Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Newsletter November 2009

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Newsletter November 2009
Inside this Issue
LCR Nov Schedule Page 1
Special Congregational Mtg Page 2
LCR Declaration Page 2
Oct Baptisms Page 3
Daily Bread Ministry Page 3
Prayer List Cleanup Page 3
2010 Council Elections Page 4
Ladies Night Out Page 5
Help Wanted Page 5
Birthdays and Events Page 5
Worship Assistant Schedule Page 6
Saturday, November 7 – Workday
November 15 – Special Congregational
Meeting after the Service
Please see Kurt Weinelt’s article and the copy of
the proposed resolution on page 2.
November 22 – Christ the King Sunday
We end the church year by looking forward to the
end of all things. So we’ll read from the prophecy of
Daniel and from the Book of Revelation. The Lord is
the alpha and the omega, beginning and end, the
one who is, and was, and is to come. Christ was
crowned King on the cross, and God exalted Him by
raising him on Easter. So the service is a celebration
of Christ’s victory over evil and death – a little Easter.
We have inside work and outside work – big jobs
and little jobs – something for everyone. So please
join us the morning of the first Saturday in Nov.
November 8 – Veterans Day Brunch
We will honor the veterans of LCR, those who have
and are serving in the armed forces, with a brunch
following the morning service in the “Mess Hall”.
Several years ago after adding this event to our calendar,
Carol Reaves asked several veterans, not
only here at LCR but those in our community, what
their favorite food was when they were in the military.
Without exception every one replied "BREAKFAST!!"
With your donation of food and money, we will prepare
scrambled eggs, biscuits, sausage, gravy, danishes,
breakfast meats, OJ, and of course, the proverbial
cream gravy on toast for all to enjoy.
We have an outdated list of veterans of our congregation
and we want to update the list with the names
of those veterans that have joined in the last few
years. If you know of someone please provide their
name to Carol Reaves.
November 8 - Adult Forum
We’ll have an adult forum during the Sunday
school hour with Pastor Jeff and the Church Council
to discuss the changes that were adopted at the
ELCA church-wide assembly last summer.
LCR Newsletter Nov 2009 Page 1
Advent Season Begins!!
Wednesday, November 25, at 7:15 pm
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Come Ye thankful People, Come in prayer and song,
to thank the Lord for all the blessings we receive –
both as individuals and also as a nation. Everyone
should pause to reflect in the goodness of God. After
the service we’ll gather in fellowship hall for pie.
November 29 – Advent Begins
Getting Ready for Christmas
“Advent” is the church’s term for the season before
Christmas. The word means “appearing”. Christ the
Son of God first appeared as Mary’s baby in Bethlehem.
While we look forward to that during the season
before Christmas, “Advent” also refers to
Christ’s appearance at the end of time as king and
judge. “Adventist churches”, like the Seventh Day
Adventists teach that Christ’s return will be soon.
In the lessons on the Sundays in Advent we’ll begin
by reading about Christ’s second Advent, and
listen to what Jesus said on the subject. But by the
end of the season we’ll be studying his first Advent.
On November 29, the first Sunday in Advent we’ll
also begin a new cycle of readings. We’ll close the
gospel of Mark, which we read from for the last
twelve months, and begin the gospel of Luke.
Rehearsals begin for the Children’s Christmas
program at 9:30 AM on Sunday Nov 8.

Special Congregational Meeting after church Sunday Nov. 15 on the “Declaration
Regarding Rostered Ministry” at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
In the October 2009 newsletter, Pastor Jeff’s article stated:
Bishop Tiemann’s practical suggestion for those who do not wish to accept these [Church wide Assembly]
changes is that they ‘go on record’ by adopting congregational resolutions upholding the current standards.
He then distributed copies of the resolutions for use by congregations. They will be set out in the next newsletter
for your review. Your Church Council, at its September 17 meeting, unanimously approved this
declaration and is forwarding it to the congregation for consideration at a Nov. 15 special meeting.
On Nov. 8 during the Sunday School hour (9:30-10:30), Pastor Jeff and the Church Council will host a discussion
forum for all members who want to learn more about the proposed Declaration and its implications
before the meeting the following week.
