1711 Grant Street

Hopewell, VA 23860

The Good News

THE NEWSLETTER OF NAZARETH LUTHERAN CHURCH
www.nazluthchurch.com

MAY/JUNE 2011
TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Inside this issue:

Bulletin Board 2

VBS 3

Vacation Bible School

Child Development 5
Coming July 11 Center Update

Youth Servant Event Missions and Outreach 6

Coming July 29
Pastor’s Corner 9

Simple Church 10

Study and read through the Bible in one year

The Hometown News is
Starting September 11 a publication of
Nazareth Evangelical
Lutheran Church.
Member of the
Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.
 Page 2 The Good News

Bulletin Board
Please Help! We have a family that needs
help to provide for themselves. David Thomas
has been laid off and is willing to do any kind
of work to earn some money to help support
his family. Do you have anything such as yard
work, landscaping, House clean-
ing that you could have them
do?? If you would like to talk to
me about it at 586-3335 or you
may call David at 216-1591.
Thanks ahead of time for your
consideration. - Arnie Slimmen
CHILDCARE
James Eckenrode’s mom has a
childcare service, and she cur-
rently has some openings. If you need this ser-
vice or would like more information, please call
Elke at 530-1254 or on her cell at 691-8369. She
will care for newborns on up in age. Hours are
6:30am to 6:00pm.
Special Event—Older adults, their
family members and caregivers are invited
to a free "SMART" forum: Seniors Manag-
ing Aging, Resources and Transitions
from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 21, at
St. Ann's Catholic Church,
17111 Jefferson Davis High-
way, Colonial Heights. Com-
munity service providers will
discuss how to get the most
from your pharmacy, the ins
and outs of occupational and
physical therapy, how to en-
gage an elder law attorney,
how hospice care works, Alz-
heimer's resources, what geri-
atric care management can do
for families, and tips on providing personal
care for your loved one. Audience members
will be able to ask questions. Sponsored by
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia and
Sterling Geriatric Care Management. For

Baby Shower for Dawn

A Baby Shower for Dawn Appleby Lero is scheduled for Sunday, June 12th, in the Church
Fellowship Hall in the Basement. The times will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Any member of the
church that would like to celebrate the birth of her new baby boy is invited to attend. Kara
Canada, Jean Koren and Ann Hanford are the hostesses. We are asking for our guest to
help out with the food. If you are interested in attending, please contact Kara at 804-265-
8846 or 920-4670. RSVP by June 6th.
May 1 John Carroll June 5 Dawn Lineman
May 4 Dawn Burdette Stewart June 10 Sue Skalleberg
May 7 Arnie Slimmen June 11 Joe Cavin
May 17 Joseph Reierson June 16 Marilyn Antunes
May 23 Carol Slimmen June 16 Becky Burdette
May 23 Jenny Graham June 20 Annette Dry
May 27 Kay Grocowaskie June 20 Chris Graham
May 31 Eddie Hanford
 Page 3 The Good News

Vacation Bible School

Mark your calendars: A date has been selected of July 11th
through 15th for VBS this year. Kara Canada has volunteered to
direct this event this year. More information will be posted in the
Bulletin as we get closer to those dates.

VBS Big Jungle Adventure: Go wild on a faith journey with Jesus!

Grab a vine, brave the rapids, and prepare for a BIG JUNGLE ADVENTURE! Kids (and volun-
teers!) won't want to miss a minute of this big adventure where they can go wild for Jesus! Com-
plete with interactive and engaging activities, kids will learn about Jesus' amazing love all day,
every day.

Upcoming Events in Worship

Sermon Series on the First Epistle of Saint Peter continues until June 12.
Outdoor Worship, Sunday, May 22
Armed Forces Sunday, May 29
Confirmation Sunday, Sunday, June 26

The youth of Nazareth will be serving church and community the weekend of
July 29th. This is an excellent opportunity for our members to serve our youth
and support them as they reach out in faith and love of Jesus Christ. Please
contact the youth leaders, Tina and Ann, if you are willing to help in any way.
Here are just a few of the terrific possibilities for service they will be involved in
that weekend:

Camp Happy Acres

Hopewell Humane Society
Boys & Girls Club of Hopewell
Conrad Center
Habitat for Humanity
VA Hospital
Good Neighbor Village

With a special Captive Free concert!

