Messenger

The Messenger

September 2008

Pastor’s Message

Not one time does Jesus ever ask for volunteers: he calls disciples to follow him. The word volunteer comes from the Latin voluntas, meaning will or choice. Our lives as disciples are never about what we will or choose to do. In Holy Baptism we aren’t asked if we will or choose to do what a member of the Body of Christ does. Exactly the opposite is true as we see in the introduction to Holy Baptism (ELW p. 227):

In baptism our gracious heavenly Father frees us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; by water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God and made members of the church, the body of Christ. Living with Christ and in the communion of saints, we grow in faith , love, and obedience to the will of God.

Take a look at how the four Evangelists record Jesus calling his disciples:

Matthew 4:18-21: As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, ...and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea... And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:19-20: As Jesus went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father in

the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Luke 5:27-28: After [healing the paralyzed man], Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. Jesus aid to him, “Follow me.” And he got up, left everything and followed him.

John :43ff : [Jesus] found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ...Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth. ...come and see” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

Not a volunteer in the crowd. Our Lord has big news for us, church: that crowd is us! We are disciples,

called in our baptism to follow him and to be the servants of all. This is not a job for which we have volunteered: it is the life into which we have been called!

Of course some folk are always unhappy with this truth. They say this doesn’t apply to them, that they’re the “deciders,” and that the church should be thankful when they “volunteer” to do anything at all. Well, they can say that until Jesus comes again, but they cannot escape the truth: we are the baptized. In the New Testament’s word for “church,” we are the ekklesia, meaning literally the called-out people.

In his book The Calling, the Dutch evangelist Brother Andrew reminds us that “God does not work with volunteers. He calls us. Not one of the twelve apostles was a volunteer. Jesus called each of them, and they left everything behind for him.”

When you receive your Time and Abilities folders for 2009, hold on to this truth: our time, our abilities, and our energy are spiritual gifts. Each moment of life, any ability, and our strength are gifts that the Holy Spirit pours into us at baptism! Therefore, our time, talents and energy are spiritual gifts that we offer back to God in glad service to our Lord, to one other, to neighbor, to community and to the world. God fills us with marvelous spiritual gifts to do the ministries that Jesus Christ calls his servants to extend to all. Pray about the variety of service available to us, and ask our Lord Jesus to guide you in offering your time, strength and abilities in the ways that best help you grow in faith , love, and obedience to the will of God.

Own and celebrate the spiritual gifts that God has given you. Never sell a one of them short, for our Lord does not hand out second-class merchandise. Our gifts are precious in his sight, else he would not call them forth from us!

In the Savior’s love,

Ask the Pastor: A Pastoral Epistle to Families

with Young Children

Dear families in Christ,

A note placed in the Ask the Pastor box in the Information Center brought to my attention a situation of great concern: a considerable number of people are dismayed at the level of noise produced by some of our younger folk during the service, as this loud talking and toy noise is extremely distracting during worship. The note was in no way mean-spirited, but merely emphasized the reality of a very disturbing situation. The sisters and brothers who wrote the note are not concerned about our little babies and are not bothered by the occasional fretful cries from them. Rather, their concern centers around our younger children, ages three or so and up who are old enough to understand what it means to be quiet or at least quieter at certain times.

No one is asking that these children be placed in the nursery for the entire service, but rather it is being asked, and reasonably so, that the parents teach the children, discipline them appropriately, and help them to make less noise. Perhaps a brief “time-out” stint in the nursery room or fellowship hall would help the children to be calmer and quieter. I assure you that I am most sympathetic. You have met our sons as gracious adult Christian gentlemen, but I’m here to tell you it was not always thus, even though David and I were fairly strict parents. I could tell you stories about Edwin’s and Matthew’s church antics (their mother was in the pulpit) that would curl your hair. Believe me: where you are, I have been.

