A Farewell Message from Paul...and Pastor Ken
In Acts 20:13-38 we read about the apostle Paul saying goodbye to the Ephesian church. It was about 58 C.E. and he was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem.
But before leaving, he gave them quite a speech about his ministry - a final report of sorts - and his future expectations for himself and the church in Ephesus. He spoke of trying to serve the church in all humility for over three years, of tears and trials along the way, of preaching, teaching, and testifying. He spoke of an uncertain future ahead of him and not knowing what was going to happen to him once he reached his destination. He said that some of the folks in Ephesus might never see his face again.
Finally, he closed with some admonitions. Above all, he told the "flock" in Ephesus to take care of each other. To watch out for one another. To help the weak. To remember the words of Jesus: "It is better to give than to receive."
At the close of my five years here in Gainesville and as part of First Lutheran I want to take this opportunity to share some parting words. While I am no apostle Paul, I am thankful for our time together and would like to share a bit about my future expectations as well.
Thank you for being my first call. On June 7, 2015 I was ordained at First Lutheran's altar. While I have only served in a part-time capacity as I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Florida, you have been full-time servants of grace to me in this time. You have encouraged me along the way, respected my boundaries, given me opportunities to preach, teach, and lead, and given me grace in my times of trial and tears. For this, I am eternally grateful. You have set the bar very high for any potential future churches in my life and ministry. I am thankful you were my FIRST (see what I did there?).
I also know that many of you have been asking me, "what's next?" After defending my Ph.D. dissertation in mid-April I will be around for a few more weeks continuing my work with college students, teaching the Sacred Duty series, and serving in other capacities with preaching, teaching, and digital ministry. May 12th will be final sermon and time of worship with you all. Then, a couple of days later I will spend a few weeks with Paula in Jordan, where she has been working, living, and studying the past year. Upon our return in June we will go on a cross-country tour where I will be teaching, preaching, and speaking in Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, and Minnesota. In August, Paula and I will relocate to Germany. Paula will be pursuing her master's degree in her heimat (homeland) and I will continue my work in writing, teaching, and talking about religion in both academic and public circles and communities.
As of right now, my calling as a pastor is uncertain. Paula and I will find a church to be a part of where we settle in Germany, but I will most likely not serve as a pastor for some time. I ask that you keep this process of discernment, transition, and an uncertain future in your prayers. Somewhat like Paul on his way to Jerusalem, I can say that "I am not sure what will happen to me" where we are going next. I mean, he faced imprisonment and death...but you get what I am saying.
Of a few things I am certain: we will stay in touch with First Lutheran and I hope our paths will cross again (the Lutheran world is small and creepy enough, you never know); you will be in our prayers as you continue in your ministry to Gainesville and the college community; and no matter our respective futures we will always share in the good news of Jesus and the ministry of that gospel we co-participated in over the last few years.
In closing, I'll leave you with the some of the words that the apostle Paul left with the church at Ephesus: "I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
-Pastor Ken
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Prayer Thoughts
"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and
peace as you trust in Him, so that you may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
"Blessed is the person who makes the LORD his trust." Psalm 40:4 "To those with fearful hearts, God says 'do not fear; your God will come.'" Isaiah 35:4 "Do not fear, for God says 'I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My Righteous Right Hand.'" Isaiah 41:10 "The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is your stronghold in time of trouble." Psalm 37:39 "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:5-6 "In quietness and trust is your strength." Isaiah 30:15 "Be silent before the Sovereign LORD." Zephaniah 1:17 "Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your heart." Hebrews 4:7 "Jesus said, 'My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of the Father's hand.'" John 10:27-29 "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit.... It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 "To the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." Titus 2:11
"Let us walk in the light of the LORD." Isaiah 2:5 "For we are the light of the world. Let us pray that our lights will so shine before men that they will be drawn to the joy, peace, and hope we have in God our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Let our light so shine to glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
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The Book of Job:
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord!
One of the Bible's greatest wisdom books is the book of Job. This Lent we will explore this magnificent composition that is numbered among the greatest literature of all time. Nine sermons will help us dig deeply into Job's central message and supporting truths, while six adult Bible classes will further address the book's major topics and themes.
We all suffer-personally and privately. We also suffer in more public ways. A husband loses a job. A child gets divorced. A parent dies. And now, thanks to the media, we are able to see and experience more and more of the world's catastrophes and suffering. We need the book of Job, now, more than ever.
Martin Luther asserted that "Job is magnificent and sublime as no book of Scripture." Others have called Job "the Shakespeare of the Bible." The early Christian scholar Jerome perhaps put it best when he called the book of Job an "eel," since the more one tries to contain it, the slipperier it becomes! The purpose of our Lenten emphasis is to learn how to apply Job to our lives so that the book becomes less like an eel and more like a loving companion through life's dark valleys. Preaching plans are as follows:
Fifth Sunday in Lent-
God Speaks in the Storm
(Job 38:1-11)
Maundy Thursday-
On Earth Is Not His Equal!
