The Lutheran Light “ As the Body of , St. Mary’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is called by the Father through the Holy Spirit to worship God and witness to others.” Vol. 32 No. 01, January 2010

The Pastor’s Prism

“Considering a New Perspective” regard these things and creatures as has created as being precious and Now that we are entering the last merely interfering or blighting our lead us towards better care of one year of the first decade of the 21st effluent life style, like the dandelions another and the world so that we century most of us have settled in our yards and the insects that fulfill our role as caretakers for His ourselves into the new millennium. sometimes come into our houses! creation so that we render Him our praise. This millenium has already brought In caring for God’s earth, we need it’s own changing relationships that to be more tolerant of some parts of “Make a joyful noise to the we have experienced with one the environment that we have learned LORD, all the earth; break forth another and the environment all over to accept as interfering with our life into joyous song and sing the world. More and more of us are style and our aesthetics. praises...Let the sea roar and all drawing from the same finite pool of that fills it; the world and those resources, and we are realizing that Albert Schweitzer had a revelation about the human-environment who live in it.” there are more connections then ever -Psalm 98:1a,7 between everyone and everything. interaction as he was traveling on the Whatever happens impacts everyone river to his hospital at Gabon. He and everything and often in ways that said it suddenly came to him that + “ Pr. Lee” we don’t realize. “reverence for life” became a way of seeing all life that God had put in the This was brought into perspective world. Reverence for life became a for me recently on one of those kind of credo for him as he dealt not mornings as I jogged on the highway just with the African environment but Almighty God, we thank in the darkness as a light rain was with those whom he served there, and You for calling us to be a part falling. The air carried a distinct elsewhere as well. He saw all living of Your creation for this time. smell. It smelled of earthworms that creatures as connected with one We marvel at the way You had perished under the wheels of cars another and that each had a right to have made creation and all the that went over them by drivers who living in this world. Thus, he would connections that exists had no idea what was happening. not wantonly or inadvertently destroy between everything. In this The earthworms had crawled from any life, be it a fly, ant, cockroach, new year, sensitize us to all their holes in soil that had become mosquito, or other creature simply Your creation and saturated with water in order to find because it caused him personal lead us to have a dry place on the highway. Their discomfort. All life was to be honored greater respect and situation reminded me of all the ways because life revealed the creating care for that which our lives and technology impact each Lord. He saw and respected the You have made. other and the world in ways we connections between everyone, every Help us find ways of don’t even realize. Of course, the creature, and everything in the world. living that will have lessen our death of the earthworms is just one It was all a part of God’s world. impact on the creation so that more consequence added to the As a new year begins we have the those who follow us will growing list of human disruptions to continue to give You thanks the environment caused by us opportunity to examine our connections with others, the and praise for Your creation. humans in sometimes unwitting ways Hear us, for we ask these but damaging nonetheless. creatures, and all else that is in the world. Such reflection may lead us things through Christ We tolerate these disruptions into a new appreciation and respect our Lord. AMEN because we don’t see any permanent for each other, the flora and fauna, harm or damage resulting from such and the wholeness of God’s creation. “accidents.” Most of the time we We might learn to see all that God The Lutheran Light - January 2010