I hope that all our parents understand that because I must keep my mind on what I’m doing and concentrate on the service, I am often the last to notice some things which go on in the nave during the liturgy! Some of our littlest ones must be taken in and out, and that is fine. As a matter of fact, some adult members must also go in and out during the course of a service. I am very rarely even aware of those comings and goings, as my mind is otherwise occupied.

One of the things that makes Christ Church such a wonderful faith family is that we are exactly that: a family - with every age group from tiny babies to adults in their nineties - and what a glorious blessing that is! We are family, and you already know how I feel about including all our children in worship in every way possible. I am thankful that our young ones feel very much at home in church, as that is as it should be. But, parents, we need your help with instructing and guiding these treasured children in appropriate behavior so that the whole congregation may experience and enjoy the beauty and mystery of worship as the Holy Spirit calls and gathers us together on the Lord’s Day.

In the Name of the One Who said,

Let the children come to me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

From the Learning Committee

Power Express Sunday School

Our Power Express classes for 3 year olds—6th grade will begin on Rally Day, September 7. Our first unit will be “Creation” where we will learn about all that God has made for us and how we, as God’s people, can be caretakers of this wonderful world.

Senior High National Youth Gathering Meeting

If you are a 9th – 12th grader, you’ll want to attend a special meeting on September 7 about the 2009 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans next July. Parents, please come with your senior high student to get important information. We will meet at 11:30 a.m., so after worship, get your food from the picnic potluck and bring it to the meeting in the Conference Room. Registration for the Youth Gathering begins September 15, so we need to be ready! If you have questions, please contact Ginny Trygstad at the church.

Preschool Begins a New Year

Preschool classes begin on September 8. We have 50 students enrolled so far with a few more openings in the 3 and 4 year old classes. All of our teachers are returning: the 2-year-old class—Roxanne Lao, 3-year-old class—Avery King, 4-year-old classes—Judy Olson and Linda Nalls.

We have an exciting year planned with field trips and special activities for the children and their families. The year will begin with a parents’ Back-to-School Night on September 3. The children will also be invited to meet their teachers and see their classroom before they come for their first day of school.

Keeping in Touch

Each year, we keep in touch with our college students while they are pursuing their studies. This year we have quite a few college students and soon it will be time to volunteer to write to them during the upcoming semesters. Beginning on Rally Day, there will be sign-up sheets in the Information Center, so sign up once or twice or lots of times. You will be reminded when it is your turn to send a card or note to these young people. Help them know we are thinking about them! College students and parents – please make sure we have your current college address!

7th and 8th Graders Sunday School Begins on Rally Day

The 7th and 8th graders will begin their study of the New Testament on Rally Day. This is the Bible Study portion of their confirmation program. We use the Augsburg curriculum “Here We Stand” and the classes are interactive and a fun way to learn! Although the Sunday school classes will begin on September 7, the mid-week Confirmation Class will begin on October 1 with an orientation meeting for parents and students. More information about the confirmation program will be sent out after Labor Day.

Senior High Sunday School

Mr. Telesz will again teach the 9th—12th graders with a focus on the Faith Lens discussion materials. The more participants we have, the livelier the discussions will be, so please join us at 8:45 a.m.!

Adult Sunday School

Book Club

The next book club meeting will be Wednesday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. We will be reading Crow Lake by Mary Lawson, which is about a Canadian family with four children and the way they and their community face tragedy that happens in their young lives and the way that tragedy forms them into adulthood.

Chi Rho 2008

Fifty-nine participants (48 youth and 11 adults) from 12 congregations traveled to HOMES (Housing Oriented Ministries for Service) in Neon, Kentucky to participate in Chi Rho 2008, Metro DC's annual week-long servant event for Senior High youth July 20 - 26, 2008. The group participated in numerous projects, including siding, demolition, clearing brush, burning debris, power washing, clean-up/touch-up, serving at a food distribution center, rehab, insulation, and sheet rock. Everyone worked, played, danced, hiked and worshiped together. Together, the group provided over $33,000 in sweat equity and program fees for HOMES. Check out photos at http://gallery.me.com/arkerlav/100121. Thanks to all in the congregation who provided support whether in the form of gas money, funding for our youth who attended, or prayers for a safe journey.

