It's an old joke but here it is slightly revised

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer

celebrating the Spirit as we work for justice, healing and reconciliation on the earth

Pastor’s Page What Do We Mean By Mission? June, 2005

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ²He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” ⁶And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. ⁷Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Luke 10:1-9

People have long seen Bible readings like this one as mission statements for the church. The word “mission” has such a mixed history for us. Mission can mean a special assignment given to a person or a group. Businesses, non-profit organizations and many churches have mission statements like the one printed in the header of this newsletter. Yet in the history of the church, mission has often had abusive or deadly consequences such as the church missions in our state that used the labor of Native Americans and forced them to give up their native worship practices and often coerced them into becoming Christian.

What does it mean now to read the Bible in order to reclaim a more healthy, Christ-centered vision of mission? As I read the Bible passage above, I wonder who was engaged in the mission of Christ when pairs of people showed up in towns around the Judean countryside. Was the mission of Christ being advanced by those who went out or by those who received them? Was the mission of Christ being advanced by those who trusted God enough to let go of their purse of money and their bag of clothes or by those who clothed them when necessary? Was the mission of Christ advanced when some went out and risked trusting people whom they had never met or those who risked receiving and feeding the stranger who showed up at their doorstep to bring healing. Yes and Yes.

And so our congregation will once again have an opportunity to drive to the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission, a mission run entirely by Native Americans, in ministry with Native Americans, and in witness to the Gospel of Christ to all who come to help. You are invited to join us in leaving on Saturday, September 24 and returning on Saturday, October 1. This is not a trip focused upon making Christians of people who are not already Christians. Indeed, many Navajo have now claimed Christianity as their own for many generations and worship in their own language incorporating aspects of their own culture into worship. And some Navajo still practice many aspects of the traditional worship of their ancestors. This trip will find us helping to rehabilitate the housing of elderly Navajo while learning from our brothers and sisters there. It is a trip for us to discover something more about a God who has chosen to be met in the flesh, a God who asks us to trust that whether we risk to venture out to a strange, new land or whether we remain at home to welcome the strangers who come to our town, we are doing the work of Christ. And when we risk meeting God in such new and surprising places, we often start to see God in new ways amid the old places and relationships.

Please let me know if you would like more information about this amazing “mission trip”!

Pastor Robyn

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New Member Workshop

Sunday, June 5, 2005 at noon with lunch available in advance

All are welcome to attend this session that will last from noon until 1:45 p.m. with lunch available in advance. This is particularly geared towards those who have joined in membership over the past year, those considering joining in membership and those friends of the congregation that feel like members. Please sign up in the narthex, call the office or email Pastor Robyn at PastorRobyn@aol.com so that she can provide you with a spiritual gifts inventory to complete in advance of the workshop.

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Domestic Violence Education Event with Video and Panel Discussion

Sunday, June 12, 2005 at noon with lunch available in advance

“Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse and control exercised by one person in an intimate relationship over another. When the word “abuse” is used here, it refers to situations or actions in which people experience coercion and/or fear for their safety or for their very lives. It consists of physical assaults, sexual assaults, psychological threats and assaults, isolation, verbal attacks, and attacks against property and pets. It may be repeated, severe beatings, or more subtle forms of abuse and control. The pattern covers a wide range of behaviors. Some are physically injurious and some are not, but all are psychologically damaging to the victim.”

“In 1987, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, ‘identified domestic violence as the No. 1 health problem for American women, causing more injuries than automobile accidents, muggings and rapes combined. Domestic violence occurs at every level of society: persons of every age, race, religion and economic standing are affected. As religious communities, we must educate ourselves about this phenomenon so that we can offer help to those in our congregations caught in its grip and teach prevention measurers to our young so that the problem will cease.”

It's an old joke but here it is slightly revised. One must stay up to date.

By Reverend Stan Olson

It is early Sunday morning and two people are waking up. One is up and at it, while the other lingers in the sack.

