The Congregational Connection

Lord of Life Lutheran Church June 2011 Volume 16 Issue 6

From the Pastor The time after Pentecost: Since Pentecost, the fiftieth day, is the conclusion of Easter, or the "green season," which had begun the Monday following the Baptism of the Lord and which was interrupted by Lent and Easter, resumes the Monday after Pentecost. It is a mistake to understand the time after Pentecost as the "Season of Pentecost," for the day marks the end and culmination, not a beginning. The color for the Sundays after Pentecost are green which symbolizes life and growth following the Ascension of our Lord. We begin to hear about the life of the church in a different way. During these days the challenge is to walk as a disciple, carrying one's own cross contemplating the cost won on the cross as our Lord was Crucified. Our Lord although living, is the living crucified Lord.

Peace, Pastor Hugus

Ministry Highlights June 5 1:00 p.m. Soup Kitchen/WoodyTeam June 9 LSS-Jacksonville Food Fight June 14 6:30 p.m. Ladies Night Out/Pusser’s June 19 9:00-noon Father’s Day Blood Drive 11:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast June 21 7:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting June 27-July 1 5:30 p.m. Vacation Bible School: Big Jungle Adventure

Ladies Night Out Ladies Night Out this month will be at Pusser’s on June 14th at 6:30 p.m. It is located near the ATP Tournament Plaza and south of Sawgrass. Come join us for great food and fellowship. Call Jackie Woloscheck (810-8357) if you plan to attend.

Pancake Breakfast The Pancake Breakfast was awesome last month as always. This month it will be June 19th following worship.

Happy Father’s Day

Father’s Day Blood Drive! The Florida Georgia Blood Alliance will be at Lord of Life on Sunday, June 19th from 9-12. They are critically low on blood and need your donation. If you are able to give, please do. And bring or tell a friend about the drive. Every drop counts! Kristen Bankert will be coordinating times, so email her ([email protected]) or see her Sunday. Thank you for your support!

1 Vacation Bible School Big Jungle Adventure: Faith Journey with Jesus June 27-July 1 5:30-8:00 p.m. Big Jungle Adventure will encourage children to remember that Jesus is with them every step of the way on their faith journey. Life is a big adventure, especially to a little person, but we are never alone.

The program will leave the kids with lasting impressions of just how big our God is and will build a relationship with the Lord that will last a lifetime.

Prepare for a swingin’ good time! For more information, speak with Leann Wiggins (222-5880) VBS Coordinator.

BEAM News Hi BEAM Churches, and Beth-El, the Beaches Synagogue, BEAM has experienced unprecedented growth in the demand for food and financial assistance over the last three years of the recession. As you know, our client base increased by 50% from 2008 to 2009, and last year we served almost 14,000 clients with food, rent and utility assistance, help with food stamps, free tax preparation, and much, much more. This is our "new normal," but we are managing this work with only 4 staffers and our amazing team of 100+ weekly volunteers. This puts extraordinary pressure on staff and volunteers to field the requests for help. Clients call into our main client phone number, 241-2326 (241-BEAM) for appointments for food pick-up and for financial assistance. While we're able to answer most phone calls asking for food appointments (appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes during all our open hours and these fill up almost every day), funds are limited for financial appointments, so we are only able to "afford" five appointments each day. We could easily fill 50 each day if funds were unlimited.

Clients calling in for financial appointments are scheduled on a first come/first served basis, so we never have enough appointments. We have been working with our partners at United Way, which has fielded incoming client phone calls from Catholic Charities and Jewish Family and Community Services for the last year, and we are going to begin to route our FINANCIAL assistance calls through United Way's 211 line beginning on Monday, June 6th. The 2-1-1 service is a non-emergency phone line available now in most counties in the United States and is staffed locally 24/7/365 by United Way staffers. Clients who call into BEAM at the 241- 2326 number will continue to receive menu options. Option 2 (our current financial appointment line) will direct clients to call 2-1-1. The phone staffers at 2-1-1 will field these incoming calls and post the data on their NEFN (Northeast Florida Network) website AND will email BEAM's Director of Client Services, Kathy Maloney with the names and contact phone numbers of clients. Kathy will then call the clients, most likely within a few hours but NO LATER THAN THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS day, and pre-interview these clients. Those who qualify for BEAM financial assistance will be scheduled for a next day appointment.

