Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer

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

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor’s Page                                     Another Road                                     March, 2007

 

And [the Magi] having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the left for their own country by another road.              - Mathew 2:1

 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.   - Robert Frost

 

It is often said that life is a journey.  The purple color of this newsletter is that reminder that we are on the annual phase of the journey we call Lent.  Lent is that 40 day span that begins with Ash Wednesday and culminates with the renewal of our baptism at Easter.  (Sundays are not counted in the 40 days because they are always little celebrations of Easter on the journey.)  Lent is a soul journey in which we travel by various roads or pathways and recognize that we have choices to make about which road we will choose.  The easier road is usually the one that is well worn, frequently traveled and easily marked.  Many people have traveled this way, and we are easily tempted to follow. Throughout the season of Lent, our Gospel texts challenge us to consider the road less traveled, the more challenging path, the way of the cross.  God has promised that this journey with Jesus through death to new life does indeed make all the difference.

 

On Ash Wednesday, February 21, we kneeled to receive ashes on our foreheads and to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return.  This day reminded us that one of the characteristics of the road less traveled, this path with Jesus is that it is a road of humility.  During the Sundays of Lent, we are looking at other aspects of this road:

 

Sunday, February 25                           The Road of Truth

Sunday, March 4                                 The Road of Danger

Sunday, March 11                               The Road of Judgment

Sunday, March 18                               The Road Back Home

Sunday, March 25                               The Road of Anticipation

Sunday, April 1 and Holy Week                      The Road through death to new life

 

Which road have we traveled in the past?  Which road are we on now? Which road will we choose in the future?

 

Your companion on the journey,        

Pastor Robyn

 

 


January 26, 2007

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

I am writing to you out of my deep concern about the war in Iraq. Our country is engaged in a divisive debate about the nature and direction of this war. It is a war that is taking place both within the context of increasing insecurity in the Middle East and in relation to the unacceptable level of violence and violations of human rights in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

As the war in Iraq escalates and the way to a lasting peace seems unclear, how shall we who are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America respond?

Each one of us has, as part of our baptismal vocation, the call to "strive for justice and peace in all the world." Pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers have committed themselves to support other Christians in this calling and to live it themselves. Working for peace is part of our shared work in Christ. What does this mean during this critical moment in the life of our country? What does this mean in the life of the world, especially as we consider this country's military and economic power? Together we need to discern what is a just response that will contribute to an enduring peace.

One of the most significant contributions we can make is to engage in this debate with intentionality, seriousness, and vigor. We must bring the best insights from our faith, our theology, our experience, and our intellect to this challenge, engaging in what will be difficult conversations in our congregations, communities, and with our elected officials.

I earnestly hope that within all the congregations of this church we, the baptized, will be engaged in prayer and moral deliberation, especially in light of the escalation of violence, the growing casualties on all sides in the war in Iraq, and the urgency to seek peace. I look to the leadership of this church to assist congregations in doing so.

We have helpful tools that can inform and assist us in these discussions. I encourage you to read again the ELCA Social Statement "For Peace in God's World" and the Message on "Living in a Time of Terrorism." These are rich resources that offer guidance to us during these critical times.

As policy makers discuss how best to conclude the U.S. military presence in Iraq, I believe that there are a number of aspects related to our involvement that compel our response:

As we discuss the war, I call on each of us to listen to and respect the views of others. At a time when this country's public discourse has become contentious and people often feel powerless, it is a sign of hope for congregations and communities to engage publicly in civil and moral deliberation. Even as the Congress wrestles with its response to the president's new strategy, it is time for us as citizens and members of this church to engage one another. As members of the ELCA we can model our civic responsibility and offer another way to come together with our varied perspectives to discern what we can contribute to the common good and a lasting peace. I encourage all of us to dare to struggle with these issues and to share the results of those discussions with our elected representatives. As our social statement on peace says, in deciding about matters related to war, "we face conflicting moral claims and agonizing dilemmas."

Finally, we must continue to pray for peace, live out our Christian call to be peacemakers, and encourage all those in authority to redouble their efforts to work for peace with justice and the global common good.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

 

 

 

 


As we and other Lutheran congregations across the country begin using resources out of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book which is replacing the old Lutheran Book of Worship, you will begin to notice slight changes in some of the terms used to describe various elements of worship. For example, we will now refer to those gathered for worship as "the assembly" rather than "the congregation."  Given that we will be shifting some of our terminology, I asked our cantors and organist if they had any desire to reevaluate the use of the word "cantor" which is not very familiar to many people.  The strong preference of our cantors was to continue use of the term.  They preferred to educate the congregation about the history of this word and the role of this person in the worship service. After reading a thoughtful and compelling Email from Karen Hartstein, I asked her to offer a version of those same thoughts for our newsletter.  Thank you to Karen for sharing the following reflections with us!    Pastor Robyn

