E tensions April, 2021

Our Mission . . . to be the Heart, Hands and Voice of Christ Equipping the Saints The Perfect Recipe Cast your burdens on the Lord- Psalm 55:22 There was a lovely lady next door who had very long hair and she would let me comb it. She was very kind. I really The year was 1946. This cute little red headed girl was liked her and felt very safe with her. The kind woman left about 3 years old then. Today the year is 2021 and this me with a feeling of being cared for and loved. Sort of little girl is now in her late 70’s. She has just experi- like a delicious recipe that had all the right ingredients. enced, along with everyone else on this whole earth, a Therefore, it tasted complete and it was very good. To worldwide pandemic, a highly contagious virus called contrast that memory with another very vivid person, COVID-19. The world as we once knew it, a vibrant, there was a man who lived next door and he also liked engaging, mobile world has been shut down now for me, but thought it fun to tease me. He, would call me a whole year. All entertainment, restaurants, visiting Carrot Top and would say “I would rather be dead than friends and family has gone into quarantine. Until red in the head.” He then would tassel my hair and leave very recently, in-person church had been cancelled out a big laugh. I hated his teasing. I felt afraid and knew, with worship services being watched on our comput- even at that young, age that it was unkind. The unkind ers or smartphone. If we do venture out to the grocery man left me with a feeling that it was like a recipe that or other essential errands, we have to wear a mask, had a missing ingredient. Thus, making it undesirable. social distance 6’ apart, and wash and sanitize every- thing we bring into the house, etc. etc.! Going thru the COVID quarantine this past year has given me time to reflect upon my childhood memo- No, this is not a science fiction story! I told you about ries. There have been some bumpy spots this year and the 3-year old girl, now an elderly 70+ woman, be- we have had to rely on a power bigger than ourselves. cause this year that she has been home by herself, Problems are a testing ground to prove our dependence there were many hours to reminisce the memories upon God. When we have been pressed beyond our own of her whole life, as far back as she could remember. strength, we have had to cast our burdens on God and I venture to guess that all of you have had this same He has blessed us beyond measure. experience, bringing to the surface things that you ha- ven’t thought about for most of your life. Many of us King of Glory has answered the call from God to be cleaned out corners of our homes that we have been KIND, to LOVE and to SERVE those in need. The re- meaning to do for a long, long time. lief of casting our cares upon God is like the relief I’m sensing, as this long ordeal is ending. We cannot bear No surprise, this cute little girl happens to be me, but it our burdens alone, but as we come together to celebrate probably could have been any one of you. During the Easter let us remind ourselves that Jesus, who is risen, past year I started to play a game with myself trying to can bear those burdens for us. Not only can He carry our recall my earliest memories spanning the years right concerns, He can carry us. up to the present. Some of those memories were very good and others were not so good. Those experiences The Perfect Recipe: Love, Kindness, Trustworthiness, shaped me into the person that I am today and contin- Strength, Courageous, Compassion, Joy, and Peace be ue to become. My earliest memories took me back to with you! when I was 3 years old. Two stories that I very vividly Amen, Your Elders could remember were quite opposite from each other. Pastor’s Column

With Fewer in Church Nationwide? - Affluence, Options, and Con-

I picked out this title very carefully. By “American class also now not worshiping as much as they used Church” I mean not just the ELCA but all American to, on average? Lose points to another, new factor churches, put together, because nearly all American in our 21st century affluent life:the loss of time. churches are declining in enrollment, over the last several years. I was reminded of this when I read an “Affluence,” says Lose, “creates a crisis of choice.” Ev- interesting post on the internet years ago by David ery year we have more choices on how to use our Lose prominent ELCA church leader. time – through the burgeoning of more TV chan- nels and radio channels and more internet articles As Lose writes, the so-called “decline” of the Amer- and more movies and more and more things that ican church is across the board – “from liberal to we feel our kids need to be a part of as they grow up conservative, Roman Catholic to Protestant, evan- – and this multiplying of choices has a strange effect gelical to mainline.” Of course there are several rea- on us. Studies are showing that the more choices we sons people now give for that decline. The first thing have, the more it all seems “rather overwhelming,” David Lose points out is that the church is not at all making “all options seem less attractive.” As Lose declining outside of Europe and North America. “In concludes: “Why go to church, more and more won- Latin America, in Asia, and in Africa,” Lose writes, der, when there are so many other things to do that “the Christian church is growing, more so than in might benefit us more?” (Especially, I might add, any other religion, including Islam.” (This according the growing appeal of the choice of “rest” on Sunday to Philip Jenkins in his book “The Next Christen- from all those other things we are now expected to dom.”) know and be a part of the rest of the week!)