This helps BEAM and BEAM's clients in three critical ways: 1.Clients who are outside of BEAM's service area (5 zip codes) will be routed to appropriate agencies where they may be able to get financial services AND

2.Clients looking for services that BEAM does NOT provide will be routed to agencies who offer the services requested.

3.Clients who are IN BEAM's service area will have a better chance of getting through to BEAM for available financial services.

Please note that BEAM staff has always and will continue to have a door open to our partner churches and social services. If you have a special situation which needs immediate attention, we welcome your phone call.

Vivian Southwell Executive Director

2 Letter from Bishop Benoway Dear Friends in Christ, I am sure that you have read and heard about the devastating tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri. As the ELCA, we continue to deal with the disasters in the southeast from other tornadoes and flooding of the Mississippi River. The need for financial assistance in recovery and support of those who have lost their homes and livelihoods is great. We are also involved as a church in recovery and rebuilding efforts in Japan and other countries where disaster has struck.

Please read over the message from our ELCA Disaster Response below and respond as you are able and led by the Spirit. The joy of being Church together is that we try to be there for one another and our communities in such times as these.

In Christ and His Love, +Bishop Ed Benoway Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, An outbreak of tornadoes tore across the Midwest this weekend, leaving a path of destruction from Texas to Minnesota. Especially hard-hit is Joplin, Mo., where a powerful tornado leveled parts of the community, killing at least 89 people. Residents say the city is completely unrecognizable.

The building that housed an ELCA congregation has been destroyed, according to its pastor. Please keep the Rev. Bill Pape and the people of Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin in your prayers.

This outbreak is one of several destructive storms this spring. Communities throughout the Midwest and South have also faced widespread damage due to floods and severe storms.

ELCA Disaster Response is already assessing the situation in Joplin and other areas affected by severe storms and flooding. Your gifts are needed to help provide for the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by these disasters.

All of your gifts-100 percent-designated for "U.S. Severe Storms" will be used for emergency and long- term assistance following these storms. Please give generously and continue to pray for those whose lives have been uprooted by this disaster.

Sincerely, The Rev. Daniel Rift Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

Ways to Give Check or money orders sent to: ELCA Disaster Response 39330 Treasury Center Chicago, IL 60694-9300 Write "U.S. Severe Storms" on your check's memo line. Give by phone at 800-638-3522 or online at www.elca.org/springstorms

Birthdays Anniversaries 6/01 Kevin Bankert 6/12 Aaron Nye 6/22 Ed & Wendy Mowat 6/02 Sarah Votaw 6/13 Wendy Mowat 6/26 Floyd & Cathy Wiggins 6/05 Dolly Holcomb 6/26 Karen Bianchi 6/29 Tom & Beth Leppeard 6/10 Anna Woody 6/30 Ronald Case

3 21 st Annual FOODFIGHT™ Fine food and spirits will abound – along with a festive battle for best culinary presentation – on Thursday, June 9, when the 21st Annual Jacksonville FOODFIGHT™ takes place at EverBank Field’s Touchdown Club East. ♦ Enjoy Jacksonville's biggest party of the year! ♦ More than 50 of the First Coast's finest restaurants, caterers and beverage wholesalers ♦ Held at the plush EverBank Field Touchdown Club East ♦ Live music provided by Jacksonville band Split Tone ♦ All proceeds benefit Jacksonville's food bank, Second Harvest North Florida

How Second Harvest North Florida will use your contribution:

♦ For every $1 donated, Second Harvest can create 7 meals for people in need.

