The Chrysalis

Current news from Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church 
-- a place of safety --
February 1, 2018                 Vol. 19, Issue 2
  Greetings!

You have just received the February 1, 2018 Chrysalis - the newsletter of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church. Please read through it for information concerning events during the coming month. Chrysalis will be published by the office staff, in this form, near the first of each month -- with special editions during the month (if/as warranted).

If you desire a printed copy of the Chrysalis you may print this email version (as with any email you receive). There will also be a few printed copies in the narthex for visitors, and for members of HRLC who do not have printing capabilities. [Note: This is an email newsletter and does not paginate the way a non-email newsletter might.]

Should you accidentally (or deliberately) delete this email, you may also find a link to the Chrysalis on our web site (www.hrlcsj.org). Go to the Member "Home" tab, then the "Communication" tab, and then click on "Newsletter" to find the month you are seeking.
Lent Begins on February 14
Ash Wednesday comes on February 14, Valentine's Day, this year. Our special worship service on that day will begin at 6:00pm, and will last for approximately an hour. Note that this in 1/2 hour earlier than in prior years, due to the Wednesday evening worship service of our renter (Green Pastures Presbyterian Church).

The service will include confession and absolution, the imposition of ashes, a pledge of 40 day commitment to the disciplines of Lent, and communion. Lenten materials will also be available for those who would like to have them:
  • a Lenten tent folder, suitable for usage at meal time or meditation time, provided by Bread for the World,
  • Lenten coin folders in 10 cent and 25 cent sizes, for those who would like an easy Lenten denial undertaking.

Lent is a 40 day period, beginning Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday (excluding Sundays). It concludes with Holy Week (Palm Sunday, followed by the Sacred Triduum on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday).

The disciplines of Lent, as we walk with our Lord on his journey to Jerusalem, are Prayer, Fasting and Alms-giving. During this time many within the church (and outside of the church) give up -- or take on -- one or more of the disciplines. One might typically fast one day of the week, take a special hour each day for meditation, and utilize a Lenten Denial Folder (or another mode of giving) during the entirety of Lent.

If you have never participated in the disciplines of Lent, you are invited to come to worship on Ash Wednesday to begin the journey and to pledge your commitment dedication for the next 40 days.

Ministry Activity Contacts for February
(For information about an activity call the Ministry Activity Contact)

Pack Food Bags for Food Pantry on February 4 beginning at 11:45am
Carolyn Keck

Praying and Sharing on February 10 from 9:00am until 10:30am
Carolyn Keck

Relating Decorating and Garnish Meeting on February 10
from 12:00pm until 1:00pm
Pastor John

Food Pantry Distribution on February 10 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm
Mary West

The Closet Distribution on February 10 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm
Leslie Stobbe

Pack Food Bags on February 18 beginning at 11:45am
Carolyn Keck

Out and about on February 18 beginning at (approximately) 1:00pm
There is no Contact at this time

Conversations Around the Table on February 21 from 6:30pm until 9:00pm
Pastor John

Evangelism SGM Meeting on February 24 from 10:00am until 11:00am
Pastor John

Relating Core Ministry Meeting on February 24 from 11:00am until 12:00pm
Pastor John

Food Pantry Distribution on February 24 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm
Leslie Stobbe

Pack Hygiene Kits for The Closet on February 25 beginning at 11:45am
Leslie Stobbe

Progressive Theology Dialogue on February 27 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Pastor John
( Weekly) Those Who Serve -- February 2018
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February 04:
  • Usher: Leslie Stobbe
  • Reader: Carolyn Keck
  • Comm Asst: Carolyn Keck
  • Altar Prep: Mary West
  • Refreshments: M West & J Neider
  • Counter: Marcia Freesemann
February 11:
  • Usher: Mike Hagaman
  • Reader: Kay Ammon
  • Comm Asst: Kay Ammon
  • Altar Prep: Mike Hagaman
  • Refreshments: Evan Dowling
  • Counter: Leslie Stobbe
February 18:
  • Usher: Mary West and J. Neider
  • Reader: Awic Smith
  • Comm Asst: Kathy Wiese
  • Altar Prep: Mike Hagaman
  • Refreshments: Leslie Stobbe
  • Counter: Carolyn Keck
February 25:
  • Usher: Kathy Wiese & Evan Dowling
  • Reader: Mike Hagaman
  • Comm Asst: Mike Hagaman
  • Altar Prep: Julie Neider
  • Refreshments: Carolyn Keck
  • Counter: Evan Dowling
If there is a problem with the weekly listing of Those Who Serve please notify the church office so that it can be corrected when we publish the weekly worship materials.

