+ THE
MESSENGER +
Rev. Norman Stoppenhagen, Pastor
Ramon Contreras, Vicar of Spanish Ministry
Rhonda Memmer, Minister of Music
Phone (562) 923-1215; Fax (562) 923-9211
Sunday Worship 8:00 &
11:00 A.M., Spanish Worship 9:30 A.M., Christian Education 9:30 A.M.
A Newsletter for the Parish Family and Friends of MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH,
10711 PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD, DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 90241
Volume 41. Number 5, May
28, 2004
We like
our temperature moderate…
Brownsville, Texas, reported a temperature of 102
degrees last Tuesday, and it is only May. After the hot spell we had about
three weeks ago, we can identify with the people suffering from the heat in
southern Texas. For the most part, we like our temperature moderate in southern
California. We have even come to expect it.
Many
people also like their spiritual life to be of moderate temperature. They
believe that they are good Christians but don’t get too excited about their God
or their church. They will say things like:
“The
differences between religions are just differences of opinions among believers
that really do not matter.” “I am a good Christian, but I do not usually bring
my faith into the workplace.” “I go to church as often as my schedule allows,
and that’s all that God expects of me.” “If we are in love, then God
understands if we make love before we are married.”
People who make such statements may believe in Jesus
and what He did for them. They are just not moved enough to respond to Him with
obedience to His will or to live a moral life that will give glory to His name.
They do not believe enough to stand up for Him in public.
They would be surprised to hear that God respects
those who are against Him more than he does those who half-heartedly follow
Him. They are members of the church of Laodicea in the Book of Revelations
whose deeds are neither hot nor cold. Jesus says to them, “Because you are
lukewarm---neither hot nor cold---I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation
3:15).”
You have heard it said that the people of today do
not like commitment, and the Lord indicates that is deadly for Christians. Jesus cannot be one of our priorities;
He must be our primary priority.
We do not have a very committed faith if it does not
motivate us to get to church on the Sabbath to worship Him or to serve Him with
our whole lives. We do not show a strong commitment to, or a deep faith in,
Jesus if we give Him the leftovers instead of the firstfruits of our time,
talent, energy, and money, right off the top. If we are not for Christ, then we
are against Him. There is no middle ground.
As
we approach the Festival of Pentecost, we are reminded that our heavenly
Father, who knows how to give us good gifts, is most willing to give us the
Holy Spirit when we ask. When was the last time we asked for a rich measure of
the Holy Spirit to revive our faith?
He
can make us faithful to God, who has always been faithful to us. Pray that the Holy
Spirit will get you as excited about your Lord as He did the first disciples so
that you will give witness to Jesus in word and deed wherever you go. May the
Spirit rekindle the light of your faith He can turn up the heat in our love
for, and our faith in, Christ. How hot is your faith? Don’t be lukewarm!
Pastor
Norm
Now
You Can Hear the Pastor as if he’s sitting
next to you! Wireless headphones are now available for the hearing impaired to
enjoy the Sunday services. Ask an elder for assistance.
It’s Time to Sign Up for Arrowhead Lutheran Camp this summer. Forms are
in the church office.
The Adult Choir is on summer
break. Look for announcements for when rehearsals resume.
Talking Books Repair Workshop is taking a summer hiatus. It will resume in September.
Those
Who Cannot Attend Service can hear
the service over the telephone. Call the church office at 923-1215. You will
receive a worship bulletin; an elder will complete the hook-up.
The
Women of Messiah
want to thank the men for an enjoyable afternoon celebration in our honor on
May 2nd. It was wonderful to be waited on. The food was delicious
and the program was most entertaining. Thank you for a lovely luncheon.
During this calendar year, Thrivent has matched our contributions in the following areas:
Lenten Soup Suppers: Thrivent matched the $570 collected for a total of
$1,140 to be used for Vacation Bible School.
Easter Arrays: Thrivent matched the $637 collected from Easter
lillies.
Easter Breakfast: Thrivent matched $343 collected for a total of
$686 that was given to Martie Ludtke, a Good Shepherd member, who suffers from
the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis. The funds will be used for
exercise equipment.
Lutheran Hour
Ministries: We collected $135 that will be
matched by Thrivent.
The
Board of Elders will meet Wednesday, June 2nd, 7:00
p.m. in the Pastor’s office.
The Board of Education will meet Tuesday, June 8th, 7:15 p.m., in
the Parish Hall.
Prayer Warriors Breakfast and Bible study is Saturday, June 12th,
7:30 a.m., in the Parish Hall. Our new topic is “Prayer.” Cost of the breakfast
is $5. Bring a friend or neighbor.
