Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 Fax 512.671.6103 www.lordoflifeaustin.org

April 2012 Edition Volume No. 1204

Inside this issue:

The Easter Laugh 1

Sermon Series 1

Kindred Sisters 2

Coffee Time 2

Preparing for Sunday 2

Birthdays/Anniversaries 2

Youth Focus 3

Cropwalk / Noisy Offering 3

What is God Calling Me... 3

Young Families Ministry 3

Prayer List 3

Game Day 3

Cooking Club 3

Library Notes 4

Prayer Shawl Ministry 4

Book Club 4

Global Initiatives 4

Thrivent Build 4

Holy Open Golf Tourney 4

BBQ & Bake Sale 4

Stephen Ministry 4

Job Search Ministry 5

Beth Moore Live! 5

State of the Church 5

Worship Leadership 6

Calendar 7

Beth Moore Bible Study 8

God’s Work, Our Hands

THE EASTER LAUGH

Foremost among our responses to the event of Easter are praise, thanksgiving, and joy.

And that's as it should be. At the same time, also consider this response: laughter. Yes,

laughter! This theme in Easter comes from the notion that in the resurrection a divine trick

has been played on the devil. Satan believed that on the cross Jesus had died once and for

all—that the forces of evil had prevailed over the forces of good. Yet God fooled the devil

by raising Jesus from the dead. This theme is highlighted in Holy Humor, a book in which

Cal and Rose Samra have compiled a number of quotations and stories about the

relationship between faith and humor. Here is one of them from Chapter Four, which is

titled “The Easter Laugh and Holy Humor Month.”

Church historians indicate that there is considerable evidence that during the early

centuries of Christianity, Easter celebrations went on for days and even weeks. But in

modern times, these celebrations have faded away....Occasionally, one will come across a

Greek Orthodox or Slavic or Byzantine Catholic church that still observes the old-country

customs...Rev. George Mihalke, pastor of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church,

Sykesville, PA, wrote: “In our parish we have managed to maintain the joy of our

ancestors during the Easter celebration. On Bright Monday and Tuesday [that is, the first

two days after Easter] we chase each other around after the services, drenching and being

drenched with water. It's quite a sight—the women pursuing their pastor (in his cassock)

down the street and around the grounds, drenching him with water. I'm sure the neighbors

think us quite mad!”

May each one of you experience an Easter filled both with praise and laughter!

Alan J. Watt

Interim Pastor

SERMON SERIES ON STEWARDSHIP

In conjunction with the 2012-2013 Annual Commitment, a sermon series will be given that

will focus on several values that we believe in and practice as Christians. Concentrating on

financial stewardship, this series will be loosely based on four sermons produced by

Norman E. Lucas. A retired Lutheran pastor, Lucas served among other congregations at

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tampa, FL.

“The Jesus Touch” (Matthew 9:18-26) April 15

“Your Money or Your Life!” (Matthew 6:19-21) April 22

“Money Management” (Matthew 25:14-30) April 29

“A Thank You Note to God” (Ephesians 5:18-20) May 6

Page 2 Life-Lines

Preparing for Sunday

April 1 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-15:47

April 8 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Mark 16:1-8

April 15 Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31

April 22 Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 April 29 Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18

LOLLC LADIES: KINDRED SISTERS

Monthly Meeting – 1st Tuesday Morning

Bring your saved cancelled postage stamps for LWR Stamporee Box

Questions: Marge Kretschmar 258-2988 or Glenace Klinker 671-3690

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

LWR Assemble “150” Personal Care Kits

10:30 am — Koinonia Cafe

Tuesday, May 1 2012

Topic TBD

10:30 am — Koinonia Cafe

COFFEE TIME

Thanks to:

Nell Pennington, Mary Vaughn,

Ila Mae Bartholomew, Chuck

Neeley, Bill & Diane Saegert,

Brenda Searcy, Adele Evans,

and Donna Estes

Grunska, Christopher 04/19 Hafner, Eric 04/20 Andrews, Deborah 04/21 Simon, Aubree 04/21 Hafner, Melanie 04/23 Weston, Koren 04/28 Anniversaries: Barbara Snook 04/02/1955 Barry & Lisa Kincart 04/05/2003 John & Patti Kassel 04/07/2001 Jeff & Mimi Kattawar 04/08/1995 Mike & Kim Klotz 04/13/1996

Birthdays: Kincart, Justine 04/01 Penland, Madalyn 04/01 Warnsman, Eric 04/01 Lucas, Jonathan 04/03 Lane, Robert 04/05 Crawford, Glen 04/07 Lopez, Oscar 04/10 Spilo, Chandler 04/10 Boudreau, Gloria 04/12 Tarsi, James 04/12 Wendlandt, Kelly 04/17 Simon, Shawn 04/18

KINDRED SISTERS NEWS

Kindred Sisters will assemble Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Personal Care Kits on

