October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church

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October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
October 2018

                                                                    Telling the story of how we live, share and celebrate
                                                                              with all people, God’s love in Jesus Christ.

                                                        BLESSING OF THE BEASTS
                                                        Sunday, October 7, 4 pm
                                                        Lord of Life Outdoor Chapel
                                                        Rain or Shine!
                                                        Bring your pet to this joint worship service with St. Anne Episcopal
                                                        where we bless and celebrate the animals God created. In the event of
                                                        rain we will meet under the front portico.
                                                        Several shelters will also be here with adoptable pets -- bring your pet
                                                        or take one home!
                                                        If you would like to donate supplies to support a local shelter, here is
                                                        a wish list of items:
                                                            New or used Towels
                                                            Canned food for puppies/kittens
                                                            Canned food for dogs/cats
                                                            Cat and dog treats

RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, October 13, 8 am – 1 pm
Rummage Sale Donation Drop Off Begins
Next Sunday, October 7, Noon
Lord of Life Preview Night
Friday, October 12, 6 - 8 pm
Mark your calendar and start boxing up treasures to donate!
Don’t miss this sale! Great deals on gently used furniture, kid
stuff, books, kitchen goods, garden gear, sporting goods,
holiday decor, and more! How can you help?
ADVERTISE the sale. Tell your friends and neighbors about
our sale, and share our Facebook post.
DONATE. Drop off your gently used treasures beginning on Sunday, October 7 at 12:30 pm. Anyone is welcome to donate
items to the sale, but we cannot accept clothing or CRT TVs/computer monitors.
VOLUNTEER. We need people to sort and price merchandise on Sunday, October 7 and throughout the week. We also need
people to greet and direct shoppers the day of the sale.
SHOP. Come and discover the bargains. Join us on preview night and get an early start on your hunt for treasures.
Thanks for your support and love of our Youth! Want to help? Have a question? Need help transporting a large donation item?
Contact Lori Krach or Janette Metzger, seniorhigh@lol-lutheran.com   .
October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
From the time I had graduated college until the time I started
                                       seminary, if you had asked me if I were interested in going
                                       back to school, I would have just laughed at you. I’m not
                                       sure where and when the disconnect happened but there was
                                       a time somewhere in junior high school where I checked out.
                                       The model of lecture based classroom instruction just did not
                                       appeal to me any longer. I worked just hard enough to get
                                                                                                         A LIFETIME
                                       good grades, calculating the exact grade I needed on a final
                                       exam to get an “A” in the class and then only studying hard
                                                                                                            OF
                                       enough to hit that mark on the test.
                                                                                                         LEARNING
                                         In high school I latched onto theater classes because it gave
                                         me a chance to learn through experience. I had never had a
                                         class before that allowed me to learn on my feet and truly
                                         experience education in an embodied way. I poured all of
                                         my time into the theatrical community and eventually
    decided that my calling was to be a professional actor. I was accepted into Wright State
    University’s prestigious acting program and attended there for a year. I realized during that year
    that while I really did enjoy acting, it was not my ultimate calling. I was more attracted to the
    experiential nature of theater than the actual process of memorizing scripts and constant
    auditioning.
    Over time, I realized that ministry was my ultimate calling, but the idea of going to seminary
    was terrifying. I did not want to go back into the lecture-based classroom for three or more
    years. The idea of two years in the classroom and a two-year internship is what drew me to
    Trinity Lutheran Seminary’s Master of Divinity program. I figured I could power through the
    two years of classes in order to engage in the learning that most appealed to me, the
    experiential learning of an internship.
    A lifetime of learning is important! When we stop learning we stop growing, we stop
    flourishing, we accept the status-quo, we allow others to shape us in ways we might not even
    realize. As this new year of programming begins at Lord of Life I encourage you to find the
    ways that you can grow in faith. It might be a lecture-based class at an online seminary, it
    might be a pastor-led Bible study, it might be a women’s Bible study, it might be serving as a
    Sunday School volunteer, it might be becoming a Stephen Minister, it might be serving as a
    Ministry Area Coordinator (MAC), or any number of possibilities. Find the style of learning that
    engages you and plug into it. Embrace the gifts that the Holy Spirit has empowered you with
    and grow personally, grow communally, and grow in your relationship with God.
    Still learning,

