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Regularly we are encouraged to place ourselves into God’s hands like clay is placed into the potter’s hands. The purpose, shaping and molding that take place allow us to be designed by God and shaped for God’s purposes. This process is exactly what is envisioned for our Mission Discernment work. We commit ourselves to listening for God’s voice summoning us to new and exciting, challenging and intentional directions in which we can serve others with God’s love in Jesus. And that same process is at work as we attempt to form other groups to get people involved in living out our mission and ministry. There are three groups I would like to suggest that would be of immense help in carrying out portions of our ministry. The first group is an Education Team. This group would be responsible for overseeing the adult and children education offerings and plan for events on Sunday morning, daytime and evening classes, the possibilities of a VBS ministry and so on. The second group is the formation of a Caring Ministry Team interested in being trained and sent out to visit people in the congregation. People in this ministry will be charged with bringing communion, sharing in prayer and sharing time with our homebound folks, visitors and people in need of God’s caring presence. And the third group will be formed to plan the ELCA God’s Work. Our Hands

Sunday events on September 11, 2016. This annual event takes the congregations of the ELCA to a service in the community. What is it that we can do together to make a witness in the community on one day that we are God’s people doing God’s work, using God’s gifts and sharing God’s love? What can we say through our actions that conveys God’s work is being done by our hands? When we have people interested in pursuing these accents in ministry, then we will set a date for planning our next steps. Please call me or ther church office to let us know. How about you? Will you let the Potter work with you, shape you and “fire you up” for ministry? Will you join us in some familiar but new endeavors to

The Herald

Elim Lutheran Church, Port Orchard, WA

5911 E. Hillcrest Drive, Port Orchard, WA 98366 May 2016 Email: elimlutheran@yahoo.com www.elimlutheranportorchard.com (360) 871-0602

In the Potter’s Hands

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THE EDGE OF HUMOR

shape and broaden our impact in ministry? Allow God the room to move in your life. Join together and make some fun happen. Give us a “hand.” God’s already embracing you. Yes, Abba, Father, you are the potter and we are the clay.

Pastor Chris Nolte

Office Hours and “Contact Us” Information

Elim’s office is open from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Please

drop in anytime or make an appointment to see Pastor Chris or Katie. We look

forward to serving you. Hospitals are not calling churches to let us know that you

have been admitted. Please let the church office know if you are going to the hospital

or are ill at home. A visit and/or remembering you in prayer are ways we can respond

once we know. Thank you for your assistance. Besides Pastor Chris calling you for a

visit, when you would like to have a pastoral visit you are encouraged to call the

office. Please call Pastor Chris (360-907-4289) in an emergency or a time of need.

Your call or contact is appreciated. Pastor Chris’ email is: prnolte@gmail.com

“Worship in the Park” — Save the Date

On Sunday, July 10th, Elim will be enjoying our Sunday Worship Service in the great

outdoors at Manchester State Park. Fellowship will be a pot-luck style picnic complete

with grilled goodness and perhaps a game or two (though Pastor has already declined

to participate in the three-legged race, citing a slightly unfair disadvantage…) Stay

tuned for more information and sign-up opportunities, BUT PLEASE SAVE THE DATE

AND PLAN TO INVITE SOME FRIENDS!

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From the Council President

“The Merry Month of May” May 1,May Day is a very eventful beginning to the Month celebrated with joy and some trepi-dation. This year the Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrates Easter and for the next fifteen days till our Pentecost we proclaim, “ Christ is Risen! As one. May Day is an ancient day to celebrate spring and new life. But in these modern times some celebrate with riots and looting in the name of the people and the downtrodden workers of the world. Unite! Sigh! At Elim we celebrate a songfest and have a special congregational meeting. Come one come all.

“ Peace. Do not be Afraid,” said our Jesus, risen Savior and King. At the end of the month of May we officially break out the BBQs and celebrate the three-day weekend and official summer before its time. But remember its true meaning: to honor those who sacrificed and died before. In flags and flowers laid remember too that they are with Him who died and rose again. “Do not be afraid for they are with me.” And in between are Moth-er’s Day (8th) and Pentecost (15th) with the Coming of the Holy Spirit with whom the Church was born, mothering us God’s Children to grow in Faith and Grace, Christ in us, the Glory of God. Come one, come all to the Spaghetti Fest on Saturday the 14th. A joyful celebration of support and outreach in our community. Come one. Come all to the joyous fest each Sunday, which renews us to go forth. Come one, come all to pray on our Thursday evening prayer on the 5th, Ascension Day this year. The Day of Jesus’ Ascension was a day of Awesome experience for the disciples and then…what’s next. Given an awesome Call, but how. But by Faith they went to Jerusalem and for nine days they prayed and prepared and took care of business, and prayed and studied the word, remembered all He had taught them and prayed. The Catholic Church says it was the first Novena called for by Jesus. But they did not make it an official observance by the Church until 1897! It slowly developed as a practice from thereon, the Pentecost Novena. How the Apostles must have felt after the Ascension, like a Seaport Bay emptied of water suddenly. By faith they prayed in one accord, and prepared and waited and wondered. And then the Holy Spirit came with a roar beyond all they could image and 3,000 souls were baptized that day. Gifts to grow the fruits for each unique one and For All! At the Council Retreat we had a study on Nehemiah and how he prayed and fasted and God gave grace to go to the King and gather the people and supplies and though it was not always easy Jerusalem and its people were rebuilt, a greater and more dedicated people then ever before. Reading for May 1,2016 in” Christ in Our Home”: My Peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. John 14: 27. “ Prince of peace, fill with me your deep peace today, and help me to share it with others. Amen. “ (Pg 33)

