Sierra Lutheran Church Newsletter

January 2012
SOMETHING NEW IN THE WORKS
God is always up to something new. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV) This New Year, 2012 brings new beginnings for Sierra Lutheran Church as I announced my retirement date of January 8. Im looking forward to spending more time with Debby and my family. They have been patient and supportive throughout my 30 years of ordained ministry. They have stood by my side during the ups and downs of ministry. I thank God that He has allowed me to be a vessel for proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, to see transformed lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, and to make friends for eternity in the churches I have served. I have made many friends at Sierra Lutheran and will treasure our friendship as I go into retirement. Im grateful for your forgiveness, understanding, and most of all your prayer support during these three years together. A lot has happened in this short time, for which we give God the glory. Ive been stretched, challenged and tested during our time together. These have not been easy years and I wish I had an answer to the decline in attendance and subsequent decline in giving. Ive been in fervent prayer regarding my pastoral role in leading Sierra Lutheran, and I believe I have been a faithful servant of the Lord. But there are times when youve done your best with Gods guidance and still there is a time to step aside and allow a new shepherd to lead the flock to greener pastures. This is the time for a new beginning, and I believe God will provide something new and fresh that will revitalize this church. I also know that God isnt finished with me yet. Im looking into a part-time position as a VA chaplain at the VA hospital in Fresno. There may be interim possibilities or mission trip opportunities God knows what He has in mind for me and my family. I hope to be revitalized in my faith as a result of this change in my life. I know Debby will appreciate having me more accessible and enjoying life together as husband and wife.
Continued on Pg. 2

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Ive always felt that you can be a Lutheran Christian and be spirit-filled at the same time. The Lutheran brand of Christianity began as a result of a renewed discovery of the WORD OF GOD its life-giving power, and the emphasis on GRACE the freedom to be what God has intended us to be. Its a joy-filled life embracing the gifts of the Spirit and building up the Body of Christ in unity that gives itself away in mission to a hurting world thats the healthy church I pray will come forth during the days and years ahead. Know that our love and prayers go with you in this new season at Sierra Lutheran Church. God is up to something, and that something is very good, something new! The final book in the Bible, Revelation 21:5-6 says, . . . Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (KJV) God is not finished with us yet. May God bring a fresh wind and a fresh fire to this special church called Sierra Lutheran Church! Lets stay in touch were not far away. Our address in Kingsburg is 1700 Hemma Street. We would love a visit. God bless all you good friends. Thanks again for your faithfulness during this season of Gods calling. Pastor John

UPCOMING SUNDAY SCHEDULE

January 1 Michael Kingsley to preach. We have been supporting Michael for three years. He is a Ugandan missionary to the U.S. and has preached here a number of times. His special emphasis is uniting our country in prayer and bringing renewal to our churches. This will be a SINGLE SERVICE SUNDAY at 9:00 a.m. January 8 Pastor Johns retirement Sunday. This will be also a SINGLE SERVICE SUNDAY at 9:00 a.m. Holy Communion will be served. A potluck will follow. January 15 - Former interim pastor of Sierra Lutheran, Pastor Carl Bengtson will be our pulpit guest. We will be back to two services: 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

PASTOR ON SHORT VACATION

Pastor John and family will be on a mini-vacation after Christmas in Phoenix from December 26 January 3. They will be staying with Debbys sister, Jan Fosen and be visiting their daughter, Kjersten, son-in-law Ryan, and two grandsons, Caeden and Bennett. Debbys birthday is December 31, so it is a good time to be with family. The Journey Begins Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Happy New Year!