    Corey Wagonfield

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October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
DISCOVER LORD OF LIFE                  COUNCIL NOMINATIONS
                                  New Member Conversation                Are you feeling a nudge to step deeper into leadership at Lord
                                  Saturday, October 27                   of Life? Consider working with a terrific team of people.
                                  8:30 am - 1 pm                         There are several council positions on the ballot this
                                                                         November: Vice President, Treasurer, and three At-Large. If
                                   Are you searching for a place to
                                                                         you are interested, or know someone who would be an asset
                                   put down spiritual roots? Are you
                                                                         to the team, contact Kara. Nominations must be turned in by
                                   looking for a church home? Are
                                                                         Sunday, October 28.
                                   you interested in learning more
                                   about the mission and ministries of   Kara Sagedal, treasurer@lol-lutheran.com
                                   Lord of Life? You are invited to
                                   join us for a new member
     conversation as we get to know one another and have a chance
     to learn more about the Christian faith and specifically about
     life together here at Lord of Life. We’ll end with a light lunch                     MARK YOUR CALENDAR
     served at the noon hour.
     Childcare is available upon request.                                                COUNCIL ELECTION AND
     RSVP to the church office (office@lol-lutheran.com) by
     Wednesday, October 24.                                                                  BUDGET APPROVAL
     Rick Ponton and Melissa Stidham
     evangelism@lol-lutheran.com                                                         SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11
                                                                                                 ALL SERVICES

                                     STEPHEN MINISTRY
                                     I first became aware of Stephen Ministry several years ago at another church. The program didn’t
                                     get off the ground but I knew that it was something I wanted to do. When the program was
                                     getting started at Lord of Life, I volunteered to take the training even before I became a
                                     member. I have been visiting a resident in an assisted living facility weekly, since February. We
                                     have established a good relationship that has been a blessing to both of us. Her face lights up
                                     when I walk in which in turn makes me feel good. I know that she appreciates my visits and feel
                                     that I am making a difference in her life, just by being a visitor she can count on seeing each
                                     week.
                                        As Stephen Ministers, we meet twice a month as a group to talk about our various
                                        assignments. The people we meet with are referred to as our care receivers but never by their
                                        name. We are able to support and encourage each other and offer suggestions that may be
                                        considered for a particular situation for the Stephen Minister who is assigned. Currently I am the
                                        only person who has a care receiver in an assisted living facility. Stephen Ministers also support
                                        people who have a
     variety of stressful situations in their lives or people
     who just need someone to talk to, someone who isn’t                Would you benefit from a Stephen Minister?
     there to judge or fix things but rather support the care           Almost anyone can benefit from having someone to listen to
     receiver as they work to find answers on their own. It is          what is on their heart. A few examples of struggles that a
     a rewarding program for all concerned.                             Stephen Minister can walk alongside you through are: grief,
                                                                     divorce, illness, job loss, loss of a home, military deployment,
                                                                     loneliness, or spiritual crisis. If you would like more information
                                                                     about receiving care for yourself or a loved one, please let us
                                           Aleen Miller              know.
                                                                     If you would like to explore being a care giver, please contact us.
                                                                     Ava Fiebig, stephenministry@lol-lutheran.com

Lifeline                                                                                                                                     Page 3
October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Choirs and music might be the last things you would associate with the concept of
                   justice. You show up, you sing, you try to make pretty music, and you go home. It’s
                   a good evening if that’s something you love to do. But it is so much more than that.
                   At least the way we do it here at Lord of Life, an ensemble that makes music
         JUSTICE   together is like a microcosm of God’s kingdom of justice and peace.
                   Whether we’re talking about choir, the praise band, youth band, children’s choir,
         FOR THE   hand bells, or the multitude of musicians who offer their talents on special
                   occasions, each person has an important part to play. The whole group is made
          CHOIR    better because of the talents and commitment each individual brings to the table.
                   The diversity of the gifts and backgrounds of our musicians adds a richness and spirit
                   to our ensembles that wouldn’t be there if everybody had the same education and
                   grew up in the same neighborhood. And truly anyone can have a role – if someone
                   wants to sing but has never sung before, they lean on the other singers to learn to
                   match pitch, to blend their vowels, and to sing at the right time. And we all lovingly
                   help them along without judging them.
                   All of these thoughts about music as an example of justice and equality were
                   swirling through my head when I was downtown for Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest last
                   weekend. The threat of rain kept the largest part of the crowd away, but there were
                   still several bands with fun music, stalwart wearers of lederhosen and feathered hats,
                   and of course all the beer and German food you could possibly want. Operating in
                   the midst of everyone, but going almost unnoticed, were the employees busily
                   dragging around and emptying the large trash bins.
                   As I sat down to eat my $6 sauerkraut balls, I casually thought, “you couldn’t pay
                   me enough to be one of those employees.” And it hit me right away just how much
                   there was to unpack in that simple thought. If “you couldn’t pay me enough” to do
                   that job, what is the right price for the job? The woman who caught my attention
                   was pushing a can in front of her and pulling another behind her. She was certainly
                   working hard and the work didn’t stop – there was always more garbage. I’m almost
                   certain what she was being paid was not what I would have considered “enough”.
                   Hard work wasn’t enough to make the job more valuable. Even if she was going out
                   of her way to be a good employee, the best she could hope is that some manager
                   noticed her and gave her a tiny raise at the end of the year.
                   If we aren’t willing to pay more for jobs that we wouldn’t do ourselves, what does
                   that say about what we think of the people we expect to do them? Have we placed
                   such a low value on certain people that it doesn’t bother us to pay them so little to
                   do jobs we don’t want to do? I used my privilege and hard work to go to college so I
                   could make a wage without doing a job I wouldn’t be happy doing. For some
                   people, no matter how hard they work, they aren’t going to be able to afford a
                   degree. Or other circumstances might prevent them from being able to go to school.
                   Those doesn’t make the work they do less difficult or less valuable.
                   We certainly can’t change the way the economy works overnight. But we can be
                   conscious of how we think about and treat people who are doing those jobs we
                   don’t want to do ourselves. They are contributing to the fabric of society just like the
                   rest of us are.

