Shepherd’s Voice Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Feeding bodies, minds and souls...

Volume 12 • Issue 12 Rev’s Reflections 2 Story of El Salvador One of my favorite interactions in scripture is between Mary, the mother of 4 Happenings Jesus, and the Angel at the Annunciation.

5 Council President News The author of Luke records the account, “And [The Angel] came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord 6 Men’s Bible Study Info is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”

7 Friends Feeding Friends

January Newsletter Articles I like this interaction because Mary’s response is real. She is afraid and Due December 21, 2016 perplexed at what the Angel is talking about. When God comes to us we often experience both of these emotions confusion and fear. We are confused as to why God is interrupting our lives and setting us in a differ- ent direction. We are scared that the divine has interfered with the course December we have laid out for ourselves.

Mother Mary received the Angels greeting. She carried Jesus, God in the flesh, in her body for nine months, and bore him to the world. Meditating on her action of receiving the Holy Spirit, having Jesus formed within her,

and then pushing him out for the world to see is a worthy past time. As we await his coming at Christmas in the manger, and his coming again we re-

member Mary’s faithfulness to God’s Kingdom.

In the Eastern Church they refer to Mary as “Theotokos” which means God

bearer. Mary is the archetype for all Christians, we seek to have God take up residents within us daily. But, it doesn’t end with us, our faith leads us to Good Shepherd live as one united to God. In baptism we receive the Holy Spirit, we are Lutheran Church united to Jesus, and then we are called to bear him in our bodies to the 4000 Clayton Road world. We as followers of Jesus are his hands and feet in the world.

Concord, CA 94521 May we remember Mary and her faithfulness as we approach Christmas. 925-682-8410 May we seek to follow her example of saying “yes” when angels come to us. gsconcord.com And May we always seek to show others the God who ls within.

Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. Peace, Rev. Refreshments and Sunday School for All Ages begins at 10:15 a.m. Page 2

El Salvador – Why poverty and corruption?

At the Salvadorian brunch where Sue Hertless and Betty Jacobsen reported on their visit to Resurrection Lutheran in El Salvador the question was asked “What do you know about El Salvador?” Answers were ”Corruption” and “Poverty” and those are good answers To understand the poverty and corruption we need to know something about the recent history of the country.

El Salvador’s civil war during the 1980’s was a war between the military led government and five left-wing guerrilla groups. The has estimated that 85% of the killings during the civil war were by the military and 5% by the guerrilla groups (it doesn’t add up to 100%, but these are the UN’s estimates). More than 75,000 people were killed in a population of a little over 5 million (1.5% of the population). When the civil war ended over 1 million people (1 in 5) were displaced. 40% of the homes of those displaced had been destroyed and 25% of the remaining homes needed major repairs.

Many of El Salvador’s problems started because of income inequality and social injustice. In the 1900s it is estimated that 95% of the income from El Salvador’s chief export (coffee) went to 2% of the population. This led to sharp division between the small powerful elite and the impoverished majority. Tension increased during the 1929 Stock Market Crash when coffee prices dropped. The peasants and indigenous people formed the Central American Socialist Party and led an uprising to address this inequality that is known as “The Massacre.” During “The Massacre” the military killed over 10,000 people. In 1969, economic disparity increased during a four day military conflict between El Salvador and Honduras due to immigration policies and land reform laws (known as the Football War), where it is estimated that 300,000 Salvadorians were displaced and trade was disrupted. Following this war El Salvador increased their military spending to modernize their army and keep the masses under control.

The 1973 Oil Crisis led to rising food prices and decreased agricultural output which made the socioeco- nomic inequality even worse. Attempts at land reform failed due to opposition from the elite. More discontent resulted from an election marred by blatant fraud and voter intimidation.

Tension continued to mount and the United States government saw the outcome of the conflict between the military and civil population as a fortuitous event (in view of the recent overthrow of the Nicaragua government, Somoza, by guerrillas). The U.S. increased aid to the Salvadorian military to prevent an overthrow of the government. This increased aid resulted in Archbishop Oscar Romero publishing an open letter to President in February, 1980, pleading with him to suspend U.S. aid to the military. He warned the U.S. that support would only “sharpen the injustice and repression” of the people in El Salvador. A month later the Archbishop was assassinated and the previously non-military groups were morphing into guerrilla forces. In May, 1980, the leaders of the guerilla forces met in Havana to form Farabundo Maetl National Liberation Front (FMLN). This meeting in Havana, a communist country, increased the resolve of the U.S. to support the El Salvador military and the support continued during the Reagan and Bush Administrations.