 

The Role of a Cantor

 

Recently, the use of the title “cantor” was called into question with request for a response from those of us who serve in that role in our Sunday Services. I was surprised to find how deeply this issue ran within me, and the stirrings of my soul inspired the following:

 

I have had some trepidation about performing up to par in the role as cantor and discovered that my fears are two-fold. I take the role of cantor very seriously and of course want to do my best to bring to our Congregation the most loving and inspired music. So I may be suffering a bit of “stage-fright” in my performance, but my real reason runs much deeper:

 

The name “cantor” has significant historical value for me as a Jew. As a child, I recall the power and majesty of the cantor invoking the Lord God with his strong, masculine voice. And in those days all the cantors were men. Recently, however, I went to a Bat Mitzvah (the welcoming of a girl into Jewish womanhood before the Congregation…a thing unheard of in my girlhood) and heard a woman cantor sang so elegantly, I longed to be one. I told myself that, had I remained in Judaism with these new opportunities for women at last opening up, I would have become a cantor.

 

God had other plans for me. Instead, I was called to be a cantor for a Christian fellowship at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer.

 

When the name “Song Leader” was suggested as a replacement name for “cantor,” immediate objections rose up in me. The role of a cantor is not to lead the people in song (as in Girl Scouts). It is to invoke the Power of God, to invite the Holy Spirit to come and indwell in the body of God’s People that we may be found worthy of the Christ as our Head; Bride and Bridegroom of the Highest Order. When a song is incanted, such as “Let us pray to The Lord, Lord have mercy,” or “Amen, Come Lord Jesus, Amen, Come Holy Spirit,” we are quite literally asking God to be with and in us. It is no wonder I have anxiety about my role as cantor. It is a big responsibility to call upon God for His People in prayer.

 

In our daily worship, so many things become automatic for us, that we may be tempted to call a cantor a song leader, or may cease to feel in the depth of our souls words of profound meaning and power. It is my desire that, as cantors, we provide an opportunity for our Congregation, through inspired musical prayer, to rekindle that Holy Flame within us to open up and surrender to Emmanuel and allow Him to truly enter in.

 

May God Be With and In You!

 

Love,

 

Karen H

 

 


Congregation Observers Invited to 2007 Churchwide Assembly

Each congregation of the ELCA may register with the secretary one congregation observer for the Churchwide Assembly prior to May 31. An observer has reserved seating in the observers section and will receive all assembly materials. Observers have neither voice nor vote. The registration fee is $150 Other costs, such as housing, meals, and transportation, are the responsibility of the observer or sending congregation.

The assembly is at Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, August 6-12, 2007

For information or to register, call 1.800.638.3522. Please talk to any council member or Pastor Robyn if you would be interested in serving as our observer.  Unfortunately, all costs must be paid by the observer as the congregation has no separate source of funding for this.

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                     FLOWER ANNOUNCEMENT

flower - cartoon 3.gif

If you are interested in donating flowers in memory of a special person or in honor of a special event, please contact the church office by Tuesday at noon in advance of the Sunday you desire to give flowers so that we can include in the bulletin the name or event for which you are donating flowers.  Then please deliver the flowers to the congregation at least 30 minutes before the start of the worship service. 

 

                                                             Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 


MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A GREAT

ADULT EDUCATION SERIES!

 

ANNOUNCING...

THE MARCH BOOK CLUB

 

The book club idea has been floating around Our Redeemer for some time. Wanda Collins, retired professor and book club veteran, has agreed to get us started by facilitating discussion around one book...

 


Faith and Politics: How the “Moral Values” Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together

 

by former Senator John Danforth

A moderate Republican and

And an ordained Episcopal priest

 

Danforth talks about the difference between being a

Christian person and having a Christian agenda in politics.

 

Copies of the book are available from Wanda; the cost is $17.

 

Please plan to join us after worship on

Sundays in March.

 

 

 


In Memoriam

The Reverend Donald Erwin Wagner

August 4, 1921 - February 8, 2007

 

The Rev Donald Wagner, age 86, died in the early morning of February 8, 2007.

 

Rev Wagner was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 4, 1921. He was graduated from Carthage College, Carthage, IL with a BA degree in 1942 and in 1945 was graduated from Northwestern Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, MN with a BD degree. He was ordained in the United Lutheran Church in America on March 4, 1945. The next day he married Lois Ann Paddock.