Blessings,

Sue Anna Tucker, Council President

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Worship & Music Meeting — a monthly planning meeting is

on the first Thursday (May 5) at the new time of 11:00 AM. We

meet in the church’s library to design the congregation’s worship

life. All are welcome to join in.

Evening Prayer Service — We gather each first Thursday

which this month is on May 5 @ 7 PM. Come to the quiet! It’s a time of refreshment

of the spirit, of prayer and meditation, and of singing and listening. You are invited to

share in this time and all are welcome.

Educational Opportunities

Adult Forum on Sundays at 9 AM — concentrates on reading through the

book of the Acts of the Apostles beginning May 8. Come to read, learn and

discuss the beginning of the early Christian Church.

Children’s Education Ministry—is being offered each week on Sunday at at 9 AM

by Adele Fisher and Yoli Pardo, with a little help from their friends. The Spring Quarter

of learning in Sunday School continues with the All Together Now curriculum, pub-

lished by Group. This curriculum enables our class to remain in the same classroom, ac-

commodating ages 4-12. The spring edition focuses on Jesus and His post resurrection,

Pentecost, and through the conversion of Saul into Paul. The Christian Education

teachers are very excited to pass these wonderful Biblical events on to our stu-

dents! Pray for attendance to increase, as we would love to spread God’s truths to

more young people.

How Lutherans Interpret the Bible — A Seven Session video series with discussion

led by Pastor Chris continues May 3,10,17 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. A fresh

and clear approach to reading & using the Bible.

Text Study — Each Wed., 10 AM. Come for discussion of the texts for next Sunday.

Summer Bible Fun—Begins Wednesday, June 1. A community meal and a thematic

study come together for good fun, food and fellowship. Details will follow. Keep alert!

Our New Logo — After much creativity, designing and debate, the

council has approved a new logo image for our congregation. The cross

that adorns the front entrance is joined with hands, both symbols of

God’s providing and our readiness to serve. The image is congruent with

and flows from an understanding of our mission statement. However, an

image is only as good as the action that backs it up. Let’s get at it!

Worship & Music Notes

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Financial Update & Congregational Meeting

As of April 13, our offerings are not meeting our expenses — by $5,400 per month. At

the Congregational Meeting in late January, we discussed that our expenses for 2016

would exceed what was pledged and/or expected in offerings this year by about

$40,000 (or $3,333 per month). Through the first 3 months expenses averaged

$16,600 and income from undesignated offerings and rents averaged $11,200. The

expenses were almost entirely fixed expenses, e.g., salaries, utilities, copier), taxes and

insurance.

We ask everyone to check and make sure that they are current with their planned level

of giving. This is the time of the year when many of us are traveling or living in the

“sunny south-lands” — so some of us may have fallen behind. If you can give a little

more that will be helpful.

A Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 1st following worship, to

review our financial progress in early May. Until then, feel free to call or talk to one of

your Church Council members if you have ideas.

Poem

Sarah Linda composed this piece inspired by a sunset. She caught a glimpse of a

beautiful sunset through the opening in the curtains. So she alerted us to it and the

curtains were opened wide for us to have a mindful moment on the awesome beauty

of Creation. The other book of God as St Augustine of Hippo said.

Pull aside the curtains please

And see the setting sun

See the purple through the trees

The Royal Robe He's spun.

God has given you a mind

To prove His majesty;

You, made in His image so

That you could taste and SEE!

Taste and see that He is good

His plans are pure and true.

When you open up your heart

He'll come and sup with you.

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LWR Quilt & Kit

Sending

On Sunday, April 24, the

WELCA group at Elim

prepared 15 quilts, 11 Baby

kits and 11 health kits for the

Lutheran World Relief

shipment and bowed them up on

the following Wednesday. Each of these offerings is hand-made

and gathered by members of the congregation for people some-

where in the world. May whoever receives these wonderful

gifts be blessed! Many thanks to all who donated and crafted

these gifts: Maureen Jarrett, Pam Kemper, Sandy Bratcher, Diane

Smullen, Sarah Linda Stanley, Sue Anna Tucker, Cheri Svensson,

Margaret Kvinsland, Renate Slach, and Bonnie Dempewolf, Diane Hubert, Tony Anelli

and so many others. Thank You!