"Get up, it's Sunday morning. We've got to get to church."

"Don't bother me." is the reply. " I'm tired. I'm going to sleep in."

"O no you don't! Get out of that bed! We are going to church!" says the first person. "Do I have to?" Is the groggy reply.

"Yes, you have to." says Tania. "You are the pastor."

And so it goes, Yes, we do expect our pastor to be there every Sunday except for a few vacation and special weekends. We look forward to seeing her. We could care less whether or not she is tired or not in the mood. Its her job. Her calling. She is our leader at worship. And we want to see her. We do indeed appreciate her worship, leadership and her sermons. And we like it as she greets us after the service. Worship is a habit with attached blessings.

Who do you expect to see on Sundays when you come to Our Redeemer? Are there certain persons that you expect to be there to greet you? Certain persons who always sit in about the same pew each Sunday? Going to church would be a jolt if on some Sunday everyone of those faithful persons we unconsciously expect to see all happened to sleep in and, when you sat down and looked around, you didn't really know hardly anyone.

Do you suppose that there are other members who really do expect to see you when they walk into the church on Sunday morning? Yes, we really are family. We count on each other. We gather for worship, but we gather as family, as the gathered people of God.

I'm really not the one who should be writing this column. There are many Sunday's when we are missing. There are three Sundays in May when we will be among the missing. Twice I am preaching up in Truckee and on one Sunday we will be in Phoenix for the 60th anniversray of a church in Phoenix where Mary Lou and I were charter members. It will be personally meaningful for me since on that day when the congregation was organized I felt the call to become a pastor.

But we will miss being at LCOR. We have been accepted. This is our church home. We belong. We believe in this gathering of God's people and in its mission to the city and to the world.

Next Sunday look around you. Look for the people you expected to see. Know that others expected to see you. Its a part of the joy of the stewardship of our lives and of our faith.

Offer a prayer of thanks for those who have gathered, and for the privilege of being among them and with them.

Pour Justice to the Brim – Submitted by Todd Feather

Our first two Coffee Sundays were a great success. Thanks to all of you who ordered Fair Trade coffee for yourselves or to donate to LCOR! (If you taste a little Hazelnut this month, you can thank one of the Fair Trade supporters¼ I’ll leave it up to you to guess who might be responsible...)

Some of you have said that, while you don’t mind paying a bit more for Justice coffee, you don’t understand why we are now using paper cups, which are more expensive, at church. This is a good question since there have been changes in the manufacture of Styrofoam in the past several years. Here is some of the information that my “Google” search turned upon this issue.

Styrofoam was originally made using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which have been banned as a danger to our global environment. CFCs were replaced with somewhat safer hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs). Now, however, HFCs have been found to be a more serious environmental threat than originally thought and are being banned in a “phase out” process that will end in 2030.

Even if the CFC/HFC issues can be resolved satisfactorily by Styrofoam manufacturers, the problem of environmental waste still remains. This type of plastic foam never breaks down completely in a land fill and can only be recycled by a special process. This process is not available anywhere in the Sacramento area.

So, what do we do? A couple of solutions are available, which can be implemented together. First, there is the option for some, or all, coffee drinkers to bring their own mug or cup from home which they can then take home and wash with their own dishes. Second, we can resume use of the ceramic mugs at church (more mugs will be available soon). However, this places an extra burden on the Sunday Hospitality Host/ess and should only be implemented week by week on a voluntary basis.

Finally, paper cups will always be available for use. Fair Trade cups are less than, or equal to, the cost of paper cups available locally and are made from recycled paper. Now, if we could work out a system for recycling those paper cups to keep them out of the landfill . . . .

And, one late breaking note: Equal Exchange has just come out with Fair Trade sugar! We are currently enjoying this product in the fellowship hall. Please try some, if you need to sweeten up the “brew” on Sunday Morning.