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PRESIDENTS REPORT A THOUSANDS POINTS OF LIGHT

I have been very impressed with the generosity of people this past holiday season. The evening TV news shows and our local newspapers have extolled the donations by so many people who have paid off lay-away Christmas purchases for strangers and provided thousands of dollars to people for medications and food. Our Sierra Lutheran congregation has been equally blessed with similar gifts. Our Samaritan fund has been receiving generous donations from our congregants. As you may know, the Lutheran insurance company Thrivent is matching our individual gifts, dollar for dollar, through the end of January. We are doing Christs work by following his instructions by caring for the needy. As many of you know, one of our own is in need of similar assistance. Mike Jolley is facing surgery in the very near future. Mike and his family have been Sierra Lutherans strongest supporters over many years. If there was a task too great for we mere mortals to do, Mike and Cathy would step up and accomplish the job in spades. Within this past year, Mike raised enough money on his own to travel to Indonesia on a mission trip to help build a classroom for a Christian school. And most recently, Mike initiated and successfully managed the First Annual Chili Cook-off. Through this Christmas season Mike has been working through severe pain to help those he considers less fortunate than he. Mike would not approve of me reaching out to all of you to help him through this difficult time. But our Brother needs our help. Many of us have already reached out and provided for his family through the Samaritan Fund. But Mike needs more. He has recently found a surgery center near Washington DC to do his operation at a very reasonable cost. But he and Cathy need to fly to Washington and back, and stay in the DC area for several nights. Fran (my super wife) has contacted our bank regarding donating travel miles for part of their trip that we have accumulated through a credit card. I know that there are other members of our congregation who will happily donate some of their miles toward this trip. Fran has also located a very reasonable flight from Fresno to Washington DC for less than $300 round trip. I am not certain how to combine travel miles from several individuals, but I know there must be a way. Please contact me, by e-mail, at fgarwick@aol.com if you would like to participate in this much needed program. With Gods help we will find the way to do this! And now, a short message to Mike and Cathy. Please do not feel embarrassed by my letter to our congregation. We love you so much, that we truly want to reach out and help you. We also know that without this operation you, Mike, may get very seriously ill. We need you to regain your physical health so you can continue to carry out the Lords work, which you so graciously accept. God blesses you both. Jerry Garwick

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A message from the Transition Team (formerly the Nominating Committee) As you might suspect, things might be a little different in 2012. Since the adoption of our new constitution last month, our council no longer exists as we have known it for so long. We will be changing over from an eight person Congregational Council to an Administrative Board and an Elder Board - one meeting the business needs of the congregation and the other the spiritual. For this first election process with the new constitution, our Nominating Committee, now referred to as the Transition Team, will be spending much time in prayer, both individually as well as corporately to hear Gods direction for the future leadership of this body. Per the old constitution, the normal election would have taken place at the November annual meeting. Since we did not have the new approved constitution to work with yet, council opted to postpone the election to be able to begin our new year working within the new constitutions leadership guidelines. Our Transition Team has made every effort to allow Gods direction as we move forward. We have prayed with expectation that God will be speaking confirmations to us as a group as we move through this process. He has already spoken scripture to each of us, and although we have not each received the same verses, they can be woven together to help us to understand Gods nature and the nature of those He is preparing to serve in the needed leadership roles. The verses we have received so far are Matthew 13:23; Galatians 5:16-26: Ephesians 5:25-33; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; and Psalm 139:23-24 Please take the time to look them up and pray for Gods discernment among us as a team as well as those in the congregation that He is calling to fulfill his purposes. We have chosen 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 as our key verses, Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. Our hope is that you will spend time in the Word and listen for Gods direction for you. Is He calling you to step out of your comfort zone? Know that if He does, He is faithful to bless you as you obey! Those on the Transition Team are: Sallie Karp, Bev McCann, Robert DuPree, Christine OKelley and Lori Pape. Feel free to pray for this team; talk to any of us regarding questions you may have about the process; or let us know if God is calling you to serve. The positions we will be seeking to fill are: Election of the Administrative Board President, Secretary, and Treasurer; and appointment of Vice President, Trustee and Church Administrator. Elder Board appointment of 4 5 Elders.