It is important to note that the following draft declaration will require compromise in order to continue LCR’s ministry
in Leon Valley. Respecting each other’s differences is as critical to our ministry as it was to the original twelve disciples;
they certainly were no more immune to differences of opinion than we are today. It takes a spirit of compromise
and tolerance for a faith community to fulfill its ministry. With this in mind, the bishop’s declaration is a compromise
document to help us deal with a difficult issue.
First, it requires that LCR to state that it remains in the ELCA. Several Southwestern Texas Synod congregations
have withdrawn from the ELCA, so this first statement declares our intention to remain in the ELCA, at least for now.
The remaining three statements all deal with pastoral ministry. First, we acknowledge that LCR chooses it own pastors,
and neither a bishop nor the national church can impose its choice upon us. Then we state that in the future
LCR will not call a pastor who is in (or open to be in) a same-sex relationship, thus preserving the ministry standard
of “fidelity within marriage and celibacy outside marriage”. Finally, we acknowledge that we will continue to forbid
same-sex weddings or blessing of same-sex unions in our congregation and its facilities.
It is important to note that this declaration merely is our chance to go on record with the bishop, and state our intentions
that we are not changing; we are merely affirming the status quo. After the declaration is adopted, we
should not need to address the matter again, and we can direct our focus to the ministry of this congregation in this
community.
The declaration, that the council unanimously approved and is forwarding for your approval at the special one
agenda item congregational meeting, is as follows. If you would like to discuss the declaration with Pastor Jeff and
the church council, please meet with us in the parish hall on Sunday, 11/8/09, at 9:30-10:30.
Kurt Weinelt
LCR Congregation Council President
Declaration Regarding Rostered Ministry at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, understands
that it has the right to call, or refuse to call, as a pastor or rostered lay leader any person who is on the roster
of ordained ministers or lay rosters or any candidate approved for those rosters.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, in accordance with the 2009 Churchwide Assembly which resolved that the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "make provision in its policies to recognize the conviction of members who
believe that this church should not call or roster people in a publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, samegender
relationship," declares that this congregation will not call a pastor or lay rostered leader who is or intends to
be in such a same-gender relationship.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection declares that marriages, civil unions, or blessings of persons in same gender
relationships will not be performed in this church building nor be authorized by this congregation.
LCR Newsletter Nov 2009 Page 2
Advent Season Begins!!

LCR 2010 Council Elections
It is November, so that means Council elections are
upon us again. The following positions are up for
election, with the incumbent listed afterwards. All the
current incumbents are eligible for a second twoyear
term; except where noted, all have agreed to
serve another two-year term. The positions being
vacated are marked “vacant”. If you are interested
in serving in any of these council positions, please
contact Pat Jenkins, the chair of our council nominating
committee.
2010 Election
*Vice Pres.: Bennie Wehmeyer
*Evangelism: Margie Christopher
*Fellowship: Margie Perales (vacant)
*Property: Roy Ronnfelt (vacant)
*Worship and Music: Lorena Guerrero
*Youth: Jerry McCarty
I thank every council member who has served during
the past year; it certainly has been an eventful
year in the life of our congregation! This council has
worked together exceptionally well, and has addressed
differences of opinion in a spirit of cooperation
and Christian love. Without the sacrifice of
those who serve on council and committees, we
would not be able to fulfill our ministry in the church,
community, and the world.
Please prayerfully consider serving, especially in the
two positions being vacated.
Yours in Christ,
Kurt Weinelt
LCR Congregation Council President
A Story for Veterans Day
the first period kids entered the room they discovered
that there were no desks. 'Ms. Cothren,
where're our desks'
She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell
me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.' They
thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'
'No,' she said.
'Maybe it's our behavior.'
She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'
And so, they came and went, the first period, second
period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.
By early afternoon television news crews had
started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report
about this crazy teacher who had taken all the
desks out of her room.
The final period of the day came and as the puzzled
students found seats on the floor of the deskless
classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout
the day no one has been able to tell me just what
he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks
that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am
going to tell you.'
At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door
of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27)
U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom,
each one carrying a school desk. The Vets
began placing the school desks in rows, and then
they would walk over and stand alongside the wall.
By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in
place those kids started to understand, perhaps for
the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at
those desks had been earned.
Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at
these desks. These heroes did it for you. They
placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to
sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be
good students, to be good citizens. They paid the
price so that you could have the freedom to get an
education. Don't ever forget it.'
By the way, this is a true story.