                   John Johns

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October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
ADULT LEARNING
                                                                         Women at the Well
                                                                         First Monday of the Month
                                                                         Begins November 5
                                                                         Cindy Clay’s home
                                                                         It’s back! Join in as the group reunites and welcomes back old
                                                                         friends and welcomes new members. They will be reading Box
                                                                         of Butterflies by Roma Downey as a group at each meeting
                                                                         and discussing how it applies to the Bible and our lives today.
                                                                         Cindy Clay, womenatthewell@lol-lutheran.com

                                                                         Men’s Bible Study
     ALTAR FLOWERS                                                       1st & 3rd Mondays of each month
     October 7        Given by the Piontek family in memory of           7 - 9 pm, George Bryans’ home
                      Ron’s father, Siegfried Piontek                    Begins October 1 with Oktoberfest at Gruver’s Barn
     October 14       Given by the Bohorfoush family in honor of         Join us! The men's Bible study will start the year off with an
                      Amy and Julie’s birthdays                          Oktoberfest celebration to welcome newcomers and welcome
     October 21       Given by Nancy Fries                               back old friends. BYOB and a chair. Can't make it October 1?
                                                                         No problem. Come as you are able.
     October 28       Given in honor of Chrystopher Weisbrod’s
                      11th birthday                                      George Bryans, mensbiblestudy@lol-lutheran.com
     Do you have a special day you’d like to commemorate? How
     about someone you’d like to honor or remember? You can sign
                                                                         Couples’ Bible Study
     up to provide altar flowers and have that event or person noted     1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month
     in the weekly announcements. The Flower Chart is on the             7 - 8 pm in the church library
     Worship bulletin board in the hallway between the nursery and       Begins October 2
     rest rooms, or you can email Cara in the office. More than one
     individual can sign up for the same day. Cost is a $35              Traveling through life with a partner? Grab your better half and
     donation. All monies go toward purchasing and sustaining            settle in for some meaningful, Christ-centered learning,
     fresh flowers for our worship space.                                laughing, and talking.

     Cara Hasselbeck, office@lol-lutheran.com                            Deanne Dalhart, couplesbiblestudy@lol-lutheran.com

                                                                         Thursday Morning Bible Study
                                                                         9:45 am, in the Library
                                                                         Join us this fall for a study on 1 Samuel.
                                                                         Lisa Bacu, adultbiblestudy@lol-lutheran.com
     BIBLE PRESENTATION
     Congratulations to the following students who received their        Adult Sunday School
     Bibles on Sunday, September 23.
                                                                         9:30am, in the Library
           Madysen Archer              Peri Metzger                      Come on Sunday morning and join the discussion on What’s
           Kael Cox                    Ella Payne                        The Difference?: A look at Christian Denominations.
           Isabella Horn               Joshua Schleibaum
                                                                         Pastor Ed Williams, adultsundayschool@lol-lutheran.com
     At Lord of Life, we provide each student with a Bible, fulfilling
     the promises made at baptism to place in our children’s hands
     the Holy Scriptures. We believe the age for each child to
     receive their new Bible is a decision best made by the parents,
     but generally view the 3rd grade as an appropriate age for
     opening their minds to the more complex passages and stories
     not found in a Story Bible.