♦ For every $100 donated, Second Harvest can provide a weekly backpack full of nutritious food to feed a child on weekends and during school breaks, when food might not be available in his or her home. ♦ $100,000 raised at the Jacksonville FOODFIGHT would mean an additional 700,000 meals reaching struggling families in our community.

Order tickets by phone at 904.739.707

The Sharing Place Thrift Store in dire need of donations The Sharing Place Thrift Store, like many thrift stores around the country, has seen a downturn in its donation volume in recent months. Many items are needed to keep the store running strong – including furniture, household goods, appliances, clothing and collectibles.

In addition to generating revenue that supports the LSS programs, the The Sharing Place also produces much-needed resources to help furnish apartments for newly arrived refugees who are resettled by LSS into the Jacksonville community. LSS has requested to receive more refugees for resettlement in 2011, meaning even more items will be needed to help with their resettlement.

Specific needs for the refugee program currently are bedroom dressers, chests, kitchen tables and chairs and twin mattresses.

All donations can be brought to The Sharing Place Thrift Store at 4615 Philips Highway. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 904.446.9560. For larger donations, pickups can be arrange by contacting Linda Hale at 904.448.5995 or [email protected].

WELCA Bible Study Saturday, August 27th 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. St. Andrews by the Sea Come and enjoy a Bible Study on the summer material found in the Lutheran Woman Today. A salad lunch is being planned, St. Andrews will provide lettuce and those attending bring a salad topping. RVSP by August 20 to Barb Henry at 294-2901 or Kathy Clifford at 221-1763. 4 Remember in our prayers those with special concerns, including:

Homebound/Assisted Living Facilities: Lucille Halstead, (Life Center) Members in the Military James Saurman (USMC) Members Harlan Bankert, Jennie Case, MaryBeth Henningsen, Verna Horn, Hilda Markantonatos, Madeline Sievers, Vivian Steinbach, Sarah Williams, Jackie Woloscheck

Relatives & Friends: Samantha Kelley (Cathy Wiggins) Julia (Amelia Orth) Beulah Landon (Deb Nye) Julia (Amelia Orth) Eric/Miles Lanterman (visitors, Renee Farrell) Evan & Brent Baker (Dorothy Waple) Linda Larrimore (Kevin Larrimore) Sandy Berg (Jean Bankert) Willard Larrimore (Kevin Larrimore) Todd Blake (Mario Bianchi) Delia Loupee (Nancy Chojn/Leann Wiggins) Connor Bos (Leann Wiggins) Tom Magner (Grietens, Mowat) Alvina Braatz (Brenda Braatz) Mark Markantonatos (Hilda Markantonatos) Georgia Braddock (Hilda Markantonatos) Andres Marquez (Hilda Markantonatos) Aleatha Brantner (Hilda Markantonatos) Ellen McKenny (Hilda Markantonatos) Tim & Erin Broderick (Mowats) Robert & Cheryl Meyer (Hilda Markantonatos) Frieda Carillo (Hilda Markantonatos) Shannon Hitchcock Miller (Karen Bianchi) Sarah Carter (Kristen Bankert) Madeline Moore (Amelia Orth) Naomi Casagrande (Karen Bianchi) Diane Marlette (Woloscheck family) Vickie Centeno (Dorothy Waple) Mandy Ohorodnik (Nancy Connors) Robert Cole, Sr. & Jr. (Brenda Braatz) Bill Orth (Bob Orth) Juan, Johnny, Shannon Colon (Hilda Markantonatos) Leslie Pace (Bonnie Hardman) Adrian & Olivia Colon (Dorothy Waple) Angela Romans (Brenda Braatz) Margaret Darty (Bill Darty) Chrystal Rhude (Nancy Chojn) Carol Davis (Nancy Connors) Kimberly Severson (Hilda Markantonatos) DeCarlo (Logan Mowat) Connie Shaffer (Kristen Bankert) Marlie Didson (Kristen Bankert) Naomi Songer (Dolly Holcomb) Peggy Ellis (Deb Nye) Lauren Strayer (Kristen Bankert) Marcella Furnival (Jackie Woloscheck) James Stoneback (Nancy Chojn) Alicia Gonzalez (Hilda Markantonatos) Sherrill Sullivan (Kristen Bankert) Brenda Jewell Grafton Garner (Hilda Markantonatos) Jennifer Toonk & family (Wendy Mowat) Marita and Terry Greene (Dolly Holcomb) Riley Turner (Nancy Connors) Anne Hager (Hilda Markantonatos) Kathy Waple & family (Dorothy Waple) Janeene Hart (Bianchi family) Joshua Ward (Dolly Holcomb) Jan Holcomb (Smith & Dolly Holcomb) MaryAnn Ward (Deb Nye) Josh & Jenny Honeycutt (regular visitors) Deb Williford (Wendy Mowat) George Inman (Wendy Mowat) Anna Wroblewski (Sarah Williams) Carmen Jimenez (Hilda Markantonatos) Laura Young (Wendy Mowat) Sharon Jobbs & family (Brenda Braatz) Michael Zich (Sarah Williams) Joan Johnson (Jackie Woloscheck) Rita Zich (Sarah Williams) Pat Kaminshi (Pat Darty)