So, Lose asks, why the problems in Europe and North You see, our consumer culture in America says to America? He says that one of the dominant reasons us, “You’ve got to take time to do this or know that is “the incredible affluence enjoyed in Europe and or practice this or you’re going to feel excluded from North America.” Affluence, he notes, “tends to give this get-ahead society.” And it’s very hard not to buy us a sense of control, even mastery over our envi- into that warning, that message. The downside of ronment and to appreciate and perhaps even to ex- buying into that is that there’s only so much of us to aggerate, our abilities.” He then points out that “in go around! We need to stop, take a breath, worship such an environment” of constant material progress God at church, and thereby provide a solid founda- “the language of sin can feel outmoded, even offen- tion for our lives, or we are in trouble – not only as sive,” coming across as “a mark of failure. To admit a church, but, more importantly, in trouble as indi- sin seems to betray the belief in ceaseless progress that rests near the center of affluent cultures.”

Though I can understand the reason the rich might feel like “masters of the universe,” and I’ve studied why the poor don’t go to church as much anymore (they have given up on hope), why is the middle From Our Parish Nurse

4 Signs God Is at Work in the Chaos of COVID-19 By Tamara Chamberlain Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer

We have undoubtedly witnessed history in the mak- fear. Let your peace be a testimony to the truth of ing. Years from now, scholars and historians will Jesus. This is a time when more people are open to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on our society, hear about Jesus and it’s time for believers in Jesus economy, mental health, physical health, and our to start sharing. spirituality. In many ways, the world has been caught by surprise. But God most certainly has not. Even in 2. Community Is Stronger Than Ever the midst of chaos, make no mistake, God is at work. It’s quite astonishing how connected people are His plans will not be thwarted and His people will even when they are unable to see one another not be overcome. in-person. God is at work drawing people together during a time of crisis. Here are 4 signs God is at work in the chaos of COVID-19. Say what you will about technology, but it has been a true benefit for families, friends, and churches to 1. Greater Openness to the Gospel stay connected during a time of social distancing. History has shown that people are more open to Our innate need to stay in community has become religion during times of crisis and instability. We apparent and people are longing to stay connected. can all empathize and relate to lost and confused People are finding ways to be intentional in their hearts looking for answers. It’s become clear for communication through Zoom calls, FaceTime, all of us that regardless of how much we plan, and other creative ways. Even social media is being strategize, and think ahead, we can’t control what used to encourage one another. happens to us and around us. In this time of social distancing we are being re- People are searching for hope in the midst of cha- minded that we were never meant to live in iso- os. And studies show part of that search includes lation. Part of being created in the image of God religion. It might seem like bad timing for people is being designed for community. God even said, to be more open to the gospel, because churches man was not meant to be alone. It’s not the way He are closed or limited. But the opposite couldn’t be designed humanity. more true. Through this pandemic, it has become clear that we Though we don’t understand it, God’s timing is were not meant to live in isolation. We are all being perfect. reminded of something we have always known to be true. God is at work through the chaos of the We live during a time when people are less likely coronavirus as the whole of humanity is stepping to walk into a church because of how foreign and further into community, as we were designed. intimidating it might feel. But that isn’t stopping us from sharing the gospel. 3. Forced Rest The world has slowed down in a way we’ve never As believers in Jesus, we have an opportunity to seen before. The mandate to shelter-in-place has minister and share the truth of Jesus like never forced people to pause and rest. It’s not a pace of before. God is on the move and we can be part life our society is used to living. And it’s not one of the work He is doing. We are all witnessing that comes easy. But it’s a life God has called us to. a pandemic, so we are all standing on common ground. There is an opportunity to share with God even modeled rest for us, “And on the seventh friends and family why you aren’t paralyzed by day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all his work Though this may not be a time when the church that He had done.” (Genesis 2:7) This model is being persecuted, it is a time when believers of rest from work is something we should fol- have collectively faced hardship. The church low and likely not something many of us are has a long history of growing during times of very good at. trials and difficulty.

