Sierra Lutheran News

January 2011

Newsletter 1
 FACE TO FACE WITH JESUS IN THE NEW YEAR
By: John Saethre
Have you been face to face with Jesus? Maybe it is the realization that your economic situation isn’t
going to get better any time soon, and Jesus is telling you that He will take care of you. Maybe it is
facing a health issue and realizing that Jesus is the Great Physician – the One to rely on for healing.
Maybe it’s a young soldier going to combat and facing the possibility of death for the first time and
knowing that eternity is his/hers through faith in Jesus. Maybe it’s when the bottom falls out in our lives
– nothing seems to be going right, and we realize we are not in control – God is, and so we turn to Jesus,
who will never leave us nor forsake us.

This New Year, 2011 poses its share of challenges as the nation experiences a 9.8 unemployment rate –
worst since the Great Depression. Food and gas prices are rising at an alarming rate. We have a military
that is still fighting two wars and the prospects of more, as Korea heats up. Our defense is stretched thin.
We have done amazingly well against terrorism, but we have the pressure of having to be right 100% of
the time, and a terrorist has to be right only once. Families are in crisis, with the divorce rate hovering
around one in two ending in divorce. Traditional family values are not being taught – just ask our youth
minister, Robert. Common courtesy, being polite, sensitive and respectful to authorities are becoming
rare. We had the BP oil disaster in 2010 – what could possibly happen in 2011?

People need Jesus more now than ever as we await His Second Coming. Christians are not driven by
fear, but by faith in the One who conquered, the One who overcame, the One who loves us so much that
there is no way we will be abandoned as His children. People who have come face to face with Jesus in
His Word and in the world are folks who have been changed by that encounter.

I will be doing a sermon series this January and February on some Biblical characters who came face to
face with Jesus, and how they were transformed by meeting Jesus. My prayer is that each of us will
encounter Jesus face to face through the preaching and hearing of His Word in the New Year. Here is the
upcoming schedule in the series: Face To Face With Jesus:

 January 16 – Face to Face With Jesus: John the Baptist

 January 23 – Face to Face With Jesus: Nathaniel
 January 30 – Face to Face With Jesus: The Woman at the Well
 February 6 – Face to Face With Jesus: Joshua

We need renewal in the New Year. God is calling us to intimacy with His Son, whom He sent to set us
free and transform us. May God bless Sierra Lutheran Church as we open ourselves to the Source of all
hope and joy – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Happy New Year!

Pastor John

Newsletter 2
continued on page 3
 THE SAETHRES ON VACATION

The Saethre family will be heading to Phoenix after Christmas to see their newest grandson and daughter
Kjersten and family. They will return January 3. We thank Danny Everhart for preaching on December 26
and Robert DuPree on January 2.

PASTOR JOHN TO SHARE LCMC

One of the visions of Sierra Lutheran Church is that we will be a light for other Lutheran congregations in
the area. God is showing us the fruit of that vision as Pastor John has been asked to preach at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Madera January 9. In the pulpit exchange Rev. Tim Gallamore will be preaching here
and doing communion. Please pray for Trinity Lutheran as they vote January 16 to leave the ELCA and join
LCMC!

SINGLE SERVICE JANUARY 23

The second half of our Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, January 23. As we have done in the past,
breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. and we will move into worship as a Single Service at 9:00 a.m.,
followed by the Annual Meeting. We invite all voting members to attend this important meeting as we
move into the next chapter of ministry at Sierra Lutheran.

NEW MEMBER CLASS

Pastor John will conducting a new

member class Saturday, January 15,
from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Topics
will include: “An Effective Way To
Share The Gospel,” “What It Means
To Be A Christian Who Happens To
Be Lutheran?,” “The Sacraments,”
and “Spiritual Gifts – Where Can You
Serve.” Contact the church office if
interested: 855-8989.

Newsletter 3
 Notes from the Administrator. . .
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
For in him you have been enriched in every way…”
 1 Corinthians 1:4-5a 

Happy New Year! Blessings to everyone as we move into a new year in partnership with our glorious Lord
and Savior! I am excited in anticipation of where God will lead us and how we will respond to His movement.
As I look back on 2010, I am reminded that things are not always easy, but, they are always blessed when we
“Trust God from the bottom of our heart; don't try to figure out everything on our own. Listen for God's voice
in everything we do, everywhere we go; he's the one who will keep us on track. Don't assume that we know
it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Our body will glow with health, our very bones will vibrate with life! Honor
God with everything we own; give him the first and the best. Our barns will burst, our wine vats will brim
over. But don't, dear friends, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction. It's the child he
loves that GOD corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.”
Proverbs 3:5-12, The Message Bible (adapted in bold by me to include all of us, not just as singular). He has
proven this passage true to me in many ways this past year. Have you noticed His blessings as well?