Families Mourning Loss: Guy Darty (Bill Darty) Arnie Henningsen (Marybeth Henningsen) Carol Irvine (Mowat family) Howard Lanterman (Renee Farrell) Mr. Marlette (Woloscheck family) William Waple (Dorothy Waple)

Family of Prayer Partners are: Karen Bianchi, Amelia Orth, and Jackie Woloscheck To Put Someone on the Prayer List: you can either call the office at 285-5347 or email the office at [email protected].

5 About Our Church… Staff, Officers, Church Council Our Vision is to be the body of Christ, Interim Pastor Rev. John Hugus proclaiming God’s love to all in a broken world and Parish Secretary Deb Nye connecting the people of Ponte Vedra Beach and Lead Musician Mike Ulmer surrounding communities with the healing power of President Wendy Mowat hope and peace brought by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Vice President Nancy Connors Cong.Secretary Jean Bankert Our Mission is to gather as a community of believers Treasurer Cathy Wiggins empowered by the Holy Spirit to Financial Secretary John Sievers spread God’s Word and love as His caring people. Council Karen Bianchi Council Brenda Braatz Our Guiding Principles: Council Nancy Connors Jesus is our Lord and Savior Council Kevin Larrimore leading and encouraging Christ-centered lives Council Hilda Markantonatos (Philippians 2:9-11) Council Rick Woody Everyone is Welcome all are forgiven at the foot of the cross Ministry Leaders (Luke 15:1-2) Discipleship Leann Wiggins Fellowship Nancy Chojn Providing Sanctuary in a Broken World Finance Kevin Larrimore sharing Christ’s message of peace and hope Mutual/Staff Support VACANT (1 Peter 2:9) Outreach Kristen Bankert Property VACANT Serving Others with Compassion Stewardship John Sievers letting the love of Christ flow from us into the world Witness VACANT (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) Worship Hilda Markantonatos

Returning our Gifts for God’s Work growing good stewards of the environment, Building Ministry Team and our time, abilities and financial resources Wendy Mowat Deb Nye (2 Corinthians 9:8) Bob Orth Floyd Wiggins

Teaching and Modeling Christian Values nurturing new, renewed and deeper discipleship (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Sunday Worship 9:45 a.m. Partners in Ministry Holy Communion celebrated Stay Connected with Us! Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Paul Lutze Pastor Hugus: (904) 655-7782 Office: (904) 285-5347 FL-Bahamas Synod ELCA website Fax: (904) 273-8271 www.fbsynod.com www.elca.org Email: [email protected] Web Site: lordoflifepvb.org Lutheran Social Services Lutheran Outdoor 6 www.lssjax.org Ministries of FL www.lomfla.org CONGREGATIONAL CONNECTION Lord of Life Lutheran Church ELCA 276 N. Roscoe Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

To our friends…