Tuesday, April 3, 10:30 am in Koinonia Café. When natural disaster strikes or political

conflict flares, families often have little chance to gather their belongings before fleeing the

danger. Dirty from traveling to a refugee camp or safety, people use these simple items in

the Kit wash away dirt and sweat. Imagine feeling the softness of a towel, smelling a fresh

scent of soap, and knowing someone cares for you! We hope to meet our challenge to

LOLLC to do 150 Kits. Come join us, all ladies and friends of LOLLC are

welcome. Deanna Brown will host lunch for us. Questions: Marge Kretschmar

258-2988 and/or Glenace Klinker 671-3690

Kindred Sisters meeting in March explored the thrills of "Garage Sales" led by the

champion “Garage Saler” Rea Wiruscheske. She brought some of her 150+ small

pitchers collected over the years to share with each of us. “Repurposed” items

brought by others consisted of jewelry, clothes, quilts, and purses. Got us all

thinking about what we have in our homes!

LWR Ingathering, Wednesday, April 11 between 8 am – 4 pm in Jackson Auditorium

parking lot at Texas Lutheran University, Sequin. Volunteer opportunity for men and

women: Experience collecting/loading/stacking the various LWR QUILTS and KITS from

Texas churches for shipment to Maryland. Also need helpers to do clerical as well as

re-taping and repacking boxes. Call 830-997-7937 We will take our Personal Care Kit

boxes to Abiding Love Church, Austin, on Tuesday morning, April 10, 2012.

Year 2012 Kindred Sisters HOSTESS Chart is on Board in the Café … Please sign

accordingly.

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Stamporee project. THANKS to all who are saving stamps

from your mail … Our LWR Stamp box in the Welcome Center is empty, Let’s fill it up

AGAIN!

Congratulations! Katie & Ben Eckermann!

We welcome Austin Thomas Eckermann, born on 3/25/12.

Page 3 Volume No. 1204

REMEMBERING IN PRAYER OUR MEMBERS,

FRIENDS/FAMILY, AND

HOMEBOUND

Vada Bockhorn,

Ann Willman,

Angie Parr,

Ben Covington,

Phil Southwick,

Paulette Widmar,

Wilma Adams,

Pat Buckta,

Valerie Creswell,

Monette Vinson,

Marie Flannery,

Ruby Ivy,

Fran Hendricks,

Dorothy Hamilton,

Alberta Otto,

Dot Harrington

The youth will be serving brunch on Easter morning between the two services. Plan on

enjoying a special breakfast! We will also be having an Easter egg hunt between services.

The youth would ask for donations of candy to fill the eggs. Please drop off any candy in

the Welcome Center in the basket! Thanks so much for supporting Lord of Life’s Youth!

CROPWALK & NOISY OFFERING COLLECTION

Lord of Life's Team - WWJ - Walking With Jesus raised a total of $502.76 for the

Austin Crop Walk! That includes $265.76 from our recent noisy offering.

Thank you to all who participated in this year's Crop Walk. 25% of this money

will stay here in Austin to help local charities. The other 75% will be going to

other countries to provide food, medical care, disaster relief, and self-help

development for needy people throughout the world. Austin Crop Walk raised

over $84,000 to fight hunger and help those in need! Praise be to God!

COOKING CLUB

Freezer meal cooking is going

great! We have been able to

provide several meals to people

in need and a few for our own

families. If you would like to

join us, our next meeting is April

28th at 10 AM at the cafe.

GAME DAY

Please mark your calendar for

April 17th. Our game day is

always scheduled for the third

Tuesday of the month. We play

different games and have great

fellowship and fun. We start at

10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Bring a sack

lunch and stay all or part of the

time.

During the month of April Get To Know Our Youth is highlighting Callie Prather! Callie is a

freshman at Leander High School. Callie and her family have been members here at Lord of

Life for the past seven years. Her favorite sport is volleyball! She belongs to

Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Callie’s favorite hobbies are shopping and running. She

volunteers for Lord of Life’s service projects and for Special Olympics. In her down time

she hangs out with her friends and watches movies. She is also a big reader! Something you

might not know is that Callie is in the top 9% of her class!! Academics are top priority for

this young lady! Her favorite restaurant is Jardin Del Ray. Next time you see Callie,

congratulate her on being a wonderful young lady!!

“WHAT IS GOD CALLING ME TO DO?”

The Stewardship Committee is pleased to announce the 2012 Annual Commitment (formerly

the Annual Pledge Drive). The Annual Commitment is the time to make your financial

commitment to God’s Kingdom from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The Annual

Commitment drive will start on April 15 and conclude on May 6. The goal of the Stewardship

Committee is to have 100% of the members turn in a commitment card by May 6.