Lifeline                                                                                                                               Page 5
October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
    FAMILY PROMISE
    Next host date October 14 - 21
    Family Promise, addresses the needs of families experiencing
    homelessness by providing shelter, meals, and support services. As a
    host congregation, Lord of Life will transform into a home for a
    week, providing meals, shelter, and hospitality. It takes many
    volunteers to make our host week a success, with opportunities to
    serve taking place before, during, and after our host week. You can
    sign up to be a part of this transformational ministry on the Family Promise board in the church gathering area, or online at
    www.tinyurl.com/LOLFP10-18.
    Michelle Payne, familypromise@lol-lutheran.com

    Family Promise 2nd Birthday Party and Founder Presentation
    Lord of Life was the site of a very special celebration, as Family Promise of Butler County celebrated two years of helping
    families. The party featured a special guest speaker, Karen Olson, founder of the Family Promise parent organization. She shared
    some of the rich history of Family Promise, which began 30 years ago in New Jersey and has grown to over 200 affiliates
    throughout the United States. Guests included current and former Family Promise participants, volunteers, and organizers.

    LORD OF LIFE VIDEO
    Recently, our seminary intern, Corey
    Wagonfield, started an online class that is
    part of his continuing theological
    education. As a way of introducing our
    congregation to his classmates, he was
    asked to make a short video with a virtual
    tour of our space and ministries. Instead of
    just recording a walk around our building,
    he decided to get creative and blast
    through some of the ministries in which we
    share. Visit the Lord of Life Facebook page
    to check out the video.

Page 6                                                                                                                         October 2018
October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
SO MANY WAYS TO SERVE
                                                                         Fall is a great time to jump into ministry! Are you feeling the
                                                                         nudge to get more involved? There are so many ways to
                                                                         serve, from worship assistants and building projects to
                                                                         ministry area coordinators (MACs). We have service
                                                                         opportunities with varied time commitments and skill
                                                                         requirements, including roles with no previous skills
                                                                         required!
                                                                         If you are curious about a particular ministry area, would like
                                                                         to hear about existing opportunities, or would like to talk
                                                                         about an idea you have, feel free to reach out to the staff,
                                                                         council, or the ministry area coordinators. You can find a
                                                                         complete list on the back of the Lifeline, or at
                                                                         www.lol-lutheran.com.
     COMMUNITY GARDEN                                                    Cara Hasselbeck, vicepresident@lol-lutheran.com
     Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 9 am
     weather permitting
     Help stock local food banks by tending our community
     garden. If you would like to learn about gardening or you are
     a gardener. we can use your help. Garden helpers plant,
     water, weed, harvest and deliver the vegetables to Faith
     Alliance Food Pantry and Haven House Homeless Shelter in            CALLING ALL QUILTERS!
     Hamilton. You can sign up on the Outreach Bulletin Board,
                                                                         The quilting ministry creates beautiful blankets for local
     email your information to Jennie, or just come as you are
                                                                         charities and baptismal blankets for our little ones. They are
     able. There are always weeds to pull!
                                                                         looking for additional hands to help cut, sew, and knot
     Our tremendous gardening team has harvested over 2,000              quilts! Experienced quilters and those who have never sewn
     pounds of produce to date this season.                              are all welcome! If you want to learn more, or are ready to
     Jennie Gruber, garden@lol-lutheran.com                              jump in, let us know. The quilting team will be setting a new
                                                                         meeting schedule based on the availability of those who are
      STEPPING FORWARD                                                   interested.

      Tuesday, October 23                                                Ann Popoff, quilting@lol-lutheran.com
      5:30 pm
      Faith United
                                                                           Outreach Team Meeting
      Methodist Church
                                                                           Monday, October 22, 7 pm
      Come and help us prep and
      serve a hot meal for our                                             Senior High Room
      neighbors in need. Stepping                                          All are welcome. Come and share your ideas or learn
      Forward, a ministry of the                                           how you can step into our existing programs.
      Faith Alliance, is a weekly
                                                                           Doug and Kathryn Gruver, outreach@lol-lutheran.com
      community meal and
      enrichment opportunity that
      equips low-income families
      with the skills, knowledge,
      and nourishment they need to take the next step forward in
      life. Hosted at Faith Community Methodist Church, West
      Chester, Lord of Life takes our turn the fourth Tuesday of each
      month. We need your help feeding our neighbors.
      All you need are willing hands and a willing heart: all ages and
      abilities are welcome to serve.
      Kathy Calihan, steppingforward@lol-lutheran.com

Lifeline                                                                                                                                   Page 7
October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS.
    Each year, the ELCA has a day of service to kick off the
    school year. It is an opportunity for us to be the Church in
    the community as we serve and love on our neighbors and
    demonstrate God’s love among us and through us. On
    Sunday, September 9, we created gift baskets and delivered
    them to our local police and fire stations, and painted an
    apartment at Haven House homeless shelter.