Offering Envelopes World Vision - India Gulbarga Area Development Program #170182 2010 Offering Envelopes are available for pick-up in the overflow room of the Dear Sponsor, church. Please note, if you did not pick- up your envelopes the past two (2) years, Wish you a very Happy Christmas! 2010 envelopes were not automatically issued. You can request a box for 2010 Warm greetings from Gulburga Ara Development Programme. It by contacting the church office. gives me immense pleasure to write you once again on behalf of children, families and communities of our target areas. I hope and pray that this letter finds you all well. I am deeply motivated and News Around the Parish impressed to express gratitude for your generous contribution even Copies of “Stories of Faith in Action” are available during the global economic crises. on the rear register of the sanctuary. This magazine gives something of the scope of ELCA’s mission It is too hard to tolerate and adjust with the change scenario of work at home and abroad. many people across the world who lost their jobs, reduced cost of living, and reduced salaries and so on. I appreciate you for your Two Cd’s, “Thy Way Illumine”, by the Schola firm decision and continuos support to address the root cause of Cantorum of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg the poverty during your troubled time. I feel it is my prime duty Seminary Motet Choir, accompanied at times by the to express our hearty thanks and gratitude for your sponsorship Boston Shawm and Sackbut Ensemble available for and assistance to the children and community of [Manatesh borrowing. Works by Frank, Schein, Wesley, Babarao] Gulburga Block. Stanford, Rosenfeld, Schütz, and Folkemer are included along with the texts and translations. The Your generous sponsorship was useful to your sponsored child as CD’s are a gift to us from our Theological Seminary well as many other children and families in the community. at Gettysburg. To borrow one of the CD’s simply fill Standard of living of poor families improved. Your commitment out the card on the back of the CD and give it to is bringing a meaningful change in the lives of children and Pastor Lee. families. Because of your support we were able to ensure protection of children, good health and education. Farmers were The National Lutheran Home News Fall/Winter 2009 assisted by irrigation facilities, converted waste land in to edition is available for pick-up from the rear literature cultivable land, income generating activities to build resilience racks of the church. among poor and marginal farmers. The youths have been trained Special Synod Assembly for January 15 - 16, 2010 to in appropriate skill for opportunities. We are enhancing the elect a New Bishop has been cancelled because of communities’ leadership qualities and empowering Self Help some technical difficulties. Election of a new bishop Groups of poor women and men for sustainable development will occur at the Synod Assembly, June 10 - 12 2010, programmes. at the Eisenhower Center, Gettysburg.

Without your held we could have not done so much. Your faithfulness to God and commitment to the World Vision is a blessing to many families. We pray that God will bless you abundantly to bless others. We are grateful to you for your Sunday School Schedule goodness and concern. We will surely pray for you and your dear January 2010 ones. Thank you once again for partnering with us to crate lasting January 3rd Sunday School / Conf. Class change in life of children and community of Gulburga. January 10th Sunday School / Conf. Class January 17th Sunday School / Conf. Class Wish you a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year 2010. January 24th Sunday School / Conf. Class January 31st Game Day - Treasure Hunt With Warm Regards, Benny K.J.

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Notes & Thank Yous

November 20, 2009

St. Mary’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3978 Littlestown Pike November, 2009 Westminster, MD 21158-1541 St. Mary’s ELC Dear Friends of RCIS: 3978 Littlestown Pike Westminster, MD 21158-1541 Thank you very much for you $825.39 donation to Rape Crisis Intervention To the people of St. Mary’s: Service of Carroll County. On behalf of the men and women of the Your donation will be used to assist us in Community of St. Dysmas, I wish to thank you for servicing our clients who range in age your gift of $35.00. My experiences is that from their teens to their 60's. inmates in prisons across the county are certainly Throughout the year, we provide services marginalized and mostly forgotton. And the to people who never expected to need our inmates we see through the Community of St. help. With continued support from Dysmas are very thankful and grateful for being generous service organizations such as remembered. It reminds them their lives and yours we can continue to provide these healthy choices do matter in the long run. services free of charge. The Community of St. Dysmas not only builds up On behalf of our clients and staff, thank those inside prison fences, but those of us from the you for choosing to help us continue to outside that go in are changed as well. Certainly offer compassion and support to it helps the inmates by building faith and, most of survivors of sexual violence in our all, hope. But we learn as much from those on the community. inside as they might ever learn from us. We are Sincerely, reminded that we all experience the same life Janice A. Kispert issues of pain, loss, hope, blessing, and love. We CEO learn that God is alive in the world in ways we might never have thought. We remember we are Thank you so much! all children of God. And we thank you for helping We had a wonderful time at the this ministry continue building us all up! festival! May God bless you all in your sacred journey. ------May God lead you where you need to travel. Any Our Thanks to all who contributed monetarily and by may the blessings of God surround you as you donations of food to Carroll County Food Sunday! continue making a difference in a hurting world. Two hundred fifty-three (253) pounds of food were collected. God’s Blessings, ------The Reverend G. William (Bill) Lundgren Our Appreciation to Carol Ann Bauman and Anne Mason of Pastor the Carroll County Health Department for conducting blood pressure screening and body composition analysis. They conducted 36 blood pressure screenings of which 5 warranted further testing, and 16 body composition analysis.