The ten year plus civil war resulted in “scorched earth” strategy (displacing or killing civilians who supported the guerrillas), military “sweeps” through general population, death squads, 20,000 refuges crossing the border to Honduras (Christian our contact at Resurrection and his family were among these refugees), disappearing civilians, nuns and priest being killed and violations of human rights. Despite a UN Peace Treaty signed in 1990, conflict continued to a lesser degree.

Continued on next page. December 2016

The Contra Costa Interfaith Climate Action Network (ICAN)

ICAN is a group of members of faith communities and concerned citizens associated with the Social Justice Alliance of the Interfaith Council and California Interfaith Power and Light. We’re reaching out to congregations that feel called to be stewards of the Earth and activists for social justice. We’re planning an advocacy training to bring people together to learn new strategies to alleviate the suffering in Contra Costa County that results from the effects of climate chaos.

If interested or have questions call Jan Warren at 925-818-6530 or email: [email protected]

El Salvador – Why poverty and corruption? Continued from previous page.

By 1993, a new civilian police force was deployed to replace the military and the Salvadorian Constitu- tion was amended to prohibit the military from playing an internal security role except under extraordi- nary circumstances. Today, although there is no civil war, many of the injustices and repression that Archbishop Oscar Romero wrote about still exists. We will be reporting on them in the next Shepherd’s Voice.

We pray that our efforts in supporting Resurrection Lutheran Church will show we care and ultimately, in a small way, address the poverty and corruption that their people are feeling.

– The Evangelism Committee

Church Office Holiday Information

Because Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays fall on Sundays, both holidays are observed on the following Mondays this year (December 26 and January 2).

The church office will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Thanks to modern technology, the office phone will be monitored during business hours, should there be an immediate need, please leave a detailed message and you will receive a call back. Page 4

December Leisure Lunch December The holiday season is a busy time for all of us, Birthdays and so it is for the Leisure Lunchers !

Come and have some holiday fun with a delicious lunch, Elizabeth Kich 04 delightful fellowship and a few surprises, too. Richard Koehler 05 Tuesday, December 6 from Noon - 1:30 in Fellowship Hall. Kathy Price 05 Call Susan and Bob Ripley at 925-827-9717 for questions. Carter Munson-Ring 06 Everyone is welcome! Wilma Seppala 06

Holly Pereira 07

Lori Randolph 07

Monica Berg 13 Madelyn Setchell 14 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Lilah Roza 17 Christmas Eve Worship Schedule Carin Olson 18

Bob Ripley 19 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.

Luke Bartlett 20 Christmas Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Karl Bohling 22 New Year’s Day Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Madison Berg-LeDoux 23

Dylan Magic 23

Evelyne Kingwell 24 Christmas Eve Worship Assistants Needed Judy Haier 25

Allison Buchholz 31 Lector for both the 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. services

Rosemary Fassl 31 Two Communion Assistants for both the 7:00 &11:00 p.m. services

Usher Teams are needed for both the 7:00 & 11:00 p.m. services

Greeters are also needed at both the 7:00 & 11:00 p.m. services

If you can serve, please call the church office and let Laura or Rev know you are available. Thank You! December2016

News from the Council President Wedding

Hello everyone, Anniversaries

Here are some highlights from our last Church Council meeting on November 1st: Ron and Mary Figueroa - Recognitions: o Sue Hertless recognized Pastor Jeremy for his 2 year anniversary December 15, 1967 here at Good Shepherd.

- Nominating Committee is looking for church members interested in joining next year’s council. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Jeremy. This is a rewarding way to learn more about our church and to help set the course for the upcoming year.

- Advent Boxes are available in the narthex. This is a great way to give Ruth Circle Bible Study back during this season of Advent. Ruth Circle will be meeting - Pledge/Time and Talent Cards – please don’t forget to fill out your on December 8 at 10 a.m. cards for the upcoming year. in the church kitchen to prepare Christmas tins full Until next time… of delicious cookies for our Greg Buchholz homebound members. We hope you will join us Jan. 12, at 10:00 a.m., as we continue our journey through the Bible.

Drop in to the Pastor’s House for Hot Cocoa, Delicious Cookies and Festive Christmas Carols 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, December 11. Page 6

DON’T FORGET

Please turn in your pledges of Time, Talent and Treasure for 2017. Everyone’s contribution is vital to our continued health as a caring congregation. Thank you from your Stewardship & Finance Committees

Beginning on Saturday, January 28, 2017 Join Rev for a Men’s Bible Study and Pancake Breakfast 8:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Little Things Mean a Lot

A special thank you for saving your aluminum cans for "Raising the Roof" at Resurrection Lutheran in El Salvador. As of November 27, 2016 we have raised $120.