    Union Elementary Day of Service
    Sunday, October 7, Noon - 2 pm
    Bring the whole family and join us at Union Elementary to
    mulch, trim, and maintain the playground. This work was
    originally planned as part of the original day of service, but
    was rained out.

Page 8                                                               October 2018
October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
On Sunday, September 9, over three dozen youth and
                                   adults from Lord of Life and our partner Latino
                                   congregation, Vida Eterna Iglesia Luterana (VEIL),
                                   participated in an exciting day of service called “Gods
                                   Work. Our Hands.” Presiding Bishop of the ELCA
                                   Elizabeth Eaton says, “This day is an opportunity to
                                   celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran
                                                                                             GOD’S WORK
                                   Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to
                                   serve and love our neighbor.”
                                   At Lord of Life, we had three projects ready to go:
                                   Police and Fire visits, Union Elementary
                                   beautification, and interior painting at Haven
                                   House family shelter. Because of the
                                   unrelenting rain, we delayed the outdoor
                                   projects at Union Elementary. See the
    reschedule information on the opposite page.
    One group decorated cardboard boxes with colorful paper and then stuffed
    them full of dinner fixings, snacks, “Live Generously” T-shirts, and
    homemade cards, before wrapping them up and heading out to deliver the
    care packages to the West Chester Police Department and five of our West
    Chester Fire Stations. One of our people, upon greeting the fire personnel,
    said, “Thank you for all you do to protect and serve our community. We
    know that it means time away from your families.”
    Our other group descended upon downtown Hamilton in order to serve at
    Haven House, a shelter for families that are experiencing homelessness. In
    just a few short hours, twenty-one of us were able to paint from floor to
    ceiling almost all of a five bedroom apartment that is used as gathering and
    play space for these families in transition. One worker mentioned, “Laughter,
    music, and stories were shared as we bonded through service with our larger
    community.”
    While we didn’t get to meet the families that were currently staying at Haven
    House, we hope that this newly painted commons area will bring them joy
    and show them Christ's love. Jesse at Haven House said, “It looks great! We
    appreciate everything you all did.”
    Other congregations in the area tied quilts, assembled care bags, served hot
    meals, worked in gardens, planted flowers, picked up litter, and a whole
    bunch of other fantastic and life-giving opportunities. If you missed it, don’t
    worry. There will be plenty of other opportunities for you to serve. Not only
    will we have other organized moments of serving together, but our hands,
    feet, hearts, and minds are part of God‘s redemptive work every day. It’s who
    we are created to be! It was great to be part of an event in unity with our fellow
    Lutherans as an extension of all the great things we’re always doing at Lord of Life.
    We are part of God’s work in this place. Our hands, words, actions, prayers, and lives
    all point to the One Jesus Christ who came to give us abundant life and teach us how
    to love and serve all people!
    With gratitude,

    Pastor Lowell

Lifeline                                                                                                  Page 9
October 2018 - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
VEIL HALLOWEEN FIESTA
                                                               AND FUNDRAISER FOR
                                                            ELCA YOUTH GATHERING
                                                                    Saturday, October 27
                                                               Lord of Life Fellowship Hall

              AFTERNOON FIESTA                                                        TEEN FIESTA
                    4 - 6 pm                                                             7 - 9 pm
            for ages infants - grade 5                                              for grades 6 - 12
                                                                              Youth in grades 6 through 12 are
          Join us for games, prizes and treats!                              invited to an evening of scary fun,
                                                                                      prizes and treats!

                                                                    SUPPORT VEIL
                                                                    VEIL has an ongoing need for:
                                                                             Thin Feminine pads, Overnight and Regular
                                                                             Plastic Tampons
                                                                             Baby Wipes
                                                                             Size 6 Diapers
                                                                    If you shop at Kroger, you can sign up with their Community
                                                                    Rewards program and choose VEIL
                                                                    (Vida Eterna-Iglesia Luterana) as the group you would like to
                                                                    support. The VEIL Kroger code is YG489. A percentage of all
                                                                    you spend at Kroger is given to this mission church.

    VEIL MUSICIAN NEEDED
    VEIL is looking for a musician to accompany worship services.
    This part-time, paid position works up to 2 hours per week.
    Piano or guitar players preferred, and no Spanish speaking is
    required. Interested parties should contact Pastora Carmen at
    veil2010@ymail.com.