 May / June 2011 Page 4

Pray for One Another

For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Nursing Homes -
Velma Fleming, HHCC (227)
For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are home-bound -
Mary Petik `
Our members and friends serving our country in the military -
Bruce Layne Danny Petik Chris Graham Dustin Petik James Eckenrode David Petik Steve Foxx
Jeff Crossen Jeffrey Head Brandon Edwards Mike McKinzie Stacey Wells Military Chaplains
For our members and friends away at college –
Landry Doane Casey Davis
For our members who are sick, hospitalized, in need of spiritual care or recuperating -
Evelyn Rayner Rowena Carter Annette Dry Kathy Beahm Marilyn Antunes Joe & Suzie Hilton
Bob Dry
Joey Reierson Cindy Fistler Tina & Art Doane Polly Sodat

For our friends who are sick, hospitalized or recuperating—

Jonathan Weston Rita Joyner Jeff Walter Kay Slade Bernard Carter Carolyn Kennedy Lou Eller
Pat MacDonald Will McLaughlin Zackrey Gilkey Jes Greeno Jason Bell Phil Justice Julie Gentry
Bob Tisdale Richard Brinkley, Jr Christopher & Deborah James Mason Hassell Jean Koren
(Gerald & Wanda’s daughter-in-law) Jean Dixon

Bible Study and Adult Confirmation

SUNDAYS 9:30 AM
Bible Study
Adult Bible Study—Meet in the “Old Church” Room, 9:30 AM. A study of 1 Peter led by Al Schneider.
Adult Bible Study, Basics Class—Join Cindy Reierson as she leads a Bible study for those new to the
faith or those desiring a more basic explanation of the faith. 9:30 AM downstairs.
Adult Confirmation
Interested in joining our church or learning more about our faith? Please contact Arnie Sliimmen for
information on our Adult Confirmation class.
Youth Confirmation
The final youth confirmation class this year for first year students will be Sunday, May 22. Our second
year student will continue through Sunday, June 19.
WEDNESDAYS 7:00 PM
Join us as Pastor Voss leads a study on the Lord’s Supper. A new topic will be presented shortly.
Join us at 6PM on Wednesdays for a meal and fellowship!
 Page 5 The Good News

Child Development Center Update

The feasibility study for a Child Development Center has begun. The
kickoff meeting was held by Perspectives Consulting Group on May 3.
You may listen to the audio of that meeting on our website or via a
CD we have available in the church office.
The feasibility study will be completed on July 15. It will provide an
answer as to whether or not there is a market in the tri-cities area
for a Lutheran Child Development center. We can then prayerfully
discuss the results and decide if this will be our mission to the com-
munity.

Perspectives consulting has performed over fifty child develop-

ment center feasibility studies and is endorsed by our district as
a reliable source for research and an independent opinion.

Feasibility Study Progress

5% Completed

Completed:
5/3/2011—Initial meeting with Pastor, committee members to discuss the Market Feasibility
Study. You may listen to this meeting online via Nazareth Radio at nazluthchurch.com.
5/9/2011—First draft of the Potential User Survey to Nazareth Lutheran Church for review and
comment

Upcoming:
5/13/2011—Comments on the first draft of Potential User Survey returned to Perspectives Con-
sulting
5/17/2011—Revised Potential User Survey to Nazareth Lutheran Church
5/19/2011—Comments on revised Potential User Survey returned with signed survey approval
letter to Perspectives
5/23/2011– 6/9/2011—Telephone interviewing
6/10/2011– 7/14/2011—Statistical analysis of the Potential User Survey data and development
of the report
7/15/2011—Market Feasibility Study report completed and delivered to Nazareth Lutheran
Church.
7/17/2011—Market Feasibility Study report provided to members via our website or via printed
document that may be read in the Conference Room.
8/4/2011—Presentation of Market Feasibility Study to members of Nazareth by Perspectives
Consulting.
 May / June 2011 Page 6

Missions and Outreach

Easter Faire Event Held on April 16, 2011, Is a Big Success
By Kara Canada
As many of you all know, we had a great turn out for the Easter Faire this year despite the rainy
weather. We had 59 children register to participate in Egg Hunts this year. And as usual, our Nazareth
members were more than eager to assist with everything needed to make it a success.
We added a new game this year. The fishing game was a huge success. We want to thank Wil-
liam Koren for assisting with building the board we used to set the game up. William Engels, his Grand-
son, stated that it was the best game there besides the Egg Hunts. We also had an additional item cook-
ing up in the kitchen this year, Funnel Cakes. Jim Morris was wonderful about cooking these for every-
one to enjoy. We also created a banner featuring the hand prints of all the children attending our event
this year.
We have included some pictures from the event for you to enjoy. We look forward to continu-
ing to celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ many gifts. One of the greatest gifts we share is the love of our
family here at Nazareth Lutheran Church. Evangelical Outreach and Mission Board