If you are unable to fulfill a task on the date assigned please procure a replacement and notify the office concerning the arrangements you have made.
(Monthly)Those Who Serve -- February 2018
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Bake Bread -- Carolyn Keck
Buy (Merlot)Wine -- Leslie Stobbe
Buy (White Grape) Juice -- Awic Smith
Worship Space Preparation -- Julie Neider
Worship Service Preparation -- Mike Hagaman
Healing Prayers & Imposition of Oil -- Carolyn Keck
Recorded Prelude Music -- Pastor John
Praying & Sharing Leader -- Carolyn Keck
  If there is a problem with the monthly listing of Those Who Serve please notify the church office so that it can be corrected when we publish the weekly worship materials.
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Conversations Around the Table 2018

February 21
6:30 pm to 9:00pm

Fellowship and Tapas

Discussion of
Christianity after Religion
(pages 65 to 136)

Meet in the Bangsund Room

Pastor John's
Dinner and Study 2018

March 07
6:30pm to 8:00pm

Bring your own dinner

Viewing of
Native Peoples of North America
(Sessions 4 to 6)

Meet in the Bangsund Room


Progressive Theology Dialogue 2018

February 27
6pm until 8pm

Jesus and his Jewish Influences
with
Professor Jodi Magness

Sessions 4 to 6

Please read through the material for the evening in the course outline prior to class

Meet in the Bangsund Room



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Happy Birthday
in
February!
February 20 -- Kay Divine
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Flower Donors
(February)

02/04 -- Date is Available -- no one signed up

02/11 -- Carolyn Keck -- in celebration of Betka's birthday

02/18 -- No flowers during Lent

02/25 -- No flowers during Lent
Sanctuary Lamp Donors
(February)

02/04 -- Dewain Delp -- in memory of Adam Walks Between Worlds

02/11 -- Leslie Stobbe -- change us into beautiful, spiritual beings

02/18 -- Evan Dowling -- in memory of Warren and Edna Dowling

02/25 -- Evan Dowling -- in memory of Maria Perez
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Sister Parish Support
(February)
02/04 -- Lisa Paulsen -- celebrating the children of Rwanda

02/11 -- Lisa Paulsen -- in celebration of her mother-in-law

02/18 -- Pastor John -- in celebration of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison

02/25 -- Lisa Paulsen -- for love
"Tree of Life" near Sister Parish
February 2018 Calendar



February 01
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • Pastor John - Book Study (Angels Camp)
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 6:30pm - ESL Classes in sanctuary

February 02
  • Groundhog Day
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • Office Closed 

February 03
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • All Day - Members Pray for Members

February 04
  • Rosa Parks Day Observance
  • 5th Sunday After the Epiphany
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • Special Benevolence/Ministry Offering - Spaghetti Dinner Ministry
  • Recycling Collection -- Bring your aluminum cans and plastic bottles
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship Time
  • 11:45am - Pack Food Bags

February 05
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 3:00pm - Announcements due

February 06
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 6:30pm - ESL Classes in sanctuary

February 07    
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)

February 08    
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 6:30pm - ESL Classes in sanctuary

February 09 
  • Pastor John on Study Leave
  • Office Closed 

February 10 
  • 9:00am - Praying and Sharing
  • 12:00pm - Relating Decorating and Garnishing SGM meeting
  • 2:00pm - Food Pantry
  • 2:00pm - The Closet