(Job 41:20-34)
Good Friday-
Tearing Down the Spite House
(Job 42:7-9)
The Resurrection of Our Lord-
I Know That My Redeemer Lives! (Job 19:23-26)
Job's most famous statement appears in 19:25, "I know that my Redeemer lives." Christ is alive. He has conquered death and the grave. His word is sufficient. His grace is enough. His love brings comfort and healing. And this Lent these gifts come to us through the book of Job.
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During Lent, we will be doing a sermon series on the book of Job. There is so much more to the book than the sermon series can cover. For those of you who wish to go deeper, you have the option of reading the texts that we will preach on each Sunday. Then, answer the questions. Please dialog with other members.
Job is a challenging book to readers, ancient and modern. There is much repetition and plenty of hard passages. It wrestles with the question as to whether people serve God because of rewards, or out of loving gratitude. In other words, the question is not, "Why do the righteous suffer?" The question is, "Why are the righteous pious?"
Come to church every week for growth and guidance. God the Holy Spirit bless your reading of Job.
For Fifth Sunday in Lent
Read Job 38:1-11 and answer these questions:
1. Why do you think God waited so long to answer Job?
2. Job and his friends were curved in on themselves. How do these verses broaden their horizon?
How do they give you perspective?
3. How has God spoken to you in your storms?
For Maundy Thursday
Read Job 41:20-34 and answer these questions:
1. Who is Leviathan?
2. Who has authority and power over this huge monster?
3. How does this victory over evil relate to the Lord's Supper?
For Good Friday
Read Job 42:7-9 and answer these questions:
1. Both Job (while still sitting in the ash heap) and Jesus (while being spiked to a cross) prayed for their enemies.
Who are the enemies you need to pray for?
2. Why is Job's restoration linked to his forgiveness of others? How is your restoration connected to your
forgiveness toward people who have hurt you?
For Easter
Read Job 19:23-26 and answer these questions:
1. Why is this the most important section in the book of Job?
2. What will Job's Redeemer do for him? For you?
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Copies of the Job Lenten Reading List are available in the Narthex.
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Miriam Circle
Miriam Circle will meet at 10:00 on Tuesday morning, April 9th, in the church library. Come join us for a cup of coffee ... or a bottle of water if you don't drink coffee : ) ... fellowship, and Bible study. Our study will be "Caring for the Body of Christ" from the Spring Lutheran Woman's Quarterly, which will be available at the meeting if you don't already have one. Miriam Circle will be done in plenty of time for you to go to OWLS following it.
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The children had a wonderful time at the Lent program. A big Thank you to the Spillane's for cooking a beautiful meal and to the youth group for helping with the activities. This month we will be learning about Jesus his death and resurrection, weather, spring and gardening. We are co-hosting with FLC an evening Easter Egg Hunt on Thursday April 18 @ 5:30 and invite our Open Arms families to attend FLC's Maundy Thursday Service. I would like to thank everyone who donated to the Open Arms teacher wish list. The K-cups are a big hit among the staff, and it keeps them going all day.
Blessings,
Ms. Angie
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OWL's
OWLS next meeting is April 9 @ 12 noon. Come and join us for a meal and games. This month we will have the VPK kids from Open Arms joining us and they will be bringing their own lunches (since they are not able to have any home cooked meals). How about we bring a lunch too or order a box lunch from Honey Baked Ham. There will be a sign up sheet in the back of the church for anyone wanting to order from them and someone will pick them up.
We have also planned an outing for April 14 to go to Lakeridge Winery for the Blues and Wine Festival. We will meet at church at 10 AM and carpool there for a day of fun and food. There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex and friends are invited.
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GOD WINK
Our April project for Lake Forest Elementary is for teacher appreciation.
Gifts such as gift cards for Starbucks or restaurants, a nice pen, note cards, candies, or chocolates. A
box will be in the narthex for all April donations. Thank You!
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Tuesday Tasters
This month we will be going to Mexico Lindo on April 16 (the 3rd Tuesday of the month) at our usual time of 11:30am.
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Gainesville Community Ministry Food Drive
We will finally begin to support regular food drives for Gainesville Community starting again in April. I hope many of our members will participate. We usually have the food drives every 3 months, but I was not able to lead the past few months. I feel ready to start again.
Boxes to fill will be available on Sunday April 7, along with the usual request for appropriate items to fill the boxes.
Each person will be given a flyer with the list of food needs, and a date to return your filled box to the church for delivery by us to Gainesville Community Ministries. They will then take care of the distribution to needy families. If you feel you cannot fill all the needed supplies you are welcome to bring what you can afford, and we will take those as well to GCM. They use it to fill needs for smaller families. The boxes generally are for a family of 4 for two days.
I know GCM appreciates the things we can do to help their clients.
Judy Helling
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A Friendly Study of the World's Religious Traditions
You've got your Muslim neighbor, your Hindu coworker, your agnostic niece, and your "spiritual-but-not-religious" running buddy.
What do you make of all this religious diversity? Where can you start to learn in a compassionate, but critical, way that helps you understand more about religious traditions other than your own?
Look no further than "A Sacred Duty: A Friendly
The series is led by Rev. Ken Chitwood, Ph.D. candidate with the University of Florida's Department of Religion and Center for Global Islamic Studies and invited guests.