If you have additional ideas of ways that we can treat God’s creation more equitably or would like to learn more about any of these products, please join us for Micah Sunday, May 22^nd in the fellowship hall. We will be discussing more ways that LCOR can be involved in issues that promote justice among God’s people and care for God’s creation. We hope you can join us.

Relationship with Habitat for Humanity deepening

1. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity® are creating the largest homebuilding and fund-raising program of its kind as our organizations expand our relationship.

The program, which will be introduced nationally this fall, includes four components under the theme of Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, all designed to engage more Thrivent Financial members in caring for others and making a significant impact in their communities. They are:

Thrivent Builds Homes through which we will sponsor the construction of hundreds of Habitat homes every year, roughly 10 to 15 homes per Regional Financial Office (RFO). We will fund the majority of the cost for each home through a national grant, with continued funding raised locally by Thrivent chapters and Habitat for Humanity affiliates. This program is about much more than money, though, as we will engage our members and other Lutherans in volunteering at the home builds and make a significant impact on the families for whom we build and the communities in which we build.

Thrivent Builds Giving will be presented as an annual challenge to Thrivent Financial members. We anticipate adding 50 cents to every dollar our members donate to Habitat for Humanity through this program.

Thrivent Builds Worldwide will enable Thrivent Financial members and others to put their faith into action by participating in short-term mission trips during which they’ll build spiritual growth and develop global relationships working side-by-side with local volunteers.

Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods aims to help significantly reduce or eliminate poverty housing in a specific neighborhood by providing sizable grants and working with local institutions and Habitat for Humanity affiliates.

“This effort will help build homes, one of the most important assets for families and communities,” said Thrivent Financial President and CEO Bruce Nicholson. “Decent housing is recognized as the most significant financial asset that helps families into the economic mainstream and leads to stronger communities. Our increased involvement with Habitat signifies our desire to make an even larger impact on society by working with Habitat to achieve its goal of eliminating substandard housing.

“This effort will involve our many members and employees who currently volunteer for Habitat and encourage many more to get engaged in their communities,” Bruce said. “This effort will enable Lutherans to demonstrate their care and concern for others and make a big difference in society.”

Funding for existing fraternal offerings, such as the chapter Care programs and the GivingPlusÔ program, will not be impacted by the introduction of Thrivent Builds.

Significant impact expectedOver the coming years, Thrivent Financial with its members will be contributing millions of dollars and many thousands of volunteer hours to strengthen families and communities and provide decent, affordable housing for families. We expect to:

Contribute at least $25 million of corporate funding to supplement funds raised by chapters and congregations.

Build 500 homes per year in the United States, and contribute to the construction of another 500 abroad, for a total of 1,000 homes annually as of 2006.

Engage 100,000 volunteers who invest a combined 500,000 hours of volunteer time in Thrivent Builds projects every year.

Support 100 congregational mission trips annually.

“We are ecstatic that Thrivent Financial has so dramatically increased its relationship with us,” said Paul Leonard, chief executive officer for Habitat for Humanity International. “For 14 years, Thrivent Financial has joined us in our dream to change lives by building affordable homes with families in need. This partnership brings both financial support and volunteers to help us increase our capacity and serve even more families. It’s a great program for both organizations.”

If you have questions, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at 1-800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com Services.

A Poem for Pentecost

by Maestro Dennis

Unto father, through the door of your Son

You come Holy Spirit as comforter.

Path blazed by desires in flame

Journey awakes to its joyous game.

Guided in darkness now in light

Motion becomes its own delight

The end is in the source inscribed

Around the circle never described

Time and space and motion sublime

Rhythm of stillness signs the hymn

All is yet an intense reality

A moment in conscious luminosity.

5 Jacob Sauber-Cavazos

7 Brian Walima

9 Kristofer Chinn

11 Sherri Allwine

11 Mabel Butler

15 Weldon Rivers

17 Justine Bradley

21 Elsie Coats

21 Daniel Wright

24 John Franzen

25 Phillippa Bradley

27 Gwen Lokke

1^st Annual

Who: All (kids, teens, adults)

When: Saturday,

June 18, 2005

Where: LCOR

What: BBQ, Games, Prizes

Please come and join us to kick off the summer with fun for everyone!