In Gods Service, Transition Team

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

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Health Matters: Concussions In the past several months, the word concussion has been used to describe head injuries to football players, soccer players, motor vehicle accidents, bicycle injuries, etc. I thought you might want to know more about this term. By the way, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury. WebMD explains this most clearly. The word concussion is from the Latin and means to shake violently. This happens when the soft tissue of the brain sloshes around in your skull. This can damage the brain by injuring nerves, blood vessels and the brain tissue. This can cause loss of consciousness, visual problems, dizziness, headaches and confusion. You can simulate by making a batch of pudding, cooling it down in a covered dish, and then shaking the bowl a bit. The pudding breaks up! Children grow quickly and many havent learned good balance or developed good coordination. They try balancing on beams, jumping from playground equipment, stunts on bikes and other things. They dont know how to tell adults how they feel if they are injured. One would think that adults have learned certain skills but they, too, get injured playing sports or other activities. Many try to shake it off and continuing playing which may cause further injury to their bodies and the brain. Some common symptoms after a concussion are (again WebMD): confusion or feeling dazed, clumsiness, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, headache, balance problems or dizziness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise, sluggishness, ringing in ears, behavior or personality changes, concentration difficulties, memory loss. Concussions are graded as mild (grade 1) and symptoms last less than 15 minutes with no loss of consciousness; moderate (grade 2) symptoms last longer than 15 minutes and no loss of consciousness; severe (grade 3) loss of consciousness even for only a few seconds. If you, your child or someone you coach has a concussion you must seek medical attention. A grade 3 concussion must be seen by a medical professional. There are concussion apps available through iTunes for iPhones or iPads available for on-site evaluation for parents & coaches. You can look up concussion and see the ones available. I use CRR (Concussion Recognition and Response) and have also used SCAT2 (Sports Concussion Assessment Tool) but there are several more. What can you do to prevent a concussion? Of course protect yourself or the child by using the correct protective equipment. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce concussions by 85%. All occupants in vehicles should wear seatbelts. Caution your athletes to avoid plays or games that involve hitting things with their heads and, above all, report to you or coaches any of the warning signs listed above. Please call if you have any questions. My new cell is 765-7364; home is still 323-6603. Fran Garwick, Nurse Practitioner

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Blessed New Year's Greetings from the Outreach Team! I am so filled with gratitude reflecting back upon all the generosity our church family poured out to this community during the Christmas season. This outpouring of love actually happens each and every day, but seeing all the extra "love" during this past month touched me very deeply. Our church family is truly amazing. We really need to take time to pat each other on the back. I originally had planned to list people who specifically "went the extra mile" this past month, but when thinking of all that happened and all who helped, I would be listing our entire congregation!!! I am "in awe" of each and every one of you, so a GIANT pat on the back to ALL of you! The Wish i Ah tree was another HUGE success. We acted as Santa to 30 patients! I had the privilege of gathering up all the gifts and with the help of our exchange student, Emma, from Sweden, took them over to Wish i Ah. Seeing the looks on the staff as we brought in the arm loads of gifts was a special "gift" in itself. One of the management people from southern California was visiting at Wish i Ah and he could not believe that our church so lovingly did this for such a large number of their clientele. He gave me a big hug and told me to relay his heartfelt appreciation to the whole congregation. Our Christmas caroling was another great success this year. The number of people singing increased over last year so that made it even more fun. I want to give out a BIG thank you to Allan Gallegos and his daughter, Jessica, who were our leaders. Alan provided the sheet music for all of us and led us by playing his guitar. Seeing the smiles on many of the patients' faces and hearing them join in, helped those of us who went realize even more the true meaning of Christmas. I am hoping to make Wish i Ah one of our 2012 Outreach projects, so look for more information. They really need help year round and we have the talents to help meet more of their needs. Let us be like Christ and visit the lonely and the often forgotten people who are right in our "back yard." We did not stop caroling when we left Wish i Ah; those who could still stay, carpooled over to the Jumps' house and indoor caroled there too. What fun to sing to and with Paul and Arlene. Arlene is making progress each day and I know both Paul and Arlene are always eager to have visitors or phone calls. Give them a call, and as always, I encourage every one of you to call or reach out to as many others as possible. January is a long and cold month; the warmth of a visit can really brighten a loved one's day. Another HUGE thank you goes out to all of you who have donated to the hat and glove ministry. These will be given away at the 4th Wednesday food bank distribution day this month. In other words, if you are reading this, there is still time to add to this ministry. The box is in the narthex and it is still accepting donations!! The cold has really hit the hills again, so it will be wonderful to add this to our regular food bank day in January. Be on the lookout for further ways you can be involved with helping others. In this transition time for our church we all will be called upon to what we can to help make this time of change a positive one for our church family. As we do for others, we in turn do for ourselves! Let us continue to be the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in our church and in our community. Blessings to all and a very happy and healthy new year!! - Lynda Qualls