We appreciate you saving those cans. Just bring them to church on Sunday morning or drop them off at the church.

The Evangelism Committee

Good Shepherd Book Club January 2017

A FULL LIFE: REFLECTIONS AT NINETY by former President Jimmy Carter is the book we will be discussing at our next meeting on January 10, 2017. Jimmy Carter, thirty-ninth President, winner, international humanitarian, and fisherman, reflects on his full and happy life with pride, humor, and a few second thoughts.  He talks about his youth in rural Georgia.  He writes about racism and the isolation of the Carters.  He describes the brutality of the hazing regimen at Annapolis, and how he nearly lost his life twice serving on submarines and his amazing interview with Admiral Rickover.  He describes the profound influence his mother had on him, and how he admired his father even though he didn't emulate him.  He admits that he decided to quit the Navy and later enter politics without consulting his wife, Rosalynn, and how appalled he is in retrospect.  He is frank about the presidents who have succeeded him, world leaders, and his passions for the causes he cares most about, particularly the condition of women and the deprived people of the developing world.

Join us at 7:30 p.m., in the Fireside Room, Tuesday, January 10, to discuss this book and the devout Christian man who wrote it. December 2016

Friends Feeding Friends

An outreach ministry of Good Shepherd that serves the needy in our county

Friends Feeding Friends Sarah Jean’s Highlights for the Past Month Dream at age 4 — “So people who 1068 Bags of food distributed are really hungry 1083 People helped with food have food.” 309 Hot Meals served

Highlights:  We welcomed Ameriprise Financial for their National Day of Service. Ameriprise volunteers and Tabernacle families prepared a hot Thanksgiving lunch and served it at the Concord shelter. Volunteers also packed Thanksgiving grocery boxes, food bags and grooming supplies. Thank you for your help!!  Special thanks to all who donated grocery gift cards. The gift cards were distributed to families along with the Thanksgiving grocery boxes, fresh For we are produce, and breads. Thank you for blessing these families! God’s  FFF is still collecting athletic shoes through the end of December. These workmanship shoes will be distributed to needy folks all over the world through Angel Bins. created in Christ Jesus to do good works, Next Shelter Lunch: December 17, 2016: 9:00 at Good Shepherd to prep. All are welcome!! which God

prepared in Items needed this month: advance for us  Bath towels (New or used) to do.  Dishes Ephesians 2:10

Pictured are Ameriprise Financial employees from multiple No. California offices. Thank you Ameriprise for your service! We loved having you here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Worship Assistants December 4 through January 1, 2017

Sue Sue

Kelly

Greg

Betty Betty

Adam Adam

Castle

C.O.D.