We will be announcing other fun events for all of you to enjoy throughout the summer.

Prayer List: Knowing that God hears prayers, please pray for the following this month.

Healing for: George Mihal; Carolyn Johnson recovering from a shoulder injury; Solomon; family & financial problems to reunite as a family; Seth; Carol; Jeff Ranstrom; Ron Barrett; Sylva Barber; Grace Schauf; Grace Walima; Sally Thayer; Susann Winters; Vicki Camblin recovering from broken ankle.

Prayers for: Kenturle-addiction, Florence-grandmother, Della-mother; wisdom for parents of teenagers in trouble, strength to do the right thing; peace from war in Iraq; all those that are affected by war & conflict throughout the world especially in Iraq, Sudan, Israel & Palestine; peace of mind for Katie & Kelly & all who face job uncertainty; openness for our teaches; guidance of the Spirit for all those in a discernment process; ELCA & all religious group struggling with division and conflict; the homeless & poverty stricken; struggling relationships; renewal on vacation for Rick & Orte; employees at state printing plant especially Marty; Tsunami survivors; Intern Pastor Jay Wilson; families of all who have lost their lives in the war in Iraq; Ron Raiber; Sharon Mobbs & all seeking employment.

Comfort & Strength for: Shirley Edwards who last week lost her mother (Millie) father (Clyde) 2 months ago, help her re-connect with people she has shut out; everyone who suffer from chronic pain; the addicted their family & friends Lucie, Donna & Lynn; Kim Bradley’s grandmothers & their families; Tim Kreamer; Peg Gregoire.

Comfort for all who grieve especially:

Orte’s family; family & friends of Mary Jane Millert; Gwen & Gordon Lokke & family; family & friends of the following who have died over the past year: Eleanor McPeak, Charlotte Allred, Fil Vogt, Doris Bozonier, Bill Nicholas, Robyn Sadowski, John Zacharias, Mary Lou Olson’s brother & Louie Guadagno; for children

who are harmed & for those who abuse them.

Thanksgiving for: Fil; Jack’s life on the anniversary of his surgery; thanks for his many skilled doctors; the marriage of Amber Frankin & Jack Rahmey & the blending of the Irelan & Franklin families.

Navajo Trip Sign Up - September 24 to October 2

Jesus sent his disciples out to every town and village where he himself intended to go. As we prepare to return again to the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission, I can assure you that Jesus is already there! Carol and Jack Bowyer are the most recent members of our congregation who have arranged for vacation time in order to join Pastor Robyn and others on this trip! You and members of other local Lutheran congregations are also invited to join us on this trip and to reencounter the God of Jesus. The primary projects that we will undertake are rehabilitating the homes of Navajo elders. In past years, we have been led in such projects by Navajo men who are skilled in carpentry and construction. For those of you would like to join us but who have concerns about participating in building or painting projects, please let Pastor Robyn know of your interests and skills. The director of the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission has assured me that they have need for everybody who comes with a desire to participate.

We will leave from Sacramento on Saturday, September 24 and drive half way. We will complete our drive on Sunday, September 25 and arrive in time for dinner and evening worship. Accommodations at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission are modest shared apartment spaces for an average of four people with air-conditioning and semiprivate rooms for two people. The schedule recommended by the director on past trips has seen our days beginning early with morning devotions over breakfast at about 6:00 a.m. During the morning hours we have worked on various projects, taking breaks for snacks and drinks. At about 12:30 p.m. we have stopped our work for the day and shared in lunch and conversation about our experiences during the morning. Afternoons have been available for site seeing to such places as Canyon de Chelley, Monument Valley, Four Corners or Navajo National Park which are all within a two hour drive from the mission at Rock Point. We will share dinner together in the evening and conclude our day with worship and reflection upon where God met us during that day.

