
grow and where you are called to serve. It means that our church structure (our boards and commit-
tees) will change to reflect our mission. Each part of the church structure functioning with a purpose
to help God’s children along their path of discipleship.
We’ve just begun building this process. Why not join a discussion group today? Ask the church office
for a book. Pease read Chapter 4 of Simple Church and we will begin designing our ministry process
together.
The Story
There is no better time to invite someone to engage with our church in worship than right now. We
are on the cusp of doing something really great for ourselves and our community by reading through
the Bible in one year. This will be done via a terrific book called ‘The Story’. The Story is the Bible, con-
densed into 31 Chapters and by the end of our journey, we will appreciate how God laid our His plan of
salvation for each of us. This is an journey that will bring us closer together as a church and if we do
this right, our community. Please keep an eye open for how you can help with getting the word out
about this. I will be sharing ways in which we can invite others to join us.
‘The Story’ Teacher’s Planning Meeting. So that we all are on the same page and so that we know
exactly what resources are available to us, I will lead a teacher’s planning meeting on Saturday, June
26 from 8am to noon . Bagels, juice, and drinks will be provided. This is for all teachers of Nazareth.
If you will be out of town, I will record this meeting and make it available online via our new Nazareth Ra-
dio section of our website.
SIMPLE
CHURCH Chapter 1 Summary
DISCUSSION There are two issues that we need to address as a congregation:
We tend to be a maintenance minded congregation:
GROUP Examples: Our focus tends to be on programs instead of mission, council
meetings are maintenance focused not mission focused.
The following summary We do not have a Spiritual Growth plan for our members
notes are the basic ide- Examples: We are not providing a specific growth plan for guests or mem-
as taken away from the
bers who may not know how to start or continue their growth in Christ.
initial Simple Church
meetings. Chapter 1-3
focused primarily on
reflecting on who we
Chapter 2 Summary
are. Starting with Chap- MISSION AND MINISTRY
ter 4, we will begin to
Many of our existing ―programs‖ fall short of sharing the Gospel.
―build‖ who we desire
to become—a simple We have many willing passionate Christians at Nazareth.
church focused on the We get defensive about justifying the existence of programs and we need
Great Commission. to ―let go‖ of a program or redevelop it if it doesn’t serve our Mission.
BOARDS AND OFFICES
Why not join in? Join We may want to consider reducing the number of people on our boards
any Simple Church ses- so that the board can focus on recruiting volunteers to that all members
sion: are engaged, even if just in one project.
Sunday 8:30 AM There are many in our congregation who do not have a clear understand-
Sunday after worship ing of the importance of their role in God’s mission.
Wednesday 5:30 PM We need to evaluate how many boards we have and how many serve on
Chapter 3 Summary
All members should support whatever ministry process we put into place
and all leaders should agree to understand their role in that process.
We agree that we will move ahead with developing a process by which
people are engaged in discipleship and growing in Christ.
We should not eliminate any programs or ideas without either replacing
them with better ideas or adapting them to serve our mission. Who
(what group) decides what programs need adapting/replacing is something
we need to continue to discuss.
May/June 2011 Page 11
Like most people, my relationship with my father No matter what the world thinks of Jesus or
was one that changed over the years. When I was a says about Him, He remains victorious and ever-
boy, I thought he was Superman, for he amazed me lasting. Regardless of opinion about Him, depic-
with all he could do. When I was a teenager, I tion of Him, or denial of Him, Jesus Christ sits at
thought he was a policeman, since he always was try- the right hand of the Father as a victor over sin
ing to keep me in line. When I became an adult, I and death. Unlike champions from this world
saw him in a new way—just as he was—a man. We who are forgotten about once the next season
spent a lot of time together playing Old Time music begins, the Father states that Jesus is and always
(he on banjo and I in fiddle) and I got to know him in will be the victor, and ―thanks be to God! God
ways I never knew before. I value the time I spent gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
with him, especially now, since he now rests in God’s Christ.‖ - 1 Cor 15:57.
Baptismal grace with Christ. You may think of Jesus as a nice and gentle man.
As he and I grew older, the relationship changed dra- He was. You may think of Jesus as one who
matically. I’m sure the same is true for you in your could have a temper. He did. You may think of
relationship with those in your family. As we change, Jesus as one who suffered and died. That is
the nature of our relationship changes. true. Jesus was and is all of those things but He
When you were a child or when you were new to was not only those things. Jesus Christ is risen.
the faith, you had an idea of who Jesus was. As you He has defeated death and the devil for you.
grew older or grew in the faith, that idea probably That is why He came to the world. That is what
developed into something unique only to you. you need to know about Him.
Look at the pictures above. Those are depictions of No matter what you think of Jesus within that
Jesus Christ from various people around the world. picture, always picture this, ―But Stephen, full of
While we may change and while our concept of who the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw
Jesus Christ is may change, one thing stands firm and the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right
is unchanging, and that is Jesus Christ himself. hand of God.‖ - Acts 7:55. Victorious!
Nazareth Lutheran Church
1711 Grant Street
Hopewell, VA 23860
TO:
Nazareth Evangelical
Lutheran Church