Hertless

Schaefer Schaefer

Jacobsen

Buchholz

and and and and and

Nils Nils

Tony Tony

Betty Betty Betty

Gordon Gordon Monroe

Reyanne Reyanne Reyanne

Jacobsen Jacobsen Freeman Freeman

Rogelstad

Anderson

Counters

Jan Carzino Jan Carzino

Karin Karin Bohling

Jon Jon

and and and

Rich Rich

Gary Gary

Greg

Moss

Heidi Heidi Linda

Kristi Kristi

Service

Coffee Coffee

Mahloch

Buchholz

Ministry

No No Coffee

Batchelder

and Connie Connie and

Ins

-

to to Shut

Sue Hertless Sue

Communion Communion

Jamie Jamie Jamie Jamie Jamie

Sound Sound

Ministry

Rodemsky Rodemsky Rodemsky Rodemsky Rodemsky

and and

Doug Doug

Olson

Ushers

Reyanne Reyanne

Figueroa

Freeman

Ron Figueroa Ron

Jim Jim Carin and

Sam Buchholz Sam

Mary and Ron

Mary Figueroa

Greg Buchholz Greg

and

Sander

Figueroa

Greeters

Willajean Willajean

Rogelstad

Kay Bennett Kay Bennett Kay

Nancy Judge Nancy

Ron and Mary Mary and Ron

Jeannette Kaul Kaul Jeannette Kaul Jeannette

Mark Deniston Mark

Rosemary Fassl Rosemary

Tracey Rentner Rentner Tracey

Jay Neyenhouse

and Rosie Glenn Rosie and

Larry and Marcia and Larry

Leone Leone

Willajean Willajean

Rogelstad Rogelstad

Pam Dietz Pam

Else Else Welsh

Heidi Moss Heidi

Ione Bantly Ione Berg Becky

Jan Harmon

McCullough

Nancy Judge Nancy

Sue Hertless Sue

Altar Guild Altar

Karin Karin Bohling

Laura Laura Carlson Kich Elizabeth

Linda Mahloch Abeyta Donna

Tracey Rentner Tracey

Cindy Cindy Rogelstad

Vicki Smiglewski Vicki

Levi

Sam Sam

Allie Allie

Serrano Serrano

Buchholz Buchholz Buchholz

Crucifer

Caedmon

Acolyte, Acolyte,

Altar Guild Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar

Torchbearer

Nils Nils

Linda

Donna Donna

Various Various

Lector

Albrecht

Anderson

John Mott

Rodemsky

and and and and

Assistant

Kelly Schaefer Kelly Schaefer Kelly Schaefer Kelly

Susan Susan Metzger Susan Metzger

Communion Communion

Rosemary Fassl Fassl Rosemary

Linda Rodemsky Linda

Candace Bradley Candace

Linda Rodemsky Linda Rodemsky

er

t

Sue Sue

Erin Erin

Kelly

Lauren Lauren

Bradley Bradley

Wardle Wardle Wardle

Hertless Hertless Schaefer

Candace Candace

Minis

Assisting Assisting

9:00 9:00 9:00

10:30

Time 10:30

Date

1/01

12/25

12/04 12/11 12/18

December 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9:00 a.m. Sunday Schedule: 1 2 3 8:30 a.m. Senior Food (FH) 9:00 a.m. DVLC 9:00 a.m. Worship (CH) 6:00 p.m. Lighthouse (Rm. 3) Prep for Christ- 10:15 Sunday School for all 10:15 a.m. Coffee (FH) 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts (FH) mas Luncheon 12:30 Lighthouse (FH)(#3) 7:00 p.m. (Pub)lic Theology 12:00 p.m. DVLC 6:00 p.m. NA Group (FH) E.J. Phair, Salvio St. Luncheon

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9:00 a.m. Schedule 3:00 p.m. Worship and 10:00 a.m. Ruth Circle (FH) See above. Music Committee (FH) 10:00 a.m. DVLC Board 7:00 p.m. NA (FH) (Rm 3) 2:00 p.m. Finance Com 6:00 p.m. Lighthouse (Rm.3) 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts (FH)

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9:00 a.m. Schedule 7:00 p.m. NA (FH) 8:30 a.m. Senior Food (FH) 9:00 a.m. Friends See above. 7:00 p.m. Council 6:00 p.m. Lighthouse (Rm.3) Feeding Friends Meeting (FH) 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts (FH) ( Kit)

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 9:30 a.m. Schedule 7:00 p.m. NA (FH) Christmas Eve See above. 7:00 p.m. Long Range 6:00 p.m. Lighthouse Chu Worship Services Newsletter Property Comm. 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts (FH) 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 Articles Due (FH) p.m.

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10:30 a.m. Christmas 7:00 p.m. NA (FH) 6:00 p.m. Lighthouse (Rm.3) Worship. 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts (FH) No Sunday School Merry Christmas! Office Closed December 26 through December 30

CH = Church FH = Fellowship Hall FR = Fireside Room Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

2016 Executive Committee: President: Greg Buchholz, Vice President: Leone McCullough, Secretary: Betty Jacobsen Member-at-Large:

2016 Congregational Council: Nils Anderson, Candace Bradley, Greg Buchholz, Adam Castle, Sue Hertless, Betty Jacobsen, Leone McCullough, John Mott, Tony Rogelstad, Kelly Schaefer

Ministry Staff: Pastor: Rev. Jeremy Serrano - [email protected] Office Administrator: Laura Mott - [email protected] Organist: Christopher Hewitt - [email protected] Bell Choir Director: ---- Choir Director: Kathleen Flemming Contemporary Music Leader: Tom Deans Flegel - [email protected] Sound/Technology: Jamie Rodemsky - [email protected] Treasurer: Laura Mott - [email protected] Financial Secretary: Vicki Smiglewski

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 4000 Clayton Road Concord, CA 94521

Merry Christmas!

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church exists to reach out in Jesus name and gather in deep community, to learn and grow into God's Kingdom, to serve our neighbor and worship the creator.