We will return on Saturday, October 1. On past trips, some cars have chosen to stop at the Grand Canyon on their two day journey home, while other groups with multiple drivers have occasionally opted to drive home in one day to be back for Sunday worship and tell their home congregation all about their trip. The number of participants will be limited based upon the capacity of the Mission to accommodate us. The total cost of the trip will be $350 which will cover lodging at the mission, costs of food prepared by our volunteers while we are there, money to cover gas expenses for travel and sightseeing. Those who desire may pick up a sponsorship form in order to invite family, friends and coworkers to participate in sponsoring your costs for trip. Scholarships are also available as we are committed to not letting cost prevent anybody from participating. You will need to bring your own money to cover food while traveling to and from the Navajo Nation, site seeing expenses and monies to purchase any desired souvenirs (such as Navajo jewelry, art or rugs). Your space will be held once you submit the form below along with a $75 deposit payable to Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer with Navajo Trip Deposit in the memo line. (Your deposit is refundable up until 30 days prior to the trip.) ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ Navajo Lutheran Mission Trip Registration Form

(Please complete a separate form for each individual attending)

Name _____________________________Street Address _________________________City ______________________ State _____________Zip Code ___________________Phone Number ______________________Email Address ________________________

Age (if under 21) ________Your Congregational Affiliation_______________________ Do you plan to drive? ____________If so, are you able to transport additional people? _________________If so, how many additional people can you transport besides yourself and any spouse/partner? _________________________________________________________

Please describe any dietary needs or restrictions _______________________________

______________________________________________________________________Please describe any health concerns or medication needs that may effect your participation in any way or that we should be aware of in the event of an emergency:

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If you have a need to travel separately from the group, by a different means of transportation or on different dates for some reason (such as a desire to add other vacation time onto the beginning or the end of this trip), please indicate that below. Otherwise, we will assume that you will be traveling with the group and will plan accordingly _____________________________________________________________

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Property Update and Overview

Projects Underway:

1. Plumbing - the old septic system that the church buildings have been on finally, for lack of a better description, imploded totally. The county, when faced with situations like this requires hook up to the county sewer system. The job has been underway for the last two weeks and should be complete by Sunday the 22^nd of May.

Total cost: approximately $25,000.00

2. New Church Sign and destruction of old church sign -

* Project started October of 2004

* Sign delivered April 25, 2005

* Expected install date completion May 31^st to June 7^th

* Cost: approximately $6,500.00

* Addition also: spotlights to light cross at night

3. Redesign and Rebuilding - of area on Marconi side of Narthex entryway.

* When an automobile came off Marconi Ave and knocked down bushes,

the small LCOR sign and a part of the separating wall, the area

had to be redesigned and rebuilt. After discussions with the property

Team it was decided to:

A. Dispense with the wall and the old cypress tress that shielded

the narthex entrance from view.

B. Install a smaller new bench on the remaining wall

C. Re-landscape and plant new foliage to highlight the entrance and make it more inviting . Foliage has been picked from biblical historical geographic areas.

4. Roofing on classroom and office areas of complex -

* Although the roofing is still an intact system, general maintenance to

extend and support the lifetime of the system needs to be done.

* The polyurethane roofing needs to be sprayed with a protectant to keep

the UV Rays from breaking it down prematurely.

* Cost: $8,000.00 to $12,000.00

5. Repainting - the Fireside Room.

6. Garbage Disposal - in Fireside Room kitchen and possible reworking of hot water system.

7. Repair and Maintenance of chain link fence around the property.

8. Either topping off or removal of Itallian cypress trees next to Marconi side of sanctuary.

These are the projects either in the planning stages or in progress. Much thanks and blessings to all of those who have been indispensable in both the planning and implementation of these projects. If there are any ideas or further information required, I would be more than happy to discuss these projects or ideas for other projects. My telephone, cell phone or email are accessible and always available.

Blessings to all of us in this small but dynamic church and congregation: our church home and family.

David Lowney