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Council Highlights Choir Visitations Council met on December 14, 2009. December Choir Visitations have been 1. Sunday School Superintendent position - Laura Bennett completed and were greatly appreciated and enjoyed by our shut-ins. Since the start of this has volunteered to fill this position. Council expresses program in August 2009, a total of 14 their thanks. visitations have been 2. Council Officers - completed by our Choir. President - Craig Fleischer From the Congregation of Vice President - Dwyn Fleischer St. Mary’s, our warmest Secretary - Gail Wisner thanks and appreciation Treasurer - Art Wisner goes to our caring and 3. Installation of council - January 10, 2009. devoted choir members, 4. Rug in Parish House - Gary will check on estimate to Linda Bupp (program coordinator), replace rug. Haifley (musical leader), Don Stansbury ~Shirley Stansbury, Secretary (prayer leader), Faye Boughter, Bob Heltibridle and Don and Joye Kaufman. Exercise Class Our future 2010 visitation schedule is currently being development and will be A free exercise class now being held Anyone is welcomed to attend but forthcoming. Please come and join us at any in our parish house on Mondays and attendees must bring their own time. It’s a deeply appreciated and heart-felt Wednesday evenings from 7 - 8 equipment (exercise ball, towel or worship experience for our shut-ns … and p.m. in classroom #2. Focus of the mat to door floor exercises on, and singers too! If interested, let any choir class is on core stabilization and light hand weights 2 - 4 lbs.). member know ahead of time so that we can abs, but also includes arm, leg, and arrange for transportation. All ages are cardio work. Contact Cynthia McNemar at [email protected] or 443- welcomed. Thank you. 375-9943 for more information.

Prayer Ventures 1 Name of Jesus - New Year’s Day - Pray that we stay focused on that Light and ask projects that address social and economic that this new year be filled with good things, that our light shine brightly before others. In issues. with the comfort of friends and family, with Jesus name we pray. Amen. strength to help those in need and the 7 Give thanks for ELCA missionaries humility to accept help from others. 4 We ask God to provide wisdom, passion Pastor Dana Nelson and Tom Ososki who and strength to lay developer Tsena Dinssa work in parish ministry in Peru. The 2 We pray for Camino de Vida, as he equips members of the Dallas Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peru is a Albuquerque, N.M., and Mission Developer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dallas, young church of over 1,100 members and is Guillermo Yela as he leads that new Texas, for evangelism and discipleship. committed to working with the most ministry toward the start of worship later vulnerable in society. this spring. Camino de Vida is an 5 Keep Mary Margaret Powers in prayer as ecumenical partnership of the Evangelical she serves at the Helen Keller School for the 8 Please pray that the Holy Spirit might Lutheran Church in America and the Visually Impaired in Beit Hanina, inspire and strengthen Pastor Mikki Gay Presbyterian Church (USA) reaching out to . Mary is part of the ELCA and the people of Breath of Life Lutheran Spanish-speaking immigrants. Young Adults in Global Mission program. Church, Blythewood, S.C.. This new ministry is reaching Latinos, African- 3 2nd Sunday of Christmas - Gracious 6 Epiphany of Our Lord - Today as we Americans, and European-Americans. God, you sent Jesus to be the Light of the remember the star that led the magi to the world. We are thankful for the sacrifice Christ child, also remember ELCA Continued on page 6. made to save us. As we enter into a new missionaries who supply ministry-building year, we pray that you would guide us so skills for companion churches and support