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of
school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school
teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock , did
something not to be forgotten. On the first day of
school, with the permission of the school superintendent,
the principal and the building supervisor, she
removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay
down his life for his friends. John 15:13
LCR Newsletter Nov 2009 Page 3
Advent Season Begins!!

Two Baptisms on October 25
On Reformation Sunday we celebrated the Baptisms
of Abigail Ruth Tanner and Nathan John
Krauland.
Nathan John was born on March 25, 2009 and is
the son of Kevin and Lindsay Krauland. His
sponsors are Amanda Kieta and Keith Krauland.
Abigail Ruth was born on August 24, 2009 and is
the daughter of Adam and Tracey Tanner, and
sister of Jake. Her sponsors are Kylene Stelma
and Sam Luinstra.
“Daily Bread” Thanksgiving Food Baskets
Every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving
we distribute a basket of food with all that’s necessary
for a thanksgiving dinner to fifty or sixty needy
families. There are fresh vegetables and bread,
canned and packaged food items (which we purchase),
and even an HEB gift certificate to purchase
meat. The recipients, who sign up in advance,
are folks who come on Tuesday mornings
for our Daily Bread food distribution. If you know of
someone who needs one of the Thanksgiving Baskets,
please speak to Jeanette Smith or Bill Grace.
If you could help us pay for the food and gift certificates,
please make out a check to the Lutheran
Church of the Resurrection and on the memo line
write “Turkey Fund” or “Daily Bread”.
Disappointed with the Church
William Abraham, a Methodist, wrote this for people
who are disappointed with some action taken
by their church. “We need to beware of a naïve
utopianism in our thinking about the church. Even
with complete success in the work of renewal, the
church is a fragile and mixed vessel. Jesus
warned us that even the kingdom will have wheat
and tares, which can be sorted out only at the end
of the age. Hence we should be prepared to live
with all sorts of difficulties, setbacks, strategic retreats
and challenges. If any are discouraged, I
urge them to read the writings of the fourth-century
leaders.”
He then referred to Athanasius, the fourth century
bishop of Alexandria in Egypt. He attended
the Council of Nicaea, which developed the creed
that bears the city’s name. He was a defender of
the faith expressed in that creed. But it was not
accepted in Egypt. At one point his defense of the
creed led to him being removed from office and
forced into exile. But he held onto the truth and
continued to write and speak in its defense. Even
in exile, he organized the faithful – and eventually
won the day. The view which he opposed, popular
at one time, eventually faded away.
Martin Luther in his arguments with church authorities
reminded his opponents that church councils
had often contradicted themselves in the long
history of the church. What seemed like the right
decision at one point in history was later found to
be wrong.
The church in every age is led by fallible human
beings, whose vision is limited and clouded by sin.
Thus, it makes mistakes. Hence, you shouldn’t be
surprised if you’re disappointed by something the
church does. Yet at the same time, when we criticize
an action, we should remember that we suffer
the same limitations as those who made the decision.
In church, both sides of any disagreement
should be open to the idea that they may be wrong.
So we should be humble about our opinion and
respectful of those who disagree with us.
Prayer List Clean Up
It has been awhile since we last tidied up the list.
This time we will concentrate on our service men
and women. We want to be effective in our prayers
for those who are serving our country in places like
Iraq and Afghanistan. However, we have some
names on the bulletin list that have been there for
quite a while, and whom we have no details about.
By now, some of them must have returned
safely. Some of them may even have retired from
the military and moved into the old soldier's home.
Seriously though, we need your help to clean
things up. The names that follow are on the bulletin
every week. If you have information or updates
about any of them, please let Pastor or Jim Baker
know. Otherwise, if we don't hear anything, we will
remove the names from the list in a few weeks.
Here are the names:
Nathaniel, Benjamin, Adam, Alex C., Steve M.,
Harlan, Hunter, Jason, Jeffery, Noah, Sammy, and
Steven.
LCR Newsletter Nov 2009 Page 4
Advent Season Begins!!

Nov Birthdays Anniversaries
1 Keith Jenkins 1
2
3
Donna Autobee
Justin Linaberry
Josh Miller
Maggie Autobee
7 Margie Christopher 7
2
3
Change the Letters on the Marque Sign
We’re still seeking a volunteer to change the letters
on the Marque Sign on the church lawn.