Lutheran Cursillo presents an Open Ultreya on Sunday, June 13, 2:00
p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 150 N. Palm Street, La Habra. Child care is
available. Bring goodies to share.
Jerry Brady, a member of Messiah, will be installed as the new
president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce at an Installation Banquet, Friday,
June 25th. Congratulations, Jerry!
Church Leaders for 2004-2005
will be installed into their offices Sunday,
June 27th, in the worship services. If you are an elected leader,
please be present.
Seeing God’s Hand in Many Places is the theme for the 2nd Annual Luther
Hostel at Concordia University, Irvine, July 18th – 23rd.
Since participation is limited to 40 people, early registration is urged. Cost
is $495 per person. Register by contacting Mary Sipes at 949/854-8002,
extension 1861 or mary.sipes@cui.edu.
Remember
These in Prayer:
Julie Anderson, Doris Ludtke, Alan Anderson, Erwin Ludtke, LeAnn
Anderson, Marti Ludtke
Marta Genovez Ayala, Mona Maley, Pearl Bennett, Judith Manis, Ethel
Bitner, Anita McGuinness
Erin Elizabeth Brady, Terri Meininger, Mira Bringman, Dr. Ed Morgan, Sherry
Buescher, Bob Mossman
Pearl Buettner, Dorothy Pearce, Rose Clarke, Rafael Perez, Richard
Corse, Rose Petersen
Mary Cowart, Al Richards, Rick Dunkerly, Diana Rizza, Glenn Ekberg, Eva
Rysava, Al Evans, Patti Santrizos
Jan Fisher, Alberto Sapien, Luisa
Garcia, Kimberly Schaus, Kathy Gargas, Tracy Sexton, Rosa Genovez
Dale Skeen, Patti Gerges, Cathy Stahl, Carol Keller, Sue Staley, Judy
Kramer, Roger Taylor
Rick Krapf, Wade Weakley, Jerry Krause, Mary Weston, Robert Lane, Pearl
Wilson
Hazel Leslie, Rose Ann Wulfestieg, Bill Lidtke, Jeremy Young, Dorothea
Lidtke,
Please Keep Our Prayer List Updated by calling or leaving a note in the church office.
Marilee Buescher, Messiah former member, has requested
prayer for her daughter-in-law, Sherry Buescher. At age 18, Sherry was diagnosed
with diabetes. For more than a decade, regular insulin shots worked. In May
2001, Sherry received a kidney and pancreas transplant. Her body accepted both
and she recovered quickly. The doctors have now discovered that her body is
rejecting the kidney so she needs another kidney transplant soon or the
pancreas she received in 2001 might be ruined. Sherry has dialysis three times
a week while she is waiting for a kidney to be donated. Please pray for a
donor, for Sherry, her husband, Mark, and her mother-in-law, Marilee. Thank
you.
The Board of Elders invites you to participate in the Prayer Vigil to be held Friday, June 25th, from 4-8 PM. These prayer vigils give each of us a great opportunity to join fellow believers in praying, whether for five minutes or an hour. Jesus tells us that: “Where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV). The prayer vigil is a continuation of those we held last year. As Christians, prayer is essential! Please come and join others in praying for our people, our church, our nation, and any other concerns dear to you.
“Be joyful
always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus. – I
Thessalonians 5:16-18
Dick and Dagmar Tonkovich have been members of Messiah
since 1988. Previously, they attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (ALC) for more
than thirty years. By God’s grace, Dagmar, her parents and her two sisters
lived through German-occupied Poland during World War II, and then escaped
Russian-dominated postwar Poland to live in West Germany for eleven years. They
emigrated to Lynwood, CA in 1955, sponsored by St Paul’s. Dagmar is fluent in
three languages, Polish, German, and English.
Dick was born in Great Falls, Montana, and relocated to
California in 1948. He received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from
California State-Los Angeles and then attended UC Berkeley as a graduate
student and teaching assistant. After becoming a California CPA, Dick worked 36
years for the Department of Defense, completing his career as an office
manager.
Dick and Dagmar, who met while singing in the choir, were
married at St. Paul’s in 1958. They are the proud parents of two sons. Andrew,
a lecturer at UC Irvine, is married to Lisa, a professor at Irvine Valley
College. They are the parents of Louis, Dick and Dagmar’s precious two-year-old
grandson. John, their second son, works as a contractor.
Dick and Dagmar have been very active in the Lutheran
church, having served in many positions at St. Paul’s and Messiah. The Lord has
abundantly blessed them. To Him be the glory!