All members will be receiving a commitment card in the mail and you can turn your card in

any time during the Annual Commitment drive. Please place it in the offering plate or you

may mail it to the church office. We will be celebrating our Commitments on May 6th with

a potluck lunch immediately following the late service. Thanks be to God!

YOUNG FAMILIES MINISTRY

A new Young Families Ministry Group is forming. This is for people with young

kids: toddlers through elementary school age. We will get together every couple of months

and have a great time! Please contact Christine Simon at christine.simon02@yahoo.com or

512-220-9969 if you are interested.

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STEPHEN MINISTRY

The program was developed by a Lutheran Minister who is

also a Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist. The program is designed

to equip the trained people with knowledge and proven

techniques to provide effective counseling and references to

available community resources.

The key feature of Stephen Ministry is COMPLETE

CONFIDENTIALITY. That is, NOTHING that is said to,

or discussed with, the Stephen Minister IS EVER

REPEATED !!! Only your Pastor and the Stephen Leader

will know that you have a Stephen Minister and they also are

sworn to the same confidentiality.

LIBRARY NOTES - April 2012

by: Donna Estes

A quote by: MOTHER TERESA

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior

motives; be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true

enemies; succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

be honest and frank anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

do good anyway…

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

it was never between you and them anyway.

THRIVENT / HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD

Come join us as we participate in the Thrivent Builds with

Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, May 12. No experience is

required; you just need to be 16 or older. Since the Build dates

are March 31 – May 19, we’ll probably be doing finishing

work like landscaping and painting. We’d love to have tons of

people there including our youth. And please invite your fam-

ily and friends to join us too. This home is being built for the

Diaz family by Austin-area Lutheran churches. Because so

many churches and crews are involved, we need to give the

folks at Thrivent a preliminary head-count in a couple weeks.

Please contact Rex Schroeder (rms7777@austin.rr.com) or

Deb Grunska (grunskad@flash.net) as soon as possible if you

can help.

HOLY OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Almost Annual Lord of Life “Holy Open” Golf

Tournament will be held on Sunday, April 29 at Avery Ranch

Golf Club. The entry fee is $55.00, which includes green fees,

cart and range balls. We will be grilling under the big tree

after the late service for golfers, friends and family, followed

by a 1:30 Shotgun Start. The sign-up sheet is in the Koinonia

Café. For more information, contact Rex Schroeder at

228-6365 or rms7777@austin.rr.com.

BBQ & BAKE SALE

It’s time to dust off our smokers!! The BBQ & Bake Sale is

set for April 21st from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sign-up sheets

are in the Café for briskets, baked goods, drinks, chips, and

much more! We would also accept cash donations to help

purchase briskets & sausages. We need several people to help

smoke the briskets. Last year we smoked 15 briskets and

grilled 150 sausages and sold all of them!!! Everyone

loves our BBQ & Baked Goods! Come join in the fun by

volunteering! There will be two shifts again this year! Any

questions, please contact Deanna Brown or Diane Saegert.

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

www.elca.org/global-links Through the benevolence we pay to the

ELCA we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is now

available on the “For Members” page of our website, so you

can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the

world for Christ.

BOOK CLUB

Tuesday, April 10th, we will begin The First Paul by Marcus

Borg and Dominic Crossan. Here is a quote from the Library

Journal:

In this scholarly and engaging account, Paul is situated

firmly in his first-century context and portrayed against the

backdrop of history as a revolutionary figure who chose the

way of Jesus as a countercultural alternative over the way of

the Roman empire. This well-researched and highly readable

account is recommended for all students of Paul as well as

interested readers.

The reading group meets every Tuesday for an hour starting

at 7:15 p.m. If you are interested in participating or just have

questions, call Olga at 255-5197

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is going strong and four people

have received these special prayer shawls and blankets.

On Sunday, March 25th, Pastor Watt blessed the completed

prayer shawls and blankets during both early and late

services. As the prayer shawls and comfort quilts are made,

the crafters pray for healing, comfort, strength and peace.

The persons who will receive the shawl or quilt will be blessed

with these prayers intertwined with materials used in making

their shawl or blanket. If you feel there is someone in your

life that has a need from this ministry, please let Pastor Watt

know. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please

contact Deb Grunksa or Deanna Brown.

Volume No. 1204 Page 5

Worship Attendance

2/5/2012 147

2/12/2012 80

2/19/2012 117

2/26/2012 126

Weekly Average 118

YTD Total 965

Weekly Average 107

Income for February: $21,113 Income YTD: $42,401

Expenses for February: $23,710 Expenses YTD: $43.847

Net Loss for February: ($2,597) Net Loss YTD: ($1,446)

Come join us for another Beth Moore Bible Study Live!

We will have carpools leaving Lord of Life each day.