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Notes from the Praise Team!!!! Gods Timing.it never ceases to amaze me how God puts people in certain places, at certain times, in order to orchestrate his perfect plan. Sometimes we fail to see the overall picture, as Gods plan isnt always what we really want to see, at particular times in our lives. In our Church Family, I see the Praise Team as playing a role similar to that of cheerleaders for a football team. When that team is down 21-3, late in the third quarter, the cheerleaders are still going strong. (sorry Den, John, Mike and Joe; I dont guess you really want to be depicted as sporting a tight sweater saying go team). But really - when our church is up; our job is to be up, and bring the congregation into a place of worship. And when our church is down; our job is to be up, and bring the congregation into a place of worship (dj vu anyone?). Recently, our Praise Team got together for a potluck. Things had been a little tense for some of us, and quite frankly, a few of us were tired and burned out. We just needed to hang out, eat good food, and love on each other. We came away from that night revitalized; we tossed around some new ideas and regained our spirit. We remembered once again why it is we do what we do, and why we love it so much. And the following day, we learned our Pastor was retiring. Is this Gods Timing?? Here we are, all pumped up and ready to go; and now we have a church with conflicted emotions, some happy, some sad, some disappointed, and some flat out mad. I say yes, this is God at work. He brought Pastor John to us, and now he has another pastor in mind for us. We no doubt have some trying times ahead of us. Weve been down this road before, and some are hesitant about heading there again; here we go again how long will we be without a pastor this time who will choose him what will he be like he needs to be traditional he needs to be contemporary. Do you think were facing conflict??? The Praise Team had a great time teaming up with the Choir and many others, to bring a little different Christmas Eve Service to SLC. Im not sure if we received more from the blessing of the service, or the blessing of working together to create the service. I do know that God put us in a place that we could work together towards one common goal, and it couldnt have gone more smoothly. What timing. Once again, we are invigorated. So if you see the Praise Team high in spirits over the next few weeks, please know it isnt because our Pastor is leaving; please know it is because we do what we do, and we love doing it. Each one of us has been called to lead SLC into a place of worship; in good times, in bad times, in times of conflict, and always out of love for Jesus Christ and our brothers and sisters here in our SLC Church Family. We love you all. May each one of you have a blessed year; and may you seek the face of Christ is all that you do; seeing his loving face; and feeling the guidance of his gentle hand. Psalm 122 I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, Peace be within you.

Satan subtracts and divides. God multiplies and multiplies.

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Kitchen Corner

Happy New Year everyone! As we enter into a new year we also enter into a new season, (well maybe not so new to some of us) one without a pastor. We have to say good-bye to Pastor John. There will be a pot luck after the One service Sunday January 8. Dessert will be provided. Just a reminder we no longer have a janitor on staff. So Please remember to clean up after yourselves. I pray we stay united. Trusting in God with all our hearts, that His will should be ours and that His will SHALL be done.

Hope and Joy

Join the ladies of Hope and Joy for a potluck lunch and bible study, Saturday January 14th at noon..... at the home of Joyce Velasquez (NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION) Please call and let Joyce know if you will attend...855-3149. Bible study will be Sarah and Hagar...Genesis 16; 18: 115. Outreach for January is a baby shower for Pregnancy Care. Bring unwrapped gifts please..

Gods Blessings, Mike Jolley

Happy New Year from the Garden Team

The Garden Team would like to wish each and every one a most Joyous New Year. May your grass be green, your flowers be bright and may you experience all of the blessings that God bestows on you. Blessings to you all, John and Team

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Journey To Jesus
In 2012 we will be adding worship music to your childrens ministry activities. God has placed it on the hearts of Mary Ann Price and Deanie Flanagan to share some of their favorite songs. What a blessing this will be! What we have planned is in the beginning of our Sunday school hours will we all (K 6th Grade) meet in Room 2 together after our music time the older 3rd 6th will go with their Sunday school teachers to start their Sunday school lesson. Planting seeds of Faith in our Children with Gods Word and Song! 2012 we will also have to say good bye to Pastor John and his family. I want to thank Pastor John for his support with the childrens ministry here at SLC. I pray that with the New Year you have Joy and may your retirement bring lots of Gods Blessings to you and your family! In Gods Grace, Cathy

SLC Church Choir

Thank you to all the Choir members who participated in the Christmas Eve Service. We had a great response to the Praise Teams request for additional voices. It was a blessing to all of us to sing Christmas music in close harmony. The Church Choir will restart in February 2012. Since we dont have an accompanist for the spring season, we will sing to recorded music and/or a capella. Please call me and let me know what days of the week will work for you. My new cell phone is 765-7364, home is 3236603. Im looking forward to singing again, are you? Fran Garwick, SLC Choir Director

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Worship Coordinator / Worship Assistants

Thank you for signing up for a new season of Worship Assistants and if you have not, you can always let me know or fill out the forms kept in Narthex.