Page 10                                                                                                                    October 2018
SENIOR HIGH
     Fellowship
                                                                          CRAFTING FELLOWSHIP
     Sundays, 6 - 7:30 pm
                                                                          1st and 3rd Thursdays, in the Fellowship Hall
     in the Senior High Room
                                                                          Handcrafters of all ages, abilities, and interests are welcome
     Faith Learning                                                       to come for fellowship, encouragement, and tips. Watch
                                                                          the announcements for details on start date and time, as
     Sundays, 9:30 - 10:30 am
                                                                          well as group projects.
     in the Senior High Room
                                                                          Teresa Schleibaum, tschleibaum@gmail.com
     The goal of our Senior High youth program is to help our
     youth grow in faith by teaching them how to apply Faith in
     Action as disciples of Christ, while they become more
     independent and experience new challenges in life. We will
     explore practical ideas to develop long-term faith. The group
     meets each week on Sunday evenings for fun and fellowship.
     It is our goal to help create a community where teens are
     valued and free from the fear of peer pressure and rejection.
     We also provide opportunities to recognize and respond to the
     gifts God has blessed them with through service opportunities
     in many different ministry areas of our congregation, the
     larger Church and world communities.
     Lori Krach, Janette Metzger, & Tera Michelson
     seniorhigh@lol-lutheran.com

                                                                          FALL FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
                                                                          Pumpkin Patch
                                                                          NEW Schappacher Farm
           HELP WANTED!
                                                                          3068 State Route 73, Wilmington
           Child Care Provider/Nursery Coordinator
                                                                          Sunday, October 21, 2 pm
           Lord of Life is looking for a Child Care Provider &
           Nursery Coordinator. This part-time position works up to       Join us at the new farm for some informal family fun. Free
           5 hours per week. A High School Diploma or GED is              hay ride, free corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkin, and fall
           required. Experience in Early Child Education/Child Care       décor. Word has it that Timmy the Train is ready to go too
           is preferred. A detailed job description is available on our   for an additional cost. Stay as long as your family is having
           website. Interested parties should send a cover letter,        fun.
           resume and references to staffsupport@lol-lutheran.com.        Lisa Bacu, youth@lol-lutheran.com

Lifeline                                                                                                                             Page 11
NEXT STEPS
                                                 Thank you for your support and prayers as we launched the Share the Light
                                                 campaign at Lord of Life. With a strong start under our belts, it’s time to get to
                                                 work. Planning for projects of this size will take time and many hearts and
                                                 minds. As of the latest report, this community has raised over $221,000 of the
                                                 $1.1 million goal, with over $900,00 pledged! Thank you for your faithfulness
                                                 and generosity in support of God’s mission here.
                                                 As we move into autumn, our next step in this exciting journey will be to
                                                 assemble two teams that will make plans and continue our forward momentum.
    Building Expansion Town Hall                 These teams will partner with other Share the Light leadership and the Council
    Sunday, September 30                         as we move forward.
    Noon - 1 pm, Light Refreshments                     DESIGN TEAM: This group will be charged with taking our
                                                        vision and creating effective solutions to meet our building
    Join us for conversation as we discuss our          needs and design the most effective use of the spaces we are
    first steps in moving forward with the              building and renovating.
    Share the Light building expansion. Share
    the Light leadership and council members             GUIDANCE TEAM: This group will take charge of the details,
    will be available to answer questions and            such as managing contracts, keeping the project on schedule
    outline our next steps.                              and budget, completing the quoting process, and following
                                                         through with the progress.
    Pastor Lowell, pastorlowell@lol-
    lutheran.com                                 Progress reporting and updates on gifts towards the Share the Light campaign
                                                 will be sent quarterly to the community by the Connections Team. Questions
                                                 are always welcome as we journey towards our future.
    Quarterly Giving Report
                                                 The teams will begin meeting within the first two weeks of October, following
    Thank you for your continued generosity
                                                 the September 30 Town Hall where questions and discussion regarding the
    for the Share the Light campaign. Look for
                                                 campaign are encouraged. If you are interested in being part of leadership for
    the quarterly giving report from the
                                                 these next steps, please be in touch with Pastor Lowell.
    Connection Team, coming soon. This will
    report on donations since the First Fruits   If you would like more information, stop by the Share the Light bulletin board
    Offering through September.                  in the church gathering area and pick up a campaign brochure. If you haven’t
                                                 made a pledge to the campaign, yet, now is the time to step in and help us
                                                 Share the Light. Pledge cards are available in the church gathering area.
                     “Lord,                      We look forward to our journey together!
                                                 In hope and peace,
                what do you
                 want to do
                                                 Nicole Mulloy        Molly Keith
               through me?”                      Share the Light Connections Team
                                                 connectionsteam@lol-lutheran.com