 

Rev Wagner served as pastor at: Faith, Long Beach, CA 1945 - 1948; First Lutheran, Oakland, CA 1948 - 1959; Mount of Olives, Phoenix, AZ 1959 - 1964; Ebenezer, San Francisco CA 1964 - 1974; and St Matthew, Walnut Creek, CA from 1974 until his retirement in August of 1986. (His resignation was effective on the date of his 65th birthday, August 4.) In 1988 St Matthew Lutheran church granted Pastor Wagner the title of Pastor Emeritus. And, in 1995 Carthage College, Pastor Wagner's alma mater, awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

 

Throughout his ministry, Rev Wagner also served the wider church: the chair of the Vocations Committee, (now known as the Candidacy Committee) of the Pacific Southwest Synod, Dean of the Peninsula District and President of the Northern Conference and 17 years as a member of the Executive Board (Synod Council) of the Pacific Southwest Synod of the LCA.

 

A service has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m., February 25, 2007, at St Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek 94598.

 

Pastor Wagner is survived by his wife Lois, son Paul and daughter-in-law, Rita. Condolences may be sent to 22445 Cupertino Rd., #234, Cupertino, CA 95014.


Blessed be the memory of this servant of God!

 

 


Hello Pastor!

Just wanted to check in with you...

My sister Lucy and I had a very nice drive to Arkansas.  We did not encounter any rain or snow, just plenty of blue skies, sunshine and beautiful scenery of recent fallen snow all through AZ, NM, TX, OK and Arkansas.  Temps in AZ got as low as 11 degrees at 11:00 am on Saturday. Seems we were traveling behind the storms. 

We safely pulled into Bella Vista last Sunday to see a winter wonderland.  By Tuesday it had all melted. 

Thanks to everyone's prayers for our safe travels.

It's been chilly with an average of about 50 degrees, it got up to 63 on Wednesday last week.  What a scorcher!

We expect a bit of wet snow tomorrow.

I've been very busy making our "nest" I miss Greg and can't wait for him to get here.  He is very busy with the closing of the Fair Oaks house.  As soon as he gets here, we will both move into the new house.  For now, I will continue to get it set up and ready for his arrival as I continue to stay at my sister's.

Our "relocube" with our belongings arrived on Friday and we got it unloaded.  One of the first things I unpacked and placed on the windowsill is the framed prayer that Paul presented to us at church.  It gives me great comfort.  I know that not only is God always with me, but so are my friends at LCOR.

Speaking of friends, Greg and I were so overwhelmed by the love that was shown to us at our goodbye blessing.  Ellie said she could feel the love in the church.  So did we. We are so thankful to be a part of this wonderful little church.  Thank you for making it such a special day.

I miss my little church.

I visited the local ELCA church on Sunday.  Next week I will go to the one in Rogers just up the highway about 15 minutes.  Although I enjoy the company of the elderly, I don't think I will fit into a congregation whose average age is about 75. I was definitely the youngest person there...they even have a "lending closet" where one can borrow shower chairs and commodes...so I will continue shopping for a place of worship, since I think it will be some time before I need to borrow any of these items.  Ha!

I have also started looking for a job.  Hopefully I will find something soon so Greg doesn't feel too overwhelmed.  Please pray for me.

I will close for now.  Please give my best to everyone and tell them I am already missing them.

Peace-

Juanita

 

 

 

 

 

 


PACIFIC LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Friday, 16 March, 2007 @ 9:00 am
Chapel of the Cross

Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Donald Senior
Professor of New Testament Studies and President of Catholic Theological Union Respondent: The Rev. Dr. David Balch
Professor of New Testament at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

With a diversity of approaches to, perspectives on, and interpretations of the Bible informing North American Christians as we go about our daily lives, serve in our congregations, and make important political decisions, how we live together in genuine communities as learners and lovers of the word amidst complexity and conflict remains a critical and vital task.

Lutherans throughout North America are not exempt from these realities, even as we are invigorated by the challenges these realities present. The second installment in a three-year sequence titled, Living Together in the 21st Century, this year the Hein-Fry Lecture will address the challenges of “living together in the 21st century” considering the state of the Bible in North America.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Registration & Refreshments

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Morning Prayer

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Lecture 1

11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Break with Refreshments

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lecture 2

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Lunch  * Lunch will be catered on the PLTS campus for a $10 fee per attendee.

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Lecture 3: Response

If you plan to attend, please contact Christopher Evans at cevans@plts.edu or (510) 559-2737 and provide your name, the number in your party, your telephone number and/or your e-mail address, and whether or not you plan to stay at PLTS for lunch..  If you plan to stay for lunch, please send $10 per person to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Attention: Hein-Fry Lecture, 2770 Marin Ave., Berkeley, CA 94708-1597. Checks should be made payable to PLTS.

The Hein-Fry Lectures are free and open to the public. This series of endowed theological lectures is coordinated by ELCA Vocation and Education in cooperation with the eight ELCA seminaries to foster original scholarship and enrich theological dialogue throughout the church.