February 11  
  • Transfiguration Sunday
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • Health Care/Hygiene Kit Offering
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship Time

February 12
  • Lincoln's Birthday
  • Pastor John Day Off
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 3:00pm - Announcements due

February 13  
  • Pastor John Morning & Early Afternoon Off
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 3:00pm - Office Staff Meeting
  • 5:00pm - Music Staff Meeting
  • 6:30pm - ESL Classes in sanctuary

February 14
  • Ash Wednesday
  • Valentine's Day
  • Pastor John Morning & Early Afternoon Off
  • Office Closed after 11:00am for Ash Wednesday
  • 6:00pm - Ash Wednesday Service

February 15  
  • Pastor John Morning & Early Afternoon Off
  • Chrysalis Deadline
  • 11:00am - Pastor John - Solano Wedding in San Francisco
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)Chrysalis Deadline for February issue
  • 6:30pm - Business Leadership Team Meeting
  • 6:30pm - ESL Classes in sanctuary

February 16
  • Pastor John Early Morning & Late Afternoon Off
  • Office Closed
  • 5:15pm - Pastor John - Duh Wedding in San Francisco

February 17
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off

February 18
  • 1st Sunday in Lent
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • Food Pantry Offering
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship
  • 11:45am - Pack Food Bags
  • 1:00pm - Out & About (a movie?) (time approximate)

February 19
  • President's Day
  • Office Closed for President's Day Holiday
  • 3:00pm - Announcements due

February 20
  • 9:00am - Pastor Book Study (Woodland)
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 6:30pm - ESL Class in sanctuary
February 21
  • Pastor John Morning and Early Afternoon Off
  • All Day -- ELCA/Episcopal SNAP Prayer Vigil
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 3:00pm - Office Staff Mtg
  • 4:00pm - Pastor John - Conversation Preparation
  • 6:30pm - Conversation Around the Table

February 22
  • Washington's Birthday
  • Pastor John Day Off
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 5:00pm - Pastor John - Union Activity
  • 6:30pm - ESL Class in sanctuary

February 23
  • Pastor John Early Morning & Late Afternoon Off
  • Office Closed

February 24
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • All Day - Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
  • 2:00pm - Food Pantry

February 25
  • 2nd Sunday in Lent
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • The Closet Offering
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship
  • 11:45am - Pack Hygiene Kits for The Closet 

February 26
  • Pastor John Planning Day
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 3:00pm - Announcements due

February 27
  • Pastor John Morning and Early Afternoon Off
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 3:00pm - Office Staff Meeting
  • 4:00pm - Pastor John - Progressive Theology Preparation
  • 6:30pm - Progressive Theology Dialogue
  • 6:30pm - ESL Class in sanctuary

February 28 
  • Pastor John Morning and Early Afternoon Off
  • 2:30pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 6:00pm - Pastor John - Collins Wedding in Oakdale


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Loss is indeed our gain

The pushing and shoving of the world is endless.
We are pushed and shoved.
And we do our fair share of pushing and shoving
in our great anxiety.
And in the middle of that
you have set down your beloved suffering son
who was like a sheep led to slaughter
who opened not his mouth.
We seem not able,
so we ask you to create the spaces in our life
where we may ponder his suffering
and your summons for us to suffer with him,
suspecting that suffering is the only way to come to newness.
So we pray for your church in these Lenten days
when we are driven to denial --
not to notice the suffering,
not to engage it,
not to acknowledge it.
So be that way of truth among us
that we should not deceive ourselves.
That we shall see that loss is indeed our gain.
We give you thanks for that mystery from which we live.
Amen.


--Walter Brueggemann
  HRLC Staff

Revd. John L. Freesemann, Pastor
Rev. Pascal Mugambage, Sister Parish Pastor
Iris Amerson, Administrative Assistant
Richard Urbanek, Musician


Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church | (408) 296-4040 | (408 (296-4044 | HRLC95126@aol.com HRLCSJ.org
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