                                                                                            STEWARDSHIP
                                                                                            Our lives are full of growing
                                                                                            moments: We grow when learn
                                                                                            something new. We grow when we
                                                                                            take a risk. We grow when we reach
                                                                                            out a hand to help. Growing is part
                                                                                            of our lives of faith, too. Throughout
                                                                                            the month of October, we will share
                                                                                            with you how we continue to grow
                                                                                            and invite you to grow with us.
                                                                                            stewardship@lol-lutheran.com

Page 12                                                                                                                     October 2018
RECOVERY GROUPS
     ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
     Sundays, 7:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall
     child care provided
     aa@lol-lutheran.com

     AL-ANON
     Sundays, 7:30 pm, in the Library
     child care provided
     al-anon@lol-lutheran.com

     OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
     Mondays, 7 pm, in the Library
     oa@lol-lutheran.com

     HOPE
     2nd Tuesdays, 7 pm, in the Library
     HOPE (Hands Offering Prayerful Encouragement) is a Christian
     support group for family and friends of those living with mental
     illness.
     hope@lol-lutheran.com

                                                          IN OUR PRAYERS
     for health and healing

     Will Noll                         Dita Donner                      Melodie Yeager       Carrie Dryer
     Bill Kley                         Valerie Chapel                   Naomi Ashley         Tricia Clark
     Katherine Lovell                  Meredith Ahlberg                 Sara Brunner         Tammy Jones
     Jonathan Schriber                 Cathy Gebert                     The Keester Family   Jacqui and Ken Roell
     Susan Bergin                      Triston Phillips                 Paula Jennings       Phil Panning
     Fred Sieg                         Vilja Thompson                   Barb Chandler        Mackenzie Hyde
     Faye Ewing                        Paula Heinecke                   Janet Meyer          Wanda Melford

     For those who protect and serve
     Sean Young
     Maggie Clem

     For newborns and their families
     Liam Smith, grandson of Jenny Smith

     For those who grieve, the friends and family of
     Eldene Mericle, aunt of Jeanne Doan
     Gabriella Rodriguez, former student of Maria Ripley
     Marlene Kruse, friend of Rosemary Kautz
     Ellie Weik, daughter of Tam Weik and sister of Laura Weik
     Violet Whitmore, grandmother of Julie Comatas and Angie Kovacs
     Joshua Mortonstrauss, friend of the Ripley family
     Keith Friend, cousin of Cindy Campbell
     Sandy Wiesman, friend of Nancy Fries

     To make a prayer request please contact: prayerchain@lol-lutheran.com, 513.777.8449.

Lifeline                                                                                                            Page 13
Wow, what a great start to the school year!! We have almost 100
    children and they are settling in very nicely. They are learning their
    ABCs, 123s, loving God, and loving each other! We had our first
    chapel time with Pastor Lowell and he talked about creation and all
    the amazing things God made.
    There are many events coming up in October, including picture day,
    farm field trips, guest speakers, pumpkin carving with dad, and
    halloween parties. So much fun at LOLCP!
    Part of a Back to School Prayer:
          I know that each child is handpicked for me. You are not a God
          of mistakes. You always have a purpose and a plan. Help me to
          see each child as a gift; a seed ready to be planted, watered and
          bloom. Pour into me words of wisdom , the right things to say
          and teach, in order for each child to grow into the beautiful
          flower they are meant to be.
          You are the Almighty Teacher and whatever comes my way is
          Your plan. Please grant me the love, wisdom, joy and peace to
          do Your work.

