April 2008

                             The Parish Item

                  Monthly Newsletter of East Liberty Lutheran Church

                                5707 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA  15206-3603

412-362-1712

Pastors Beth Siefert 412-279-3615 and

Pastor John Gropp 412-466-7773

Eucharistic Minister Julia Diggs 412-247-3002

 

April 2008

Is It the End Time…… Is It the End Time…… Is It the End Time……

“Peace be with you!"

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." -- John 20:19-21

Over the years, as I have preached from this text on numerous occasions, I have inevitably narrowed the reason for the locked doors down to the words as stated “for fear of the Jews.”  Now I do not want to be so presumptuous as to think that I can rewrite scripture, but I would like to offer an additional thought as to why the doors were locked that is much more immediate and personal. 

 

We have all seen the movies depicting the fulfillment of Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s three denials of the Savior prior to the rooster crowing and Peter’s remorseful slinking off into the shadows on that first Good Friday morning.  We also know the story of Judas’ demise as he is unable to accept his guilt and come to Jesus to hear His words of forgiveness.  Lastly, we are aware of the stark absence of the rest of the disciples from the time they are rousted from slumber in the garden at Jesus arrest until their gathering Easter evening, except, of course, for the two mentioned above and the disciple, John, who stood with Mary at the foot of the cross.  Where were the other nine?  Is it possible that the doors were locked to keep Jesus from just popping in for a visit?  Do any of us like to be confronted by our failings, faults and sinfulness?  Shoot, if we are truly honest with ourselves, most of us would have to admit that we hate to go see the doctor or dentist because of what we might hear. 

 

It is my guess that the disciples, like us, were caught in the Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion conundrum of “Hosanna to the King” one minute and “Crucify Him” the next.  We live in a time where it is a common practice to turn life’s tragedies into entertainment and/or palatable love stories.  Just think about the tendency in our culture to deviate from the tragedy or original plotline, such as in the new movie versions of Titanic and Great Expectations.  Similarly, Christ’s disciples on the evening of that first day of the week were caught between the grief of losing one whom they loved and who loved them, and the guilt of turning their backs on Jesus in His time of need.  The confusion of the empty tomb only heightened their despair.  And suddenly there He was in their midst – bold, brazen, physically present. You can almost feel the color drain from their guilty, faithless, frightened frames.  And what are the first words Jesus utters? Do they convey a wagging finger of belittlement or condescension? No! Instead he speaks these undeserved words of healing, wholeness and hope, “Peace be with you!” 

 

These are the same transitional words except in the third person that we hear each Sunday following the lessons of the Bible, the sermon, and our confession of faith: “The peace of Christ be with you always.”  It is at this point in our worship that we are sent into our congregation to share this same peace with others as a training exercise for our work in our earthly journey through this life.  It is not a time for frivolity, checking schedules with friends, chit-chat, and general greetings.  Rather, it is a time for speaking Christ’s word of peace that has the power to heal broken relationships, share another’s burdens, and assures those who are feeling the loneliness of a world that appears to have forgotten them, that Christ is risen for them today, through you – through us.    

 

Let us, with a renewed appreciation for these words of Christ, share His peace in the proper spirit of this amazing gift both at worship and throughout the week.   When we do, we will find ourselves declaring that healing, freeing, hope-filled peace which only Christ can give to those who find themselves trapped behind locked doors.

 

“Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." -- John 20:21

 

In Christ’s Service,

 

Pastor John and Pastor Beth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parish Items

²       Prayer Request List.  We encourage members to pray for those listed in the Sunday bulletin.  If you know someone who needs some extra prayers, please let Karen Steele know so that she can put the name in the bulletin. On the first of each month, all names will be taken from the list in the bulletin.  If someone has a continuing need, just let Karen know.  Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

²       When you pay for the flowers or candle for a given Sunday, please let Karen know what dedication to put in the bulletin.  You can write it on the sign-up chart in the Narthex or tell Karen directly.  We appreciate the help!

²       Community Outreach   We need workers in the vineyard on Wednesday nights.  You need to be at the church about 4:30. The menu is beans and wieners, macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti.  Reuben Sumpter is very loyal and every four weeks he cooks excellent chili.  The supplies are there.  We serve at 6:00 and clean up.  You can be out by 7:00.  Maybe someone could help cook and someone else give some time to clean up. Please talk to Marie Bishop and Karen Steele if this is a ministry you would enjoy.  There are some regular people who are loyal and come weekly, and others who come occasionally.  They are usually friendly and enjoy interacting with us.  Come join the fun.

²        Remember Our Food Pantry!!! We are asking all of our members to remember that we provide food for our neighbors on a regular basis and the need is great!  We are asking everyone to bring food offerings to worship.  There will be a basket ready to receive your offerings at the door to the sanctuary. We also can use cash donations to purchase food certificates (for perishables) and bus passes.  Simply mark your donation “Food Pantry” and place it in the offering plate.  Thanks!!!