Brief History of Our Liturgy

Mar-Lu-Ridge Walk-a-Thon

On Sunday afternoon, September 28, Mar-Lu-Ridge Lutheran Camp will have its annual fund raiser walk-a-thon, raising money for camper scholarships and facility maintenance. It’s a five mile walk—2.5. miles down the ridge and then 2.5 miles back up to the camp at the top. Enjoy the scenery, get some exercise, stay for the picnic supper afterwards, and support a good cause. Watch for more information in the bulletin. Even if you don’t want to walk, you can support someone who is walking! Save that date, and join us for some fun!

This is a program of fun and friendship where our church children in first grade and above are matched with our church adults. Parish Partners participate in several group social activities held at the church throughout the year. They may also do things on their own if desired. The program provides wonderful community support for our young people as they share in their faith. Watch for the sign-up sheet at the Information Center towards the end of August. You may also stop by the Parish Partner table on Rally Day to sign-up. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Telesz at (703) 222-6921 or Telesz@verizon.net.

RALLY DAY!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

8:45 a.m. - Sunday School

Join us as we begin a new year of

PowerXpress Sunday School and

great Adult Sunday School classes.

Nursery is provided.

10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion

in the nave

11:30 a.m. – Church Picnic

Pot Luck Picnic!

The hot dogs and the drinks will be provided.

A new approach for the potluck:

Families with the last name beginning

A – H bring a salad

I – P bring a snack or appetizer

R-Z bring a dessert

Join the fun!

Women of the ELCA

Ruth Circle meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Conference Room. All women of Christ Church are welcome to attend.

The Lydia Circle meets at 7:30 p.m. at Panera Bread on the second Tuesday of each month. All women are invited to attend for learning, sharing, and fellowship. Call or email Stacey Peters (703-250-6902, staceypeters@cox.net) for more information or to receive a copy of the bible study.

Lamb Center Needs Volunteers

The Lamb Center, a day-time drop-in shelter located in Fairfax Circle, is in need of volunteers to provide assistance to guests at the center. Volunteers serve about four hours on Friday mornings or afternoons. Volunteers help in many ways, including mentoring, laundry services, food preparation, and participating in Bible study with the guests. If you are interested in volunteering at the Lamb Center, please call Ted Ralph or Dave Larrabee at 703-691-3178.

Notes and Letters

Thank you to all of our volunteers who made this years Rainforest Adventure Vacation Bible School a great success!

PRIME TIMERS will meet at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, at First Watch Cafe, 9600 Main Street, Suite S, Fairfax (Fair City Mall shopping center). First Watch’s phone number is 703-978-3421.

No reservations required

News from Matt and Katie Bridges

We have a few pieces of big news. First, we are officially now in our last year in China! Our end of service date will be sometime around July 12th next year, so now we're trying to think of every day as our "last" (July 22nd, for example) in China to keep us pushing forward and trying new things. Although there have certainly been slow times, I am honestly amazed that we have less than a year to serve. I just hope we can finish everything we want to get done!

Secondly, after several . . . ummm . . . transportation "issues" (which, to be fair, we did have in the US as well—we just didn't have the language barrier to compound it!), we decided to take our saved money from the first year and buy a treadmill instead of using it to travel this summer. We were actually amazed that we were able to find treadmills in our city—they're very expensive for the common person and we used just about every yuan (Chinese dollar) to buy it. The two biggest department stores (out of three!) carried treadmills and Matt went down to check them out and to see if they could stand our weight. When I went down with him the next day, I made the mistake of asking if the ones against one side of the small area were the kids' treadmills . . . totally forgetting the height and weight difference between typical Americans and Chinese people. Oops. Anyway, we got the strongest one we could afford – I'll interject here – it's also the strongest they had. There was one more expensive one, but it included lots of bells and whistles like video screens - . . . and of course, six weeks in, the running board has already broken. This led us on a frantic 12 hour search for the paperwork to prove that we bought it (since everything is in cash and there really is not other record) to no avail. Luckily, my amazing colleague and counterpart (I go to her with all my questions!), Dai Qian Qian, was able to convince the store to send a repair man out anyway. We should get the new board in a week and Matt requested a stronger one, if possible. We'll see. – If a stronger one isn't available, I may try reinforcing the new one with some metal strapping. Can't wait to explain that one to the student or teacher we get to help us. - We did learn that we apparently don't have a good system for keeping important papers and are determined to resolve that before we get back to the US and actually have real important papers to keep!