    Paula Drake
    preschool@lol-lutheran.com

Page 14                                                                       October 2018
Kids have many questions. If you have ever eaten at a restaurant,
                                    explored the woods on a nature hike, gawked at the zoo, rested in a
                                    restroom, created a craft, read a book, listened to music, fixed dinner,
                                    mowed the lawn, meandered on the beach, pumped gas, or attempted
                                    to take a nap in the vicinity of a precious little one, you know what I’m
                                    saying. The endless barrage of who, what, when, where and why keeps
                                    you on your toes and can wear you down to the bone.
                                                                                                                  Q&A
                                    Kids are looking for answers to all of life’s problems, puzzles, and
                                    happenings. They are on the hunt. Big or small, they need to know.
                                    Thankfully, they are bold enough to ask and ask and ask. Their
                                    impassioned seeking fuels their quest for answers. If you try to ignore
                                    them, they’ll continue asking, seeking, and knocking until you finally
                                    cannot bear the interruption any longer.
                                       Maybe one of the reasons that Jesus enjoyed time with children was
    because they weren’t afraid to open their mouths and say whatever they were thinking. Their brutal
    honesty mingled the obscene and absurd in the same breath. They didn’t have the capability to turn on
    their interior editor and filter or correct their honest speech before it came spewing forth.
    A few years ago, Elizabeth Blair wrote a fascinating piece, Beyond Books: Libraries Lend Fishing Poles,
    Pans and People. Leading with the question, “What's the point of a library in the digital age?”, Blair
    reveals the creative ways that many libraries are expanding their resources by making sporting
    equipment, tools and even people available for check out.
    “‘Libraries that are loaning out people often refer to them as ‘human
    books.’ Sometimes they even … give them catalog numbers …
    Public librarians have contact with all walks of life,’ says Amy Greer,
    who coordinated a Human Library event at the Providence
    Community Library in Rhode Island. ‘So we created an application,
    and we approached people we see every day.’”
    “They came up with a collection of 40 human books. Among the
    stories, says Greer, ‘Refugee ... woman with a face deformity ... ex-
    felon.’ Over 200 people browsed the catalog and checked out books.
    ‘Then they would go and sit down with that person for 20 minutes
    for a one-on-one conversation ... And they would just have a
    dialogue,’ says Greer.” You can read the whole article here:
    www.npr.org/2013/08/13/211697593/beyond-books-libraries-lend-
    fishing-poles-pans-and-people.
    What a tremendous opportunity to engage a spectrum of stories and people. This process of lifelong
    learning leads to greater knowledge, as well as a deeper understanding of those with whom we live.
    We don’t need to shy away from wonder and discovery. We stand in a long line of Christians who are
    not afraid to ask questions and wrestle with difficult issues, seek Scripture for hope and inspiration, and
    knock on the doors of heaven over and over with our prayers for guidance and peace.
    In all of this, we trust that God is pursing us and inviting us to continue learning about the love and
    mission of God. What does God ask of us? Where is God seeking us and calling us? Where in our
    hearts and minds is God knocking, hoping that doors and opportunities will become open and available
    for God’s purpose?
    I pray that the Spirit helps us revert to our childhood curiosities. Together, let’s spend the year asking
    questions. Who is God calling us to be? Where are we willing to follow Jesus? How can God use us to
    bring hope and dignity to all people?
    Our asking will push us into new territories where we’ll have the opportunities to seek a broader
    picture, listen to other voices, and search for God’s presence in our lives and in the world.
    Still filled with wonder and awe,

    Pastor Lowell

Lifeline                                                                                                                Page 15
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH
    6329 Tylersville Road West Chester, Ohio 45069
           www.lol-lutheran.com | 513.777.8449
        www.facebook.com/LordofLifeWestChester

                                         Lord of Life Contact Information
Staff                                                                                           Ministry Area Coordinators
Pastor:                Lowell Michelson                    Worship Schedule                     Adult Learning: Becky Mastalerz
                       pastorlowell@lol-lutheran.com                                                            LaVonda Moore
                                                           Traditional       8 am
                                                           Contemporary 9:30 and 11 am          Care:           Ava Fiebig
Office Administrator: Cara Hasselbeck                                                           Evangelism:     Rick Ponton
                       office@lol-lutheran.com             Nursery is open at all services.                     Melissa Stidham
                                                           VEIL Bilingual Service               Fellowship:
Music Director:        John Johns                                                               Outreach:       Doug Gruver
                       musicdirector@lol-lutheran.com      Most Sundays 4 pm
                                                                                                                Kathy Gruver
Seminary Intern:       Corey Wagonfield                    Church Office Hours:                 Property:       Lori Krach
                       intern@lol-lutheran.com                                                  Stewardship:
                                                           Monday-Thursday 8 am - 1:30 pm
                                                                                                Worship:        Deanne Dalhart
                                                           Friday          8 am - noon
Preschool Director: Paula Drake                                                                                 Lois Hills
                       preschool@lol-lutheran.com                                               Youth:          Lisa Bacu
                                                           Church Council                                       Danielle Beneteau
Financial Manager:     Donna Harvey                        President:      Vasanthi Chalasani
                       financialmanager@lol-lutheran.com
                                                           Vice-President: Cara Hasselbeck
                                                           Secretary:      Teresa Schleibaum    VEIL Latino Ministry
Financial Secretary: Tyler Keith
                       contributions@lol-lutheran.com      Treasurer:      Kara Sagedal         Pastora Carmen Colón-Brown
                                                           At-Large:       Susan Clem           veil2010@ymail.com

Custodian:             Lori Krach                                          Tad Metzger
                       custodian@lol-lutheran.com                          Nicole Mulloy
                                                                           Dave Payne
                                                                           Tam Weik
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