The call to rest is really a call to trust God. James the brother of Jesus, said it this way, “for you know that the testing of your faith produces Many of us become busy striving, achieving, steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full and succeeding. Right now, we have been effect, that you may be perfect and complete, very limited in what we can do. You might lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3-4) even feel as if you’ve lost control. That’s a very natural response in these unprecedent- Though Christians shouldn’t go looking for ed times. But rest isn’t only good for our difficult situations, we should view them as physical health. It’s good for our spiritual and opportunities to grow our faith. It’s in mo- emotional health, too. ments like these that we begin to wrestle with the promises of God and we undoubtedly find To step into the rest God called us to is to ac- Him to be faithful. The relief might not come tively let go of control and to put it into God’s when you want it and it might look different hands. In this season, you and I have been than what you thought, but God is always true forced to slow down and rest. Rest is a good to His promises. thing and yet, it’s so hard for us to make it a priority. To create space in your life for rest is It’s in times of hardship that we see God’s glo- a way God restores you and revitalizes you. ry on full display. When human efforts fail and God is moving through this time to remind you have done all you can do, God moves in us about the goodness of rest in our lives. ways only He can. It’s out of this place your faith will grow deeper, stronger, and wider.

There is no doubt that we are all living in diffi- cult times that are directly affecting us as indi- viduals. But God has not stopped working. He is not silent or passive. He is on the move. He is working in the hearts and faith of His people.

It may be difficult to see the hand of God during this time. But rest assured that God has been at work during the COVID-19 crisis. He is work- ing all things for his glory and for the good of those who love Him. 4. Your Faith Is Growing As we come out of this pandemic, however long It doesn’t matter who you are, COVID-19 has that may take, let us take advantage of the these affected everyone in one way or another. For 4 positive aspects of what we have all just been followers of Jesus, questions of God’s sover- through. 1. Be aware of those who are now open eignty and provision are natural. It’s in times to the Gospel and don’t be afraid to speak about Je- like these, when your faith is challenged, that sus and your faith. 2. Continue to stay connected to you are more likely to grow in your faith. your community, family and church. 3. Keep rest in your schedule. 4. Continue to grow in your faith. Notes of Note

My notes have been on a little hiatus. But I sure ha- ven’t had to miss you – I’ve so appreciated the cards, calls, and yes, the ability to play from church with you all following! Thanks for letting me know you care and also your pets! The texts and pictures have brought laughter and joy! But I realized I have missed doing the notes and so here goes.