SPAGHETTI FEED

No, that’s not Chef Boy-Ar-Dee. That’s Chef Tony An-el-li

inviting you to come to Elim’s main social event of the

Spring. Dining on special meatballs and pasta is one of our

most beloved spring traditions here at Elim and the

community comes together to share in our fun. Please help

us to get the word out to friends and neighbors so that they

do not miss out! Posters can be acquired in the church office. All proceeds go to sup-

port Elim’s missions and ministry.

This year’s delectable dining experience will take place on May 14th from 4 pm to 7

pm. Prices remain the same as they have in years past: $12 for 12 and up, $6 for 6- 11

year olds, and Free for under 6. The menu includes the following (and Take-out op-

tions are available!): Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs and Sauce, Garlic bread,

Fresh Tossed Green Salad, Coffee or Tea, and DESSERT!!

Tickets may be purchased ahead of time or at the door. Please make checks out to Elim

Lutheran Church and include the word “Spaghetti” on the memo line. Be sure to get

your workouts in ahead of time as servings are always generous and leftover are nil!!

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MISSION DISCERNMENT GATHERING

Our listening and discussions have led us to the point of formulating questions that we

will be asking of neighbors, community members, friends, relatives and many others.

The questions concern: what have you noticed that needs the Church in Port Orchard?

What needs require attention? What hurts need attention and what hopes need to be

fulfilled? We are in search of what God would have us be and do in our community.

Come to share in this endeavor—all are welcome. Listen and watch for the next

meeting in the “Sunday News” or the Pester email message. We move forward to hear

God’s voice and discover our mission. You are invited to get involved.

EDUCATION & WORSHIP GATHERINGS

The SWWA Synod will be providing three all-day (10 am—5 pm) Education and

Worship Gatherings across the synod in the Spring of 2016. These gatherings are in lieu

of the annual synod assembly. Workshops, Worship and Lunch will be offered for all

rostered leaders, lay leaders and other interested congregational members. These

gatherings have the purpose of centering our lives in worship and learning with

members of other congregations and sharing our common interests in being disciples of

Jesus.

Congregational Leadership Workshops: Becoming Social Media Savvy; What Can

Lutheran Worship Look Like? ; Re-Tooling Stewardship and Fundraising ; Strengthening

Council Roles ; Treasurer and Financial Office Training and Resources ; Working with

LGBT Rostered Leaders.

Congregational Mission Workshops: Congregational Vitality and Sustainability Next

Steps ; Broadening Congregational Education Ministry / and Faith Formation ; Who

Really Are Our Neighbors? Racism, Privilege and Partnership, and Internalized Racial

Oppression ; Building Strong Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Attendance from Elim will be on the May 21st Silverdale gathering. There is a nominal

registration fee. If you are interested in attending, please speak with Pastor Chris ASAP.

There is a registration fee of $25 per person that will be paid by the congregation

should you choose to attend. More information will be available soon. Please consider

this opportunity and your attendance. Thanks!

Card Ministry Update In the first three months of 2016, 66 cards with

sentiments of encouragement, love and prayers, as well as condolences have left my

pen. Numerous congratulatory phone calls were made. I also continue one-on-one

personal visits to home-bound members and friends on behalf of Elim.

~Edith Lammermann

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Some of the guys have been

busy around the church and

other places these days. Bob

Fisher, Peter Kreidler, Burt

Jarrett and Tony Anelli

installed the wheel-

chair ramp, once at

the Rust household,

for Sarah Linda

Stanley.

Jim Svensson cuts some wood for Christie &

Myrlin Ridings’ kitchen. The lamp pole for the parking lot was

made and installed by Tony with a little help from his friend,

Ernie Hahn. Many thanks to all these and more who helped out

folks around the church and projects for the congregation.

Men’s Breakfast — Saturday, May 7 at 8:30 AM.

A favorite gathering for “dudes” in the congregation is the Men’s Breakfast held in the

Fellowship Hall. Coffee is ready for sipping at 8 AM and food is served at 8:30 AM.

Women’s Luncheon - Saturday, May 7 at Noon

All women of Elim are invited and bring family and friends too for potluck lunch, fun,

fellowship and door prizes too. The theme this month is “Celebrating Mothers.” All

are invited to work on quilts afterwards or bring projects to knit or crochet.

Mustard Seed evening Bible Study - Thursday, May 19 at 7 PM

All women are welcome to meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the

Fireside Room with the continuing “Gather Bible Study: Christianity 101/the book of

Philippians.” Refreshments provided.

...and many happy returns to these loved ones who

have birthdays in May:

Gary Tetz 5/02

Robin Kreidler 5/10

Garet Sandberg 5/10

Myrna Robinson 5/21

Adele Fisher 5/21

Dick Peterson 5/26

Katie Thomassen 5/30

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Elim Lutheran Church, ELCA 5911 East Hillcrest Drive Port Orchard, WA 98366

God’s Peace and Abiding Love to:

“Then they came to Elim...and they camped there by the water.” Exodus 15:27

Elim’s Website —

elimlutheranportorchard.com

Visit us sometime and pass it along