July 13-14, 2012 Cost: $65.00

Cedar Park Center

2100 Avenue of the Stars

Cedar Park - Austin Area, TX 78613

Change in Meeting Schedule

Starting in April, the JSM will meet only once a month on the

3rd Monday of the month. Our first meeting on the new

schedule is on Monday, April 16. The topic is Networking –

A Key to your Job Search Success. In addition to monthly

presentation meetings, Patti will be meeting one on one with

clients upon request. Any questions, please contact Patti @

jsm@lordoflifeaustin.org .

Page 6 Life-Lines

Worship Leaders for April 2012

APRIL 1, 2012 Palm Sunday Color: Scarlet

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: John Paul Crawford

Lector/Petitioner: Chuck Neeley Communion Assistant: Nell Pennington

Acolyte: Raina Parsons Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Rex Schroeder

Wine: Mary & Roger Vaughn Bread: The Wilks Family

Altar Guild: Cindy Wilks, Chuck & Julia Neeley

Ushers: Roger Vaughn, Doug Searcy; Gary Parsons, Brad Sheehan, Tim Smith, Mike Kamensky

Tellers: Julia Neeley, Barb Haskins Flowers: Rex & Mary Schroeder, in honor of kids and grandkids.

APRIL 8, 2012 Easter Sunday Color: Gold

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Marilee Parsons

Lector/Petitioner: Chuck Neeley Communion Assistant: Mindy Penland, Shari Willenborg, Diane Smith

Acolyte: Callie Prather Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Chuck Neeley

Wine: Mary & Roger Vaughn Bread: Dee Smith

Altar Guild: Tim & Diane Smith, Brenda Searcy

Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Max Kretschmar, Mike Brown, Gib Prather, Lee Penland

Tellers: Julia Neeley, Barb Haskins Flowers: Easter lilies provided by the congregation.

APRIL 15, 2012 Second Sunday of Easter Color: White

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Rex Schroeder

Lector/Petitioner: Deb Grunska Communion Assistant: Gayle Covington

Acolyte: Avery Willenborg Media Assistant: Doug Searcy; Barry Kincart

Wine: Mary & Roger Vaughn Bread: The Sheehan Family

Altar Guild: Deanna & Lauren Brown, Jim Tarsi

Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert; Max Kretschmar, Mike Brown, Gib Prather, Lee Penland

Tellers: Julia Neeley, Barb Haskins Flowers: Rea Wiruscheske, in memory of Donald Wiruscheske.

APRIL 22, 2012 Third Sunday of Easter Color: White

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: John Paul Crawford

Lector/Petitioner: Dick Fink Communion Assistant: Nell Pennington

Acolyte: Lauren Brown Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Dick Fink

Wine: The Weston Family Bread: Dave & Erica Smith

Altar Guild: Deb Grunska, Lyn Caldwell

Ushers: Roger Vaughn, Doug Searcy; Mark & Shane Willenborg, Dustin Simpson

Tellers: Julia Neeley, Barb Haskins Flowers: John & Patti Kassel, in celebration of their anniversary.

APRIL 29, 2012 Fourth Sunday of Easter Color: White

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Mindy Penland

Lector/Petitioner: John Paul Crawford Communion Assistant: Dorothy Crawford

Acolyte: Connor Sheehan Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Lloyd Haskins

Wine: The Weston Family Bread: Mike & Pam Kamensky

Altar Guild: John & Patti Kassel, Heather Simpson, Avery Willenborg

Ushers: Roger Vaughn, Doug Searcy; Mark & Shane Willenborg, Dustin Simpson

Tellers: Julia Neeley, Barb Haskins Flowers:

Apri l 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Palm Sunday

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

2

3

10:30am

Kindred Sisters

4

7:00pm

Bells Rehearsal

7:30pm

Choir Rehearsal

5

Maundy Thur.

6:30pm

Seder Supper

6

Good Friday

7am-7pm

Prayer Vigil

7:00pm

Evening Service

7

8

EASTER

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Easter Brunch

9:30 Egg Hunt

10:45 Late Service

9

Office Closed

7:30pm

Stephen Minister

Meeting

10

11

6:30pm

Catechism Class

12

7:00pm

Church Council

Meeting

13

14

15

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

16

6:30pm

JSM Meeting

17

10:00am

Game Day

18

10:00am

Interims Gather

6:30pm

Catechism Class

6:30pm

Bells Rehearsal

7:30pm

Choir Rehearsal

19

20

Women’s Craft

Weekend at

Camp Chrysalis

(Fri-Sun)

21

7:30-1:30

Annual BBQ &

Bake Sale

22

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

23

24

25

6:30pm

Catechism Class

6:30pm

Bells Rehearsal

7:30pm

Choir Rehearsal

26

7:00pm

Committee

Meetings

27 28

10:00am

Cooking Club

29

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

12:00 Lunch Bunch

1:30 Holy Open Golf

Tournament

30

Page 7 Volume No. 1204