-4- The Lutheran Light - January 2010 From Our Missionaries Be Careful What You Say than one dinner in an evening. By 10 o’clock that evening, Sabina would There is a scene in an old episode of have eaten her words if she hadn’t been the TV series “Grey’s Anatomy” so full. where the surgical interns walk into an empty ER with their supervising This is what happened: When we resident, Dr. Bailey. Christina says arrived in Tanga at about 4:30 p.m., “It’s a quiet day today.” Her we went directly to the hostel where we companions respond with dismay and would be staying for the weekend. tell her she shouldn’t have said Since we were all hungry, Sabina, her church. We arrived at the home around anything. Just then, sirens are heard, husband and JMe decided to order 9:00 p.m. and learned that the woman and within seconds, the ER bay is dinner. We were told that our food and her family were waiting for us to filled with ambulances and severely would be served in about half an hour. arrive before they ate their dinner. injured people. Christina learns that In good African style, our dinners Dinner #3 was served: wali, ugali (a sometimes you just have to be careful weren’t ready until almost six, but we corn meal dish with the consistency of what you say, or you’ll be sorry. enjoyed talking while we waited. mashed potatoes), grilled whole fish, While traveling to Tanga for a Just as we finished dinner, Sabina steamed cabbage, etc. Not wanting to women’s event last Friday, JMe and received a message from our hosts at seem impolite, we ate once again. Pastor Sabina Lumwe, a member of the Kana Lutheran Church that we When we finally returned to the the executive staff of ELCT, were were expected for dinner with the hostel, we were all feeling overly fed. talking about Tanzanian hospitality. parish worker and her husband at 7:30 We laughed as we remembered our JMe had stated that she thought that p.m. Although we weren’t hungry at conversation earlier in the day. Americans could learn a lot from all, we politely accepted the invitation. Perhaps we should have been more Tanzanians about good hospitality. We were treated to a delicious, careful about what we said. Even for Whether a visitor is expected or not, a traditional Tanzanian meal of wali Sabina, three dinners in one evening Tanzanian will offer something to (rice), banana stew with meat, steamed was a first! drink and eat. Sabina responded that cabbage, meat sauce, and fresh fruit. sometimes Tanzania hospitality is bad Of course, we ate—quite a lot! Posted by Pastors JMe and Bob for one’s health. Everyone you visit Lowden at 10:44 PM feels obligated to feed you. If you don’t Since Sabina’s cousin lives in Tanga, watch out, it’s possible to have more she had made arrangements to visit for Monday, November 23, 2009 a few minutes after our dinner at the

Newsletter Information Newsletter Deadline: 3rd Wednesday by 10:00 a.m. Church Office Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 9am-1pm Phone/FAX #: 410 346-7146 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stmaryselc.org ------Electronic Newsletter - By joining St. Mary’s forms are posted next to the flower sign-up chart in the church Flower Committee: Ruth Warfield 443-732-6030 email list, you’ll be notified Narthex, and are also available by contacting the Church Altar Guild Coordinator: Fran Crist 410-848-4391 monthly when the newsletter Secretary. Lector Coordinator: Jim Crist 410-848-4391 has been posted in PDF format Funeral Reception Committee: Viola Haines 717-633- to our website, and a paper Pastor: The Rev. Dr. H. Lee Brumback, II 717-359-8882 7648, Marion Matthias 410-346-7380 copy will no longer be printed Council President: Brenda Meadows 410-346-6994 for your household. To join, Sexton : Mark Ruby 410-346-6840 Council Vice-President: Mary Krebs 717-637-5617 send an email to Secretary: Susan Blizzard 410-848-6384 [email protected] requesting to Council Secretary: Shirley Stansbury 717-637-6534 Organist: Joye Kaufman 717-637-9795 be placed on the electronic newsletter list. Treasurer: Art Wisner 410-346-7955 Thrivent Liaison: Donna Myers Outreach & Welcome: Jim Crist 410-848-4391 Carroll Lutheran School Delegate: Shirley Stansbury You may wish to honor the memory of loved ones, Christian Ed Chairperson: Laura Bennett 410-346-6729 Carroll Lutheran Village Delegates: Jim and Fran Crist birthdays, anniversaries, etc., by sponsoring a Property Committee: Gary Meadows 410-346-6994 Acolyte Coordinator: Alec Shapiro weekly bulletin or monthly “The Lutheran Light” Staff Support & Stewardship Committee: (vacant)) newsletter. Bulletin sponsorships are $15.00. Stamp Coordinator: Helen Wolf Worship & Music Committee: Don Kaufman 717-637-9795 Newsletter sponsorships are $25.00. Sponsorship