As January now here, my time as Vice President draws to an end. Thank you once again for allowing me to
serve this congregation in this capacity for the past four years! It truly has been an honor and blessing to be
a part of the business of our Lord. I also want to thank those that have served alongside me. Stacey
Paloutzian as treasurer – she was so easy to work with and always put God first as she diligently honored
the stewardship of our congregations offerings; David Bookwalter as elder – we served four years together.
It was a pleasure to serve with and grow with him. On more than one occasion, we agreed to disagree, but
always valued and honored what the other brought to the table; Carole Actis and Sallie Karp – Carole
started as elder, resigning mid-way through her second term in office and Sallie sweetly filled her seat to
complete her term. It was a pleasure to work with both of these women and know that each of them helped
me to grow stronger in my walk as we journeyed through this time in our lives together. Thank you to Jeff
Sanders, Becki LaVoy-Jordan, Mike Jolley and Dave McCann for our partnership this past year as well. It will
be exciting to once again view the business of the church from the back seat. (I will remain the Church
Administrator, so I’m sure I’ll continue to be involved, it just might look a little different.)

Blessings for a God-filled 2011!

Your Servant in Christ,

Lori Pape

CALENDAR EVENTS

Please contact the church office or Samantha

Flanagan Dupree with any scheduled events so they
can be placed on master calendar. The master
calendar will help keep our Website and Newsletter
calendars current. Thank you

Newsletter 4
Photo directory corrections:
Ronnie and Judy Aylward

Birthdays: Ronnie (09/08) Judy (12/23)

35664 Oak Springs Rd.
Tollhouse, CA 93667 HOPE AND JOY
855-8836 (home)
Email: quail_gully_07@yahoo.com Join the ladies of Hope and Joy
When they meet at the home of
Sylvia Cox (home phone # correction
Fern Cetin, noon Saturday,
only)
855-6488 January 8th,
For a potluck lunch
Samantha Flanagan-DuPree And Bible study .
New emal address: Please RSVP to Fern 855-6507.
samfdupree@gmail.com Bible study will be “A Sinful
Donalee Townsend Woman, a forgiven heart!”
29925 Burrough Valley Road 
P. O. Box 460
Tollhouse, CA 93667
855-4076 (home)
Email: donaleejc4metoo@yahoo.com
Happy New Year Church
Mike Jolley
Mike’s email: mtnrocker@gmail.com Didn’t Christmas come and leave so fast? At
least we at SLC have a wonderful church to go
Sallie Karp to and relax with God, welcome Jesus into our
lives and connect with our church family.
33751 Powerhouse Rd. Sp. #6
Even in this economy people reached out to
Auberry, CA 93602 those in need. The Salvation Army had a
banner year.
Russ and Sharon Tevis Our own two Food Banks were humming with
14110 Crown Oak Dr. Eggs activity. I was told that on the Saturday before
Christmas we had 200 people to feed.
Prather, CA 93651
We have a crew of outstanding, committee
323-9637 (home) For Sale volunteers from SLC, other churches and the
Russ cell # - 269-2771 community, including Shaver Lake helping to
Sharon cell # - 259-4016 Or feed our hungry. We are grateful to God for
Email: skitevis4@att.net supplying the food to feed our local hungry
friends and we are looking forward to the time
(Given if when Food Banks aren’t needed.
needed) Jerry Garwick has been added to the office
volunteers working on Fridays and Elida Baker
Contact Jeff or on Tuesdays.
Tam Sanders Carol Lawrence
Service Leader
855-4974

Newsletter 5
  LITTLE WHITE
CROSSES FOR SALE
KITCHEN CORNER
JANUARY 2011 Remember to help us sell
the white crosses that go in
your yards.
The kitchen team would like to thank you
for all your support in 2010. This is a small quiet but
We have enjoyed serving you and God. powerful statement that is
Because of your support we will soon have a new being made across America.
convection oven and a place to store some of our
kitchen items. For questions: The Jumps
will be back January 11.
Call Shirley Markus, Sue
MAY HIS LOVE LIGHT YOUR WORLD IN A SPECIAL Gallegos or Mike Jolley
WAY AND LEAD YOU INTO A NEW YEAR.
 The crosses sell for $5.00

Happy New Year to One and All!!! May it be a Happy and Blessed Year Ahead to All Who Read
This!!