Next—our trip to Fengjie! This has been and probably will end up being the highlight of our summer. In the China Peace Corps program, every volunteer is required to participate in a two week Summer Project. The project is actually organized by the Chinese Ministry of Education and Peace Corps has nothing to do with it besides agreeing to provide the teachers (us!). Each year, many middle and high school teachers across China are required to participate in education training to keep up their training certificates. Matt and I applied and were fortunate to be chosen as coordinators to open a new Summer Project in Fengjie. Fengjie is located two and a half hours by fast boat downriver from Wanzhou. (It's seven hours by slow boat!) It is a remote and poor area. The majority of English teachers there got their degrees through correspondence programs and only up to 20% of them had gone to a university, and of those, most had done a 2-year program, like the one we teach here in Wanzhou.

Matt and I went to Fengjie with our supervisor, Peng Laoshi (Teacher Peng, or Sandy J) and organized all the details for the ten days of teaching. Then, two weeks later, four of our PCV friends from Chongqing came to join us as we headed to Fengjie to begin teaching. We found the teachers just absolutely wonderful to work with. They were a little shy at first, but most seemed to open up to our ways of teaching after the first or second day and then were really interested in the different games, songs, and group activities we used to show them examples of western teaching techniques. I'm especially amazed at how willing they were to get up and do the more active lessons. First, students never get up in a Chinese classroom. They always sit, listen, and take notes. So we were really asking the teachers to do something completely contrary to what they are used to! (There are also some issues with trying to do active lessons with 90 12-year-olds in a class . . . we tried to talk about ways to get around those issues in our small groups.) The weather was ridiculously hot—even hotter than Wanzhou, because Fengjie had clear skies, so the sun was always pounding down on us. There was no air conditioning in the classes, just ceiling fans, and the organizers asked us to end the morning lessons by 11:30 so that everyone could get home for lunch before the hottest part of the day. We were especially sensitive to the heat since there have been heat-related deaths in classrooms over the summer before.

The teaching was both rewarding and entertaining. I think the teachers all got something out of the program, and we all have memories that are sure to last a lifetime. Phil and Ryan, two of the volunteers in Fengjie, combined their classes for Jeopardy toward the end of the program. One of the categories was "Western Food." The answer: "The three main ingredients of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." One of the students in the class was really excited, and certain she knew the answer. When asked, she proudly responded, "Vegetables, bread and sausage."

In my class, one day I had a few extra minutes at the end of the lesson, and opened it up for questions – this has been a really good way to let students here in China learn about the topics that actually interest them on their own terms. One of the men in the back of the class raised his hand, and calmly asked me, "Can you tell me how to make love?" Needless to say, I was taken aback. As I grasped for an appropriate response, a few of the women in the class turned around and had a brief discussion in Chinese with my inquisitor. He then asked, "Can you tell me how to fall in love?" Which, as Candice (another volunteer) pointed out later, is actually a far more difficult question to answer. Maybe the first one wasn't so bad after all?

Each evening we had two activities planned that were optional for the teachers to join. Playing with an American Football and Frisbee were a HUGE hit—although more with the kids in the neighborhood that with the teachers. Phil (a fellow PCV) taught Pictionary, which was a smashing success, and I taught Bingo one night. (Educational Bingo, even! They wrote fruits and animals into the squares and I would attempt to either say the word in Chinese for them to translate to English or make the sound of the animal. Let's just say the second part earned me a lot of laughs!)