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Prayer Ventures - continued from page 4.

9 Osoko, Jesu, Osoko!” – “Thank you, Younan. of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Israel that the

Jesus, thank you!” for Pastor Deborah and nd power of your love may be known. Amen. Troester, Missionaries in the Central 17 2 Sunday after Epiphany - Vigilant African Republic. Deborah teaches Greek God, you care for and watch over all of 25 Conversion of Paul - We remember how and English at the Theological School in creation. Help us to be more aware of human Paul of Tarsus, formerly an enemy and Baboua. Joseph is the technical advisor for a trafficking in the world and in our persecutor of the early Christians, was led by water management project, sponsored in part communities that we might advocate for God's grace to become an advocate, by the ELCA. those whom we are called to serve. Be with spokesperson and servant of the church. Ask those who are experiencing trafficking now God to open the heart’s and minds of all 10 1st Sunday after Epiphany - Baptism of and embolden us to seek justice for all of people. Jesus - Transforming God, we remember creation. Amen. with joy the baptism of Christ Jesus. Call 26 Timothy, Tuitus and , missionaries your children of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, 18 Confession of Peter - Week of Prayer - Remember in prayer Barbara and Pastor Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, for Christian Unity begins - Ask God’s John LeMond as they serve within the Oman, Yemen, Iran and Iraq into your help, through the Holy Spirit, to make us Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong. embrace that they may be immersed in your disciples, attentive to the word of God at all John teaches world religions at Lutheran life-giving Holy Spirit. Amen. times. That when prejudices and suspicions Theological Seminary, Hong Kong, and arise, God will give us the patience necessary coordinates interfaith programs with the Tao 11 Human Trafficking Awareness Day - for reconciliation. Fang Shan Centre. Pray for God’s help to live out the call to love and do justice for others. Ask God to 19 Thank God for Judy Perry as she assists 27 Lydia, and , witnesses to open our minds to learn about human in medical work among mothers and infants the faith - Pray for the ELCA Parish Nurse trafficking and open our hearts to serve our in the People’s Republic of China and Association, as they find ways to strengthen neighbors, especially those who have been engages in health worker training with their organization and extend its reach trafficked. Evergreen Foundation. Pray for all medical throughout the nation, thus making a greater workers and those who care for the ill and impact on the work of the church. Pray that 12 Give thanks for Pastor and suffering throughout Asia. the ELCA may welcome the gifts these Margit Coltvet who have served the professional people bring to our mutual American Church in Berlin for the past 8 20 Praise God for missionaries, Kathy ministry. Pray that we may all learn to years. In November the Coltvets hosted 368 Kamphoefner and Paul Pierce as they serve integrate faith and health in our respective people at a Thanksgiving dinner held at the the refugee ministry at St. Andrew’s Church places of work. church building. in Cairo, Egypt. Pray for the refugee families as they learn a new culture and build new 28 Pray for the well-being of missionary 13 Keep in your prayers today ELCA lives in Cairo. family members. When missionaries leave missionary Robin Strickler who serves in their homes to serve God in other countries, Rwanda, working in education development. 21 Offer thanks for God’s People Serving extended family remains behind. Pray for the Started by Rwandan refugees, returning from (GPS) Faith Community in Machesney Park, health, safety and encouragement of these the genocide of 1994, the Lutheran Church Ill. GPS, led by Pastor Rob James, continues family members. of Rwanda (LRC) has 17,000 members. As a to grow as it reaches out to its neighbors, new church body, the LCR focuses on builds relationships, and seeks to be “the 29 We lift up to God Pastor Mark Huber, training leaders and is building a secondary hands and feet of Jesus Christ” in their new mission developer of Transformation school and a women’s center. community. Place in Marshfield, Mass., and ask God’s blessing on this ministry that seeks to offer a 14 We celebrate the ministry of small ELCA 22 Ask God to continue to walk with variety of opportunities for spiritual growth congregations, like Christ Lutheran Church, today’s churches in Cyprus, and and faith-centered service to the local Wise, Va., which sees itself as a “small, Turkey, remembering that the Lord, through community. vibrant core of Lutherans” focused on a vision to John of , was revealed outreach and ministry. among the . 30 Praise God for Erin Odgers and ask God to bless her time and ministry as an English 15 King Jr. - Give thanks 23 Give thanks for the continued ministry of language teacher for the St. Andrew’s for Dr. Mark and Linda Nygard as they serve Drs. Helmut and Rotraut Diefenthal, who Refugee Services in Cairo, Egypt. spend 10 months a year at Kilimanjaro within the Evangelical Synod of the Nile. th Mark is the coordinator of graduate studies at Christian Medical Center in Moshi, 31 4 Sunday after Epiphany - Almighty the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Tanzania, and for the companion God, grant your wisdom and love upon the Cairo. relationships that exist between ELCA people of Algeria, Libya, Morocco and synods and dioceses of the Evangelical Tunisia, that they may live in peace and 16 Praise God for the ministry of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania. harmony. Amen.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and rd the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and its witness in 24 3 Sunday after Epiphany - Merciful a turbulent region. Pray for Allison Schmitt, God, we remember with hope the gift of communications assistant for Bishop Munib peace. Grant your peace upon the countries