During this year, like maybe it has with you, my jour- ney included some channel surfing and my realiza- tion that a couple of channels in particular had some old favorite shows! One channel is even running an inations across Christendom, including Catholicism, ad called Celebrating the Month of MAYberry – you Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Martin Luther, for ex- know for the month of May. LOL I was discussing this ample, wrote that divine providence began the mo- with Pastor David, and we agreed there was a different ment God created the world, including both among tone to TV shows which seem to be crafted around a physical things and natural laws. “I was driving to moral to the story, more family issues, and perhaps pick up my kids on a Friday night,” Landon told the less drama. We have several mutual favorites from the LA Times in 1988 recalling how he came to create the Andy Griffith Show for example and I learned he uses series, and people were honking at each other. And a description of a segment where Andy must deter- I thought, why is everybody so angry? If they would mine if Opie is telling the truth about the man in the just spend that same time being nice…” tree in his Catechism class. Despite the passage of time, the show holds up well. I must admit I’ve enjoyed bumping into such old Concepts like goodness, charity and forgiveness don’t shows and characters like which is a go out of style that easily. They are universal attributes lot like the upbringing my Grandmother had, In the the show wasn’t afraid to tackle, thanks to Landon’s Heat of the Night which featured diversity issues that insistence and creativity. Melissa Gilbert said of always led to an important message and Little House working with him, “The overall idea that he pound- on the Prairie based on the wonderful Laura Ingalls ed into me was that nothing’s more important than Wilder books telling of establishing prairie life with home and family. No success, no career, no achieve- community and sometimes funny neighbors. A ten- ments, no accomplishments – nothing’s more im- der but very comical one featured Victor French as portant than loving the people you love and contrib- Mr. Edwards mistaking a deacon’s efforts to renovate uting to a community. Landon, a father of nine, knew with two married ladies a home for the very deserv- something about family and family values. What he ing minister. returned the part- produced throughout most of his life did more than nership of French and . In thinking simply entertain millions. Highway to Heaven would about this, I ran across some interesting commentary. go on to inspire the creation of other God-themed shows like Touched by an Angel in the 1990s and God “What if you met a man who told you he was an an- Friended Me, which premiered in 2019 on CBS.” gel? Would you believe him? That was the premise of the groundbreaking NBC show Highway to Heav- So, especially being mostly at home, I’m sharing this en-the 111-episode series featured Landon in the role because of remembering the value and fun of family of Jonathan Smith, who was back on Earth as an angel night TV time - - my Dad opening the sardines, soda on probation to do good work on God’s behalf. Sure, crackers, and slicing the longhorn cheese for snacks. this feel-good series was corny at times, but it did a But most of all being together in a kinder, gentler beautiful job tackling the belief of divine providence. time and as Landon said, being nicer! I’m praying for God’s intervention in the universe, through the use of your safety and wellness and our coming out on the miracles and power of prayer, is a constant of denom- other side… Julie April Birthdays

April 5 April 20 Tom Rasmussen Gavin Carson Erika Vanderveen Joanne Nelson

April 6 April 23 Stephen Reilly Kim Peterson

April 7 April 24 Will Reilly Hannah Xiong

April 9 April 25 Elizabeth Harlow Peter Hollingsworth Tyler Hunt April 15 Bob Tipsword Jonathan Miller April 26 Kyla Tipsword Elizabeth Hartman April 12 Ryan Short Tom Flaa April 16 Brittney Zimmerman Maya Xiong Eli Williams April 27 April 13 April 18 Ryan Ackermann Jeff Hunt Dabney Frothingham April 29 April 14 April 19 John Bengs Maxton Copeland Keegan Carson Olivia Miller April 30 Claire Bruns Maggie Ellis Issac Xiong

Pairsh Council Elders Jodi Behlmer Michael Bruckner Paul Retzlaff Craig Tieman Staff Deann Wimer Pastor David Pastor ...... David L. Hewitt Deacons Minister of Operations ...... Nancy Rumschlag Administrative Assistant ...... Leslie French Jim Bogner Greg Frazier Music Ministers...... David Moscrip & Julie Shadinger Julie Hayden Brandon Hulse Parish Nurse ...... Donna Frazier Bob Inskeep Susan Kraabel Director of Gloryland ...... Diane Hewitt Hans Loyda Carole Rahn. Director of Preschool ...... Michelle Chaille KOG Leadership Team Evangelism, Bob Inskeep Fellowship, Cheryl Hazelrigg Office Hours: Finance, David Baugh Currently only one staff member is in the building at a time. Lifelong Learning, Julie Hayden Ministry Development, Hans Loyda Please call if you need assistance or Mission Support, Carole Rahn would like to come into the church. Preschool, Sherri Hunt Property, Greg Frazier Phone: Risk Management, Marty Culver (317) 846-1555 Stewardship, Brandon Hulse Worship & Music, Jim Bogner