We ended up teaching for ten days straight, with four classes every day and two hours of activities in the evening. We were scheduled to have one day off, but we learned on the first day that the teachers had requested that the last day be the day off, since many of them came from far away in the countryside to get to the city and they wanted to be able to return home as soon as possible. We agreed, of course, and were beyond exhausted by the end!

On the last day, after the examinations (oral interviews), closing ceremony, and of course, a ton of pictures, the organizers in Fengjie took the six of us to Baidi Cheng—the White Emperor City. I'll let Matt get into the history here, but suffice to say it was very beautiful, although a little surreal. From the city we could see the Kuimen—the opening to the first of the Three Gorges.

So Baidi Cheng was one of the capitals during the Three Kingdoms period in China (bonus points if you can guess how many capitals their were!). Legend has it that the ruler saw some fog, decided it looked like a dragon, and perceived this to mean that he should build his capital on this site. Well, not exactly this site. A certain dam has inundated the original location, so some remnants of the city have been evacuated to higher ground. Combined with a lot of

fresh concrete buildings, it makes for a very Disneyworld take on history. Which is not unusual here. Actually, it reminds me of Ephesus, Turkey in that respect. "And here's an archway. We built it and then found its statue. Turns out we built it wrong. Oh well! See the holes in the stones on the road? That means they were part of a wall. But we wanted to build a road, so we used them anyway!"

But I digress. The site is actually a beautiful location, and we all really enjoyed the entrance to the Three Gorges – it supposed to be the most impressive part of the Three Gorges, and it is featured on the back of the 10-yuan bill.

After our trip to Baidi Cheng, we attended a banquet (as usual) that involved a lot of toasts (as usual). Then, the head of education in Fengjie invited us out to get our hair washed. Ryan, Phil and I took him up on the offer. Apparently this is the thing to do on Saturday nights, as the place was packed when we arrived. So, it turns out that a hair wash involved (for the equivalent of $3) scalp massage, ear washing, face washing, neck, back and arm massage and actual hair washing. The process lasted about 2 hours. It was a bit surreal – all of the employees (stylists? Masseuses?) wanted to take part, as no one had ever gotten to wash a foreigner's hair before. There were hundreds of pictures, at least a few videos, and lots of broken Chinese conversations. Chalk one up for another unique experience in China.

At the end of summer project, I think all of us had learned just how much work the teachers in Fengjie do and how they struggle with extremely large classes, long work hours, and very limited teaching supplies. These teachers were amazing to come to this required training—one that eats into their preciously small summer vacation (much smaller in China)—with a positive attitude and a willingness to try new things. They dealt with us—Americans, most of whom can barely speak Chinese—and were willing to use their English despite their lack of confidence and formal training. I'm so amazed by how much they're able to do in their classrooms with such limited supplies. While there is a textbook for each student, there are no additional English materials. There are no bookstores in Fengjie that sell English books—the closest city to get English books (which, other than classics, are very expensive) is Chongqing—a good 9-10 hours by bus or a boat and bus trip away. They were thrilled that we'd brought all the China Dailys (a Chinese newspaper in English) and English magazines we could carry with us to give to them. We're still trying to think of ways we could help . . . there are 500 English teachers in the Fengjie district and we're going to try to find out more about what they could really use. They've already mentioned, several times, that they want to host summer project again next year and have asked if Peace Corps Volunteers could come out during the school year to observe their teachers and offer help. Their interest and support was truly amazing—and I definitely feel like we've made a difference. Only about half of the teachers had e-mail addresses, but I'm hoping we can keep in touch and I plan on sending them different songs, activities, etc. throughout the year. So . . . now for my new plea: if you know any simple jokes, please share them! They need to be very simple. Word plays are much harder for them, although if they are useful words than it is worth the explanation it will take. "Why did the chicken cross the road" was a HUGE hit, and "why did the duck cross the road" had them laughing without me even having to explain anything!