At our April meeting the board discussed Ann's idea for an in-house Food Pantry ,
because we have so many needy families in the Church. Angie is going to donate shelving
and a place to keep the items. We talked with Arnie and Carol and they suggested the En-
trance area of the Older Church/Upstairs Sunday School area. It will not be open to out-
siders and is only for families in the church and people connected to members of the
church. There will be no walk-ins. §

Nazareth Radio Now Transmitting

Whether you would like to listen to an important
meeting or a sermon, it’s online via Nazareth Radio
on our website. Simply to go
www.nazluthchurch.com and click on the icon for
our new audio archives and keep up with the latest
at your church.
 Page 7 The Good News

Up and Coming Events to Plan for in 2011

Sponsored and coordinated by the Evangelical Outreach and Missions Board

May 22nd – Service on the Lawn

followed by a Picnic Lunch
We are planning
with Pastor a Ser-
vice out on the
Lawn at our normal
service time of
11:00 a.m. It’s a cas-
ual service – think
Jesus and Jeans! We
ask that you wear
jeans or something
comfortable for being outside. We are al-
so asking that you bring a picnic lunch to EO&M’s (Evangelical’s Outreach and
enjoy that can be shared with another Mission) Event for the Fall will be cen-
family if needed. Please bring your blanket tered around fun for the kids and selling
or favorite chairs. We will need some as- crafts this year. We may have a rummage
sistance in setting up that morning from section, but that is not what we want to
some of the men folk. We are requesting focus on. Please start thinking about ideas
that members let us borrow their cano- for activities and things you would like to
pies so we can people out of the direct make to sell. Please begin preparing items
sun. We will keep you posted on other to be sold. We have not selected the date
needs as we get closer to the event yet, but it will be sometime in October or
through the Bulletin. the beginning of November. §

Did you know?

Did you know that if you cannot make a council meeting or Child Development Center meeting that it’s
possible for you to attend via conference call from home? If you ever are in a situation where you can-
not leave your home or you are out of town, please let Pastor Voss know and we will set up our confer-
ence bridge for you to attend. Yes, we value your participation that much!
Page 8 The Good News

You are invited to experience God and His

Word in a very personal way. Please join
us as we study and read through the Bible
in one year.

Starting Sunday, September 11, 2011, we

will begin reading “The Story”. From the
publisher, “This is what The Story is all
about---the story of the Bible, God's great
love affair with humanity. Condensed into
thirty-one accessible chapters, The Story
sweeps you into the unfolding progression
of Bible characters and events allowing
the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bi-
ble to read like a novel.”

This will be a church wide experience.

Each week, we will read a new chapter
and study it via:

 Bible Studies
 „Small Groups
 Sermons
 Sunday School
 And much more… TELL A FRIEND
 The Good News

Pastor’s Corner

Simple Church
All three discussion groups have agreed that we need to put into place a process by which we build dis-
ciples. What does this mean? It means that whether you are a guest or a long-time member of this
church, you will know where you need to grow in Christ and how you can serve Him using your unique
and God-given gifts. We will develop a process by which you can clearly see where you are invited to
grow and where you are called to serve. It means that our church structure (our boards and commit-
tees) will change to reflect our mission. Each part of the church structure functioning with a purpose
to help God’s children along their path of discipleship.
We’ve just begun building this process. Why not join a discussion group today? Ask the church office
for a book. Pease read Chapter 4 of Simple Church and we will begin designing our ministry process
together.

The Story
There is no better time to invite someone to engage with our church in worship than right now. We
are on the cusp of doing something really great for ourselves and our community by reading through
the Bible in one year. This will be done via a terrific book called ‘The Story’. The Story is the Bible, con-
densed into 31 Chapters and by the end of our journey, we will appreciate how God laid our His plan of
salvation for each of us. This is an journey that will bring us closer together as a church and if we do
this right, our community. Please keep an eye open for how you can help with getting the word out
about this. I will be sharing ways in which we can invite others to join us.

‘The Story’ Teacher’s Planning Meeting. So that we all are on the same page and so that we know
exactly what resources are available to us, I will lead a teacher’s planning meeting on Saturday, June
26 from 8am to noon . Bagels, juice, and drinks will be provided. This is for all teachers of Nazareth.
If you will be out of town, I will record this meeting and make it available online via our new Nazareth Ra-
dio section of our website.