7pm at First Lutheran Church
April 2 - Hindu Traditions
April 9 - Buddhist Traditions
April 16 - "Cults," Christian Variants, and New Religious Movements
April 23 - The "Spiritual-But-Not-Religious" and the "Nones"
Light refreshments will be served, but dinner will not be provided. This series is free and open to the public. It will also involve opportunities for experiential visits to get to know our neighbors at Gainesville's many places of worship, devotion, and ritual.
This series will also involve "field trips" for experiential learning opportunities to local synagogues, mosques, temples, and other places of devotion, prayer, ritual, and worship. These events will be held on April 13. More details will be shared during the studies on Tuesday evenings. Please contact Pastor Ken for more details or with your questions or concerns - ken.chitwood@hotmail.com
"The friendly study of the world's
religions is a most sacred
duty." - Gandhi
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Lenten Services 7pm, on Wednesdays:
April 3,10
Maundy Thursday, April 18th
Noon and 7pm
Easter Egg Hunt 5:30-6:30 w/ light snacks
Good Friday, April 19th
Noon and 7pm
Easter, April 21st
Breakfast
7:30-10:00 am
East Egg Hunt 10am
Festival Worship w/Holy Communion
8:30am & 11:00am
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April Event
First Lutheran Youth are headed to St. Augustine at the end of Spring Break! On April 5 and 6 we will be spending time exploring the historic city of St. Augustine and volunteering at St. Francis House. Cost will be approximately $30 - $50 and will include 4-5 St. Augustine experiences, 2 meals, and lodging. Youth will need to bring money for lunch on Saturday an any souvenirs they wish to purchase.
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NightLife
All 7th-12th Grade students are invited to attend NightLife, our weekly Youth Group. At NightLife we eat food, have fellowship, play games, and spend time in the Bible. During the season of Lent we eat a meal together, do an activity, and head over to Lenten Worship together. Our Confirmation students are welcome to join us during Lent for NightLife. NightLife begins at 6:00 pm each week. There will be no NightLife on April 3, 2019.
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Walk with Jesus Event
Join us on Palm Sunday as we walk through Holy Week with Jesus. This is an interactive hands on learning experience for all ages. This Bible Study will take place on Palm Sunday, April 14, at 8:45am. Be sure to join us for donuts at 8:30 am! All ages are invited to participate in this Bible Study.
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Easter Egg Hunts
This year we are holding TWO Easter Egg Hunts and your friends and family are invited to come to both of them! Join us first on Maundy Thursday, April 18, at 5:30pm for an Easter Egg Hunt and light meal. Join us afterwards for worship at 7:00pm. Be sure to also join us on Easter Morning, April 21, for an Easter Egg Hunt between our two Easter Morning services. Children who are in 5th Grade and younger are invited to come for both Easter Egg Hunts.
If you have candy or Easter themed items to donate, please drop it off at the church office with Stephanie or in the donation box in Narthex.
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National Youth Gathering Meetings
The next National Youth Gathering Meeting will be on April 28, 2019, following Sunday Worship. We will be doing a Bible Study, some Group Building, and talking about food and housing at the National Youth Gathering. A Parent Volunteer is needed to help prepare a meal for youth and parents before the meeting begins.
April 28 - Youth NYG Meeting (Parent Volunteer Needed to Cook Lunch)
May 26 - Youth NYG Meeting (Parent Volunteer Needed to Cook Lunch)
June 16 - Youth & Parent NYG Final Details Meeting (6:00pm)
July 7 - NYG Sending in Worship Service
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Open Arms Graduation
Open Arms VPK Students will be graduating on May 31st at 10:00am and you are invited! Please come and support these amazing students who are moving on to the wonderful grade of Kindergarten!
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James and John Rockey serving in a worship service together for the very first time at the Veterans of the Cross retreat earlier in March in Leesburg. Two of many sons of FLC in the ministry!
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B.A.S.I.C Nicaragua Update
In the forthcoming newsletters we will be recognizing some students in Nicaragua. These students are supported by our church or members of our church.
Yasmir is in 2nd year of high school and doing well in Science 93% and has some difficulties with Math 67%
Yariksa enjoys Math getting 98% and her difficulties lie with Physics 70% (goal is civil engineer). She will graduate this year.
Josue also enjoys Math with 96% and has difficulty with English 62%
Kristel and her mom are still living with the grandparents and renting out the house that BASIC built out back for them. Jessica is not working but her brothers are and bring in the only income for the family. We still see her dad at the medical clinic.
Kristel is doing well getting 95% in Literature and English and finds Math hard at 78%.
This is Amparito's final year in school and her goal is to be a therapist. She's getting 100% in English and Physics and 85% in Chemistry which is her hardest class. She is following in her sisters footsteps with excellent marks. Since her sister did not get the scholarship for medical school she changed her focus. Her sister Ninosca is married and is in the pic along with her mother. The pastor is getting a fair bit of work and Suzy uses him when the team builds houses. They had requested some assistance for the daughter in university and Suzy said no, but a bed was bought for the married one as she slept in a single bed with her husband and child.
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