-6- January 2010 **Holy Communion is celebrated each Sunday**

Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 4 56 7 1 2 Mark Ruby, Sonja Spencer John Haladej Gail Wisner Office Closed Vicki Harner 2nd Sunday of Christmas - White New Year’s Day Terry Haifley Jeremiah 31: 7 - 14 Name of Jesus Memorial Service Ephesians 1: 3 - 14 Worship & ______11 a.m. Psalm: 147: 12 - 20 Music 8 ______John 1: 1 - 18 Committee - 9 Basket Offering - 7 p.m. Linda Bupp Carroll County Prison Ministry Epiphany of Our Lord

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Janet Heltibridle Crystal Ruby Baptism of Our Lord - White Isaiah 43: 1 - 7 Church Council Joy Utz Psalm: 29 Meeting - 7 p.m. Keri Ernst Acts 8: 14 - 17 Luke 3: 15 - 17, 21 - 22

17 Suzy Spriggs 18 19 20 21 22 23 Melvin Leese Roma Harner Donald Lawyer 2nd Sunday after Epiphany - Green Laura Bennett Zachary Scott Isaiah 62: 1 - 5 Psalm: 36: 5 - 10 1 Corinthians 12: 1 - 11 Confession of Peter Newsletter Deadline Martin Luther King Jr. John 2: 1 - 11 Day - 10 a.m.

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Donald Stansbury 3rd Sunday after Epiphany - Green Nehemiah 8: 1 - 3, 5 - 6, 8 - 10 Psalm: 19 1 Corinthians 12: 12 - 31a Luke 4: 14 - 21 Conversion of Paul

31 Anniversaries: Worship Helpers 4th Sunday after Epiphany - Green Donald & Shirley Stansbury - January 10, 1960 Acolyte - Jeremiah 1: 4 - 10 Ronald & Susan Blizzard - January 24, 1998 Head Usher - Psalm 71: 1 - 6 Robert & Dorothy Bowman - January 29, 1956 Altar Guild - Communion Assistant - 1 Corinthians 13: 1 - 13 Luke 4: 21 - 30 Social Hour - Council Members

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