Okay . . . it's getting to be time for me to sign off. My new attempt for a hobby is currently cross-stitching. The parents of the children I was teaching once a week bought me a large cross-stitching pattern and I'm determined to show them I can do it! It is a picture of five Chinese babies dressed in traditional clothes playing with toys . . . they said it was to wish me the best of luck in having lots of boy babies. (Of course, I'm planning a small revolt. I plan to put hair bows on three of the babies . . . I've got to have girls in the picture too!)

Hope all is well!

Love,

Katie and Matt

Golf, Anyone?!

We received an invitation from former Christ Church members Bob and Norma Huss to come to their retirement community for a day of golfing. If you don’t want to golf, you can just visit with Norma and enjoy the beautiful Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, scenery and weather! They’re even planning a cook-out for dinner!

Bob has chosen several possible dates and the first choice is Saturday, October 4. He said there are also overnight accommodations at the Penn National Inn and two guest rooms with them if you want to stay overnight.

Please see the Penn National brochures and the sign-up sheet in the Information Center. Bob requests that participants sign up by September 10 and suggest some possible tee time, and which course, so he can make the reservations. If there is enough interest, we’ll make it happen!

Where did we get that? The Great Thanksgiving (Part 1)

The earliest title we have for this section of the order of the mass is eucharistia megale, meaning literally “great thanksgiving.” Beginning with the opening dialogue, this section continues with the Preface, through Eucharistic Prayer which contains the Words of Institution, and ends with the great Amen at the conclusion of the prayer.

The Great Thanksgiving comes to us directly from Jewish table blessings (prayers of thanksgiving) like the ones that Jesus said at the Last Supper. (Recall the phrases “he took bread and gave thanks, broke it...” and “he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all....) These blessings over the bread (Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe who brings forth bread from the earth.), and over the cup after the meal (Blessed... who brings forth the fruit of the vine.) were extremely important. The second blessing had three parts: a benediction blessing God for the food given to Israel, a thanksgiving for the land, and a petition of supplication for Jerusalem. The most ancient written order of service we have (dating from early 2nd century A.D.), uses the order of thanksgiving, benediction and supplication, to emphasize first our thanksgiving for our redemption before blessing God for creation.

The pattern for the entire section, from dialogue through the Amen, has ten parts:

(1) Dialogue; (2) Preface; (3) Sanctus; (4) Post-Sanctus; (5) Institution narrative;

(6) anamnesis (remembering); (7) Epiclesis (calling down the Holy Spirit); 8) Intercessions;

9) Concluding doxology (a hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity); and 10) the Amen.

(1) The dialogue reflects our Hebrew roots:

(A) The Lord be with you. / And also with you affirms the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us;

(B) Lift up your hearts. / We lift them up to the Lord is our offering our hearts to God; in Hebrew

thought the heart is the center of all feeling, emotion and intention, and thus to worship we give

our hearts to God as set apart, clean and filled with “a right spirit,” and, as St. Paul said, “set on

things above.”

of verses completes the dialogue and is really the introduction to the Jewish prayer of thanks

that blesses and praises God for creation and all God’s mighty works. The Preface, which

is next, is simply a continuation of this prayer introduction with the congregation’s endorsement

(“It is right to ...”) of what follows.

(2) The Preface is always addressed to the first person of the Holy Trinity, praising God the Father for all of God’s wondrous acts, always through Jesus Christ. In the western Church the preface has a simple pattern with beginning and ending that never change, and the middle section focusing on one aspect of our salvation history appropriate to the season of the church year. The purpose of the Preface is to give reasons for rendering thanksgiving at the particular occasion and to join the praise of the Church on earth with that of the church in heaven (see Hebrews 12:22ff). The Preface pattern is always thus:

+Introduction: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give

thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, though our Savior Jesus Christ;

+Seasonal: Example: Lent) You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for

Section: paschal feast, that renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace.

+Closing: And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we

praise your name and join their unending hymn:

[Next month: Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), the Eucharistic Prayer with our salvation history, the Words of

Institution, and great Amen.]