During January I will be contacting or making announcements for all of you, to explain or refresh people on the duties, and start in February for our new additions.

For the January schedule, at time of newsletter printing I had not been able to confirm our Communion Schedule for 2nd half of month, so I will contact people for any changes. Thank you, Shelley Telles

Did You Know.

What is a Lutheran? While there are a variety of ways one could answer this question, one very important answer is simply this, A Lutheran is a person who believes, teaches and confesses the truths of Gods Word as they are summarized and confessed in the Book of Concord. The Book of Concord contains the Lutheran confessions of faith.

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January 2012 Worship Assistants Jan. 1

One Service 9:00am

Jan. 8
One Service 9:00am

Jan. 15

Jan. 22

Jan. 29
One Service 9:00am

Altar Guild Greeters 8:30am 11:00am Ushers 8:30am

Shelley Pam & Joyce R. no service John & Joyce & Fern -Alan --

Shelley/Susan Rod & Marcia no service Becki & David & Jerry -Lynda Q --

Shelley Alan & Sue Stan Chris & Bob & Mike Stan Nordine David B.

Shelley/Susan Gloria & Chris T. George Dave & Joni & Joyce R T. George Chris David J.

Shelley Jerry & Fran no service Dave & Bev & -Shelley --

11:00 am Readers Gods Word Computer 8:30am 11:00 am 8:30am 8:30am 11:00am 8:30am 11:00 am Prayer Stations 8:30am

Sam

Sam

Sam Shelley

Sam Shelley Mike & Joyce R & Fern Fran Yes

Sam

Communion Assistants

John & Lori & Debby --Yes

If you are unable to serve when scheduled please ask one of the other assistants to trade dates or provide a substitution for you, and notify Worship Coordinator Shelley Telles (855-5703) of the change.

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Sun

Mon

Tue

~ January 2012 ~ Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1
9:00 am - One Service Sunday Michael Kingsley Sunday School After Childrens message 10:00 am Life Group Velasquez-Library

2
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

3
12:30 pm Womens Group Library 5:16 pm Co.D.A. Library 7:00 pm Life Group Bookwalter Home

4
12:00 noon Mens Prayer Meeting Big Ds 7:00 pm Life Group Pape Home 7-8:00 pm Beginning Guitar T. George

5
6:30 pm Praise Team Sanctuary 7:00 pm Kitchen Meeting 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2 7:00 pm Everhart Home

Birthday - Valerie Johnson

Birthday Phyllis Lehr

Birthday Darrel Telles

8
9:00 am One Service Sunday Pastor Johns retirement Sunday Sunday School After Childrens message Pot luck following service.

9
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

10
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

11
12:00 noon Mens Prayer Meeting Big Ds 7:00 pm Life Group Pape Home

12
6:30 pm Praise Team
Sanctuary 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2 7:00 pm Life Group Everhart Home

13

14
9:00 am Joseph Store House 9:00 am Clothes Closet 12:00 noon Hope & Joy Call Doreen Pickering for Location of Meeting

Birthday Joni Bunnell

15
8:30 am Celebration Service Pastor Carl Bengtson 10:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Life Group Velasquez-Library 11:00 am Heritage Service

16
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

17
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

18
12:00 noon Mens Prayer Meeting Big Ds 7:00 pm Life Group Pape Home 7-8:00 pm Beginning Guitar T. George

19
6:30 pm Praise Team
Sanctuary 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2 7:00 pm Life Group Everhart Home

20

21
Birthday Bob Actis

Birthday Kirk Flores

Birthday Terah Flores

Birthday Debi Gallegos

Anniversary Mike & Cathy Jolley

22
8:30 am Celebration Service 10:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Life Group Velasquez-Library 11:00 am Heritage Service

23
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

24
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

25
9:00 am Food Bank 9:00 am Clothes Closet 12:00 noon Mens Prayer Meeting Big Ds 7:00 pm Life Group Pape Home

26
6:30 pm Praise Team
Sanctuary 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2 7:00 pm Life Group Everhart Home

27

28
Birthday Sue Neri

Birthday Rusty Coburn Curtis Lane

29
9:00 am One Service Sunday Sunday School After Childrens message 10:00 am Life Group Velasquez-Library

30
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

31
3:15 7:30 pm Free Falling (Middle & Senior High Ministry) 7:00 pm AA Meeting Room 2

Notes:
Sunday College Group (every other Sunday 5:30 pm

Birthday Nancy Flores

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