²       Flea Market The first Flea Market will be Saturday, May 3.  We need new or gently used household items and saleable goods. No clothing please! Delicious goodies of all kinds are welcome. They sell well!!  See Marie Bishop if you have any questions. 

²       Contact Charlene Butler with congregational news, activities, or articles for the Parish Item by e-mail cebutler2006@yahoo.com, phone 412-454-8690, orU.S. mail – 240 Curtis St, Pittsburgh PA 15235

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     Calendar Notes: 

Wednesdays       12:30 PM Midweek Service

Thursday, 4/3     6:00 PM Worship and Music Committee

Friday, 4/11        5:00 PM Evangelism Mtg.

                            6:30 PM Prayer Supper           

Sunday, 4/13       Birthday Sunday

Tuesday, 4/15     7:00 PM Council Meeting 

Sunday, 4/20       Parish Item Deadline 

                            Congregational Meeting         

Tuesday, 4/29     7:30 PM Block Club Meeting

          Liturgical Staff - April

Deacon:	Joanne Meades Diggs
Crucifer:	Karen Steele
Acolytes
Altar Guild:	Diane and Emily Curry
Greeter:	Eleanor Burley
Ushers:	Charlene Butler, Emily Curry Charles Honeywell Shawn Johnston

          Liturgical Staff - May

Deacon:	Karen Steele
Crucifer:	Caitlin Curry
Acolytes
Altar Guild:	Sandy and Alice Curry
Greeter:	Mildred Nolan
Ushers:	Mary Ann Yost, Lee Carrington, Marie Bishop, Sandy Curry

If you are interested in serving as a liturgical assistant or in reading the second lesson, please contact John Curry or Pastor Siefert.

        Applying Biblical Principles

Applying Bible Principles

            This year, attendance for worship on Palm Sunday was over 60 people!  It was a wonderful worship service, and even though it was longer than usual, we had an excellent turn-out for coffee hour afterward!  Clearly, a spirit-filled service moves people in a variety of wonderful ways.

 

            So why was our offering from white envelopes only $514.00?  In cold, snowy February, with only four Sundays instead of five, our white envelope giving was over $1000.00 more than in March, even though Easter was in March and even though attendance on Palm Sunday was much greater than usual.  What's up with that?

 

            The "good" news is that the giving patterns at ELLC are hardly patterns at all, and despite this we have prevailed throughout the years, thanks to the Grace of God!  The "bad" news, however, is that we have no "cash cushion" or reserves on which to depend when our offerings fall short.  We either don't pay a bill or we go into debt to make the short-term ends meet.

 

            At ELLC, we have traditionally kept our focus on ministry and worship, and have remained very low-key about raising money, especially compared to many other congregations.  If we want to continue this approach, we will have to do better in our weekly offerings.  It is hard to imagine how this can be accomplished in the current economic climate, but this is the reality.  There is very little that can be cut from our General Fund budget, and what can be cut will not significantly reduce the cost of doing ministry.  Focusing time and energy on fund-raising saps the energy from ministry and can ultimately shift the focus away from God's work, and when God's work is no longer the focal point of our attention, we lose the excitement about being involved with the church, and the downward spiral gains momentum and spreads from the financial side to all aspects of congregational life.  Let's do our best each week to support our ministry!

From Martin Luther 

 

 

A Sermon on the Power and the Fruits of Christ's Resurrection; Mark 16:1-8

                                                            --published in 1525

 

"In the Gospel of John, Christ tells Mary Magdalene of the benefit and use of his death and resurrection still more plainly, when he says: 'But go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.' John 20:17. This is one of the great and comforting passages upon which we can venture, and of which we dare boast. As if Christ had said: 'Go hence, Mary, and say to my disciples who have deserted me on the field of battle, and who have well merited punishment and eternal condemnation, that my resurrection has taken place for their benefit; that is, by my resurrection I have brought it to pass that my Father is their Father, and my God is their God.' These are few words and very short; but they contain a great thought, namely, that we have as great a confidence and refuge in God as Christ his Son himself has. Who can grasp such exceeding joy, unless one speaks of himself when he says a poor, corrupt sinner can and may call God his Father and his God, just like Christ himself does?"

General Fund Recap

White Envelope giving needed:

 $ 1,400.per week:    
 $ 5,600 in a 4-Sunday month

 $ 7,000 in a 5-Sunday month

March White Envelopes

3/2/08                                  2,346.00

3/9/08                                     825.00

3/16/08                                   514.00

3/23/08                                   981.003/30/08                                   427.00

TOTAL                            $5,393.00

April Birthdays!!! 

         

Ebay Leon Germany Sr.	4-05
Anthony Reed	4-07
Lee Carrington	4-09
DeShawn Davis	4-11
Darnell Thompson	4-17
Leigh Seabright	4-20
Qaadir Anderson	4-22
Cloe Seabright	4-23
Jessica Diggs	4-24
Joanne Diggs	4-26
Billy Scott	4-27