Ideally, the sign is changed once a week, at the
convenience of the volunteer. Sometimes the
pastor wants to announce a coming event (like a
baptism or special service. Other times, we consult
a book of clever messages or even the internet
for eye catching sayings. If you’d be willing to
help, please speak to Pastor Jeff.
Become a Member of the Fellowship
Committee
9 Helen Rauch 9
10
11
Yvette Lopez
Ruby Pena
Jim Baker
Bernie Schurade
Jenny Winter
10
11
12 Collin Faile 12
13 Bill Nobiling 13
16 Grace Arulanandam 16
17 Joshua Jenkins 17
18 Jakob Britt 18
Do you enjoy a rewarding job If so we have
just the one for you. Become a member of the
Fellowship Committee. It doesn't pay much, in
fact nothing monetary, and it can often be hard
work, but it is worth it to see the happiness on
people's faces as they enjoy dining together in a
Christian atmosphere. We will be having a meeting
before the end of the year to develop a schedule
of events and their themes with suggested
menus to present to Council. Two teams are
needed so no one (except the Chairperson) has to
work more than four or so months per year.
Please consider this as donating your time and talent
as part of our Stewardship ministry. We discovered
long ago this is the most visible committee, with
the exception of worship and music, so now is your
chance to shine and have fun at the same time. We
need some new ideas and cheerfully welcome them.
If you wish to join please contact Carol Reaves.
Newsletter Editor:
Suanne Oliver
sko@satx.rr.com
19 Andrew Hood 19
22 22 Kurt & Mindy Weinelt
25 Harvey Aude 25
26
Kristi Garcia
Carrie Buckingham
29 Joseph Schurade 29
30 Sonia Guerrero 30
26 Greg & Anne Wilson
Ladies Night Out
Our 'night out' this time will be at Sea Island
Shrimp House located at 5959 NW Loop 410. We will
meet there at about 6:30 pm on November 30.
Please come join us.. And bring a friend!
Suggestions for future restaurants are always
needed.. and wanted. Call Joyce for information @
623-2288.
LCR Newsletter Nov 2009 Page 5
Advent Season Begins!!

Worship Assistant Schedule
Nov 1 - Dec 6
Date Ushers Greeters Altar Guild
Sunday
Church
Cleaner
Saturday
Church
Cleaner
Nov 1 Bill & John Craig The Bakers
Margie Perales
Karen Woodruff
1 st Sunday
Margie Perales
1 st Sat. 11/7
Jerry McCarty
Nov 8
Jim & Suanne
Oliver
Ken & Janice
Doxtad
Janie Saenz
Lorena Guerrero
2 nd Sunday
Mark Laneman
2 nd Sat. 11/14
Tonia Faile &
Joyce Swartz
Nov 15
Bob Schoonover
Tom Robinson
Janie Saenz
Valda Towles
Joyce Swartz
Sonia Guerrero
3 rd Sunday
Lorena
Guerrero
3 rd Sat . 11/21
the Schwab’s
Nov 22
Bernie & B. W.
Schurade
John Craig
Monica
Ramsower
Diane & Juanita
Talamantes
4 th Sunday
Juanita
Talamantes
4 th Sat . 11/28
Bill & Laurie
Grace
Nov 29 Bob Schoonover Lorena Guerrero
1 st Sat. 12/5
Bob Schoonover
Dec 6
Roy Ronnfeldt
Mark Laneman
Margie Perales
Joyce Swartz
Margie Perales
Karen Woodruff
1 st Sunday
Pat Jenkins
Date Deacon Lector
November 1 Erick Nystrom Lisa Oldfield
November 8 Sean McMaughan Lindsay Krauland
Communion
Assistants
Ellen Nystrom
Tonia Faile
Dean Winter
November 15
Bob Schoonover
Sean and Marie
McMaughan
November 22 Dean Winter Molly Cude
Bob Schoonover
Mark Laneman
November 25
Thanksgiving Eve
Bob Schoonover
Jim Baker
November 29 Tom Robinson Bill Grace
Dean Winter
Tonia Faile
December 6 Erick Nystrom Ophelia Talamantez Tom Robinson
If you can not serve when you are scheduled, please find a replacement;
for example, trade with the person serving the following week;
OR call the church office and leave a message.
Thank you.
LCR Newsletter Nov 2009 Page 6
Advent Season Begins!!