News from Outreach:

December was a busy and caring month for our church family. I want to extend a huge thank you to all who
helped to make Christmas brighter for 25 patients at Wish-i-ah. Your generosity was amazing and well
received. The back of my trunk looked like Santa's sleigh when we delivered the gifts on the 23rd. Thank
you's go out to the elves who helped me in the delivery. We left feeling the true spirit of Christmas, which
of course is LOVE and HOPE. Arlene and Paul Jumps have spearheaded this project for years, so special
thank you's are most definitely in order for these two caring people.

I also want to thank Alan Gallegos for organizing the Christmas Caroling for Wish-i-ah. He had a delicious
hot lunch for all the carolers to enjoy before heading off to sing. It was a great way to warm up and
fellowship before heading off to bring some of the songs of Christmas to those who otherwise would not
hear a "live performance!" Kudos to Edwin Simpson V for being the youngest caroler!!!

I am "in awe" of everyone who has helped with Outreach since we started up again this summer. Some of
our efforts were done by a "mighty few" but the bible says "when two or more are together" the Lord is also
present. Hats off to everyone who helped reach out this past year. Let's double our efforts in 2011!
Blessings to all!! Lynda Qualls

Newsletter 6
 January 2011
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 - 9am-Celebration 3 4 5 6 7 8
11am-Heritage 7pm-AA Meeting 6:15pm-715pm 6:30pm-Praise Team 9am-Joseph’s
4pm-AA Meeting CoDA 7pm-AA Meeting Store House
6:33pm- Ascend 633 7pm-Choir Practice

9 - 9am-Celebration 10 11 12 13 14 15
11am-Heritage 7pm-AA Meeting 6:15pm-715pm 6:30pm-Praise Team
4pm-AA Meeting CoDA 7pm-AA Meeting
6:33pm-Ascend 633 7pm-Choir Practice

16 - 9am-Celebration 17 18 19 20 21 22
11am-Heritage 7pm-AA Meeting 6:15pm-715pm 6:30pm-Praise Team
4pm-AA Meeting CoDA 7pm-AA Meeting
6:33pm-Ascend 633 7pm-Choir Practice

23 - 9am-One Service 24 25 26 27 28 29
Annual Meeting 7pm-AA Meeting 6:15pm-715pm 9am-Food Bank 6:30pm-Praise Team
4pm-AA Meeting CoDA 7pm-AA Meeting
6:33pm-Ascend 633 Newsletter 7pm-Choir Practice
Articles Due

30 - 9am-Celebration 31
11am-Heritage 7pm-AA Meeting
4pm-AA Meeting
6:33pm-Ascend 633

Newsletter 7
 January 2011 Worship Assistants

Jan. 2 Jan. 9 Jan. 16 Jan. 23 Jan. 30

Altar Guild Shelley/Susan Shelley Shelley/Susan Shelley Shelley

Greeters 9 am Pam & Barbara Rod & Marcia Alan & Sue Gloria & Stacey Joyce & Fern

11 am Jim & Shirley T. George Mary Ann Jerry & Carol Randell & Ann

Ushers 9 am Joni & Dave Bev & Dave C’Rae & Bill Pat & Jim Joyce & John
& & & & &
Stacey Bob Jenny Linda W Gloria

11 am Jim & Shirley T. George Mary Ann Jerry & Carol Randall & Ann

Readers 9 am Mike Chris Nordine Alan Bob

11 am Fran Stan David J Lynda Shelley

God’s Word 9 am ---- ??? ---- ??? ???

Computer 9 am Shelley Shelley Shelley Tim Tim

Communion 9 am Mike & Joyce R. John & Lori

Assistants & Fern & Chris

11 am T. George Lynda

Prayer 9 am Yes Yes

Stations

If you are unable to serve when scheduled please ask one of the other assistants to trade dates or provide a substitution for you,
and notify Worship Coordinator Shelley Telles (855-5703) of the change.

Sierra Lutheran News 8