The Lord’s Supper

We believe teach and confess that the body and blood of Jesus Christ are truly present in the bread
and the wine. Why? Because Scripture tells us this truth.
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is
not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? “- 1 Corinthians 10:16
We have been studying the Lord’s Supper in our Wednesday evening Bible class. It has been beneficial
to us all. We have agreed, together, that it is our Christian duty to make sure that those who Com-
mune at the Lord’s Table at Nazareth understand why Christians approach the Lord’s table and what
they are partaking of. We approach this Sacrament in repentance to receive forgiveness, a stronger
faith, and the building up of our church. We are partaking of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in, with,
and under the bread and wine. Yes, Christ is truly present in this gift.
Please make sure to speak with me if you believe you or your guest is not aware of the blessings of this
Sacrament and the Real Presence of Jesus Christ within it. This is truly a holy and blessed gift.
 Page 10 The Good News

SIMPLE
CHURCH Chapter 1 Summary
DISCUSSION There are two issues that we need to address as a congregation:
 We tend to be a maintenance minded congregation:
GROUP Examples: Our focus tends to be on programs instead of mission, council
meetings are maintenance focused not mission focused.
The following summary  We do not have a Spiritual Growth plan for our members
notes are the basic ide- Examples: We are not providing a specific growth plan for guests or mem-
as taken away from the
bers who may not know how to start or continue their growth in Christ.
initial Simple Church
meetings. Chapter 1-3
focused primarily on
reflecting on who we
Chapter 2 Summary
are. Starting with Chap- MISSION AND MINISTRY
ter 4, we will begin to
 Many of our existing ―programs‖ fall short of sharing the Gospel.
―build‖ who we desire
to become—a simple  We have many willing passionate Christians at Nazareth.
church focused on the  We get defensive about justifying the existence of programs and we need
Great Commission. to ―let go‖ of a program or redevelop it if it doesn’t serve our Mission.
BOARDS AND OFFICES
Why not join in? Join  We may want to consider reducing the number of people on our boards
any Simple Church ses- so that the board can focus on recruiting volunteers to that all members
sion: are engaged, even if just in one project.
Sunday 8:30 AM  There are many in our congregation who do not have a clear understand-
Sunday after worship ing of the importance of their role in God’s mission.
Wednesday 5:30 PM  We need to evaluate how many boards we have and how many serve on

Or online! those boards.

Chapter 3 Summary
 All members should support whatever ministry process we put into place
and all leaders should agree to understand their role in that process.
 We agree that we will move ahead with developing a process by which
people are engaged in discipleship and growing in Christ.
 We should not eliminate any programs or ideas without either replacing
them with better ideas or adapting them to serve our mission. Who
(what group) decides what programs need adapting/replacing is something
we need to continue to discuss.
 May/June 2011
Your Picture of Jesus by Pastor David Voss
Like most people, my relationship with my father
was one that changed over the years. When I was a
boy, I thought he was Superman, for he amazed me
with all he could do. When I was a teenager, I
thought he was a policeman, since he always was try-
ing to keep me in line. When I became an adult, I
saw him in a new way—just as he was—a man. We
spent a lot of time together playing Old Time music
(he on banjo and I in fiddle) and I got to know him in
ways I never knew before. I value the time I spent
with him, especially now, since he now rests in God’s
Baptismal grace with Christ.
As he and I grew older, the relationship changed dra-
matically. I’m sure the same is true for you in your
relationship with those in your family. As we change,
the nature of our relationship changes.
When you were a child or when you were new to
the faith, you had an idea of who Jesus was. As you
grew older or grew in the faith, that idea probably
developed into something unique only to you.
Look at the pictures above. Those are depictions of
Jesus Christ from various people around the world.
While we may change and while our concept of who
Jesus Christ is may change, one thing stands firm and
is unchanging, and that is Jesus Christ himself.
Page 11
No matter what the world thinks of Jesus or
says about Him, He remains victorious and ever-
lasting. Regardless of opinion about Him, depic-
tion of Him, or denial of Him, Jesus Christ sits at
the right hand of the Father as a victor over sin
and death. Unlike champions from this world
who are forgotten about once the next season
begins, the Father states that Jesus is and always
will be the victor, and ―thanks be to God! God
gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.‖ - 1 Cor 15:57.
You may think of Jesus as a nice and gentle man.
He was. You may think of Jesus as one who
could have a temper. He did. You may think of
Jesus as one who suffered and died. That is
true. Jesus was and is all of those things but He
was not only those things. Jesus Christ is risen.
He has defeated death and the devil for you.
That is why He came to the world. That is what
you need to know about Him.
No matter what you think of Jesus within that
picture, always picture this, ―But Stephen, full of
the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw
the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right
hand of God.‖ - Acts 7:55. Victorious!
Nazareth Lutheran Church
1711 Grant Street
Hopewell, VA 23860

TO:

Nazareth Evangelical
Lutheran Church

Reaching out to all

in faith and love,
sharing the Good
News of Jesus Christ,
and serving joyfully!