University Evangelical Lutheran Church
and Campus Ministry
The Lampstand - April 2022
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Our Mission
UELC's Mission:
To Embrace and Share the Love of God in Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit Empowers us.
UELC's Guiding Principles:
Jesus is our Lord and Saviour; therefore, we are to:
- Worship God in inspiring, diverse, and creative ways
- Be a community engaged in spiritual practices that attune us to the Holy Spirit's guidance for our living
- Welcome all people in their diversity to worship, learn, and serve with us
- Be a safe place to learn, explore, and debate
- Be generous stewards of the gifts God has given each of us to bless others and care for the natural world
- Continue outreach to, and further develop connections with, the academic communities of Alachua County
- Affirm human rights and work for social justice
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Pastor's Corner
Life: Cyclic or Progression?
God gives life, God changes life, God takes life, God gives new life.
Through Lent we have been reflecting on Spiritual struggles and growth. We chose to focus on personal spiritual growth during the week, and on Sundays, we continue with a mix of personal, collective and missional witness of the Word and the Holy Spirit as God continues to walk with us at University Evangelical Lutheran Church.
We have learnt a lot in the last two years and we embraced being nimble as we meandered the path of the pandemic and of life or health. “ Is this path of life cyclical or a linear progression?”, many ask. With the recent death of Kathy Brill (see below for Kathy’s obituary), as well as the various degrees of illness we have faced or are facing amongst us, we ask questions like the above. Perhaps some ask questions about the meaning of life, meaning of suffering or sudden loss, or end of life.
Some see life as cyclic: birth, growth, deterioration of the human form, death and rebirth. Hinduism is a major world religion that is simplistically described as being based on that “cycle of life” or “wheel of life” called reincarnation. For us as Christians, that is an extreme example of the belief that life is cyclic, especially since that belief has us come back into human existence as a different form of life or a different person after death.
As Christians we believe in the Resurrection, which we will be celebrating on April 17th this year. It may seem cyclic but it really is a linear progression. I will not go into how other religions, like Hinduism, see life as both cyclical and a progression. We are not trying to make sense of religion but to understand the continuity of Grace through Jesus Christ, even as we navigate uncertainty and seeming interruptions. We are born biologically towards death, and then of the Spirit of God towards eternal life with God. As Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3:3-6:
“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Jesus goes on to teach in verse 16 of the same chapter, 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
It’s not a glib hope, but a certainty. It may not answer our questions about life, death, suffering, sorrow and grief. But it does give us hope for today and for tomorrow. These words may not comfort everyone, but by God’s Grace through the Holy Spirit, may all the words of Jesus and our scriptures, continue to give us hope and the clarity we need in our own struggles as we progress towards eternal life with God and the Saints. Let’s say with hope “Christ is Risen, Alleluia” and believe that even as we die with Him, we are risen with Him also.
In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Terrance
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April Servants
Sunday, April 3
Assisting Minister: Pat Dasler
Altar Guild: Jackie Klein
Ushers: Gene Brandner, Ron Fourman
Sound Assistant: Crystal Jacob
Video Assistant: Joel Beaudry
Sunday, April 10
Assisting Minister: Sharai Jacob
Altar Guild: Joan Anderson
Ushers: John MontMarquette, Ron Gordon
Sound Assistant: Crystal Jacob
Good Friday, April 15
Assisting Minister: Ron Bauldree
Altar Guild: Pat Dasler
Ushers: Ron Fourman
Sound Assistant: Crystal Jacob
Easter Sunday, April 17
Assisting Minister: Sam Borgert
Altar Guild: Jackie Klein
Ushers: Jeanne Chamberlin, Andy Noss
Sound Assistant: Collin Larke
Sunday, April 24
Assisting Minister: Abbey Knappman
Altar Guild: Elaine Manion
Ushers: Roger Springfels, Ron Fourman
Sound Assistant: Sharai Jacob
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Continued Prayer Concerns
Prayers for healing: Cecilia Noss, Babs Dalsheimer, and Kim Gauthier.
Dutch's tree in bloom
(with a customer)
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Kathy Brill Obituary
Kathleen Marie Larson Brill died peacefully at the age of 77 on March 28, 2022 in the company of her husband, Samuel Brill and son, Richard (Rick) Brill at UF Health Shands hospital after a brief illness.
Kathleen (Kathy and Kay) to friends and family was born April 15, 1944 in Minot, North Dakota.
Kathy had a wonderful loving heart but it also had some physical heart problems. She followed her heart surgeon here to Gainesville, FL when she was 19. She got jobs at Shands UF Health, first in medical records, then the autopsy office. She retired in October, 2006 after working for Shands UF Health for about 35 years.
After coming to Gainesville, Kathy met her husband Sam through mutual friends. They were married for over 45 years June 5, 1976. They raised a wonderful son, Richard (Rick).
Sam and Kathy and sometimes Rick enjoyed tent camping and traveling during their vacations. They explored this beautiful country, seeing places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore and also visiting family in Kathy's home town and state in Minot, North Dakota. And they also went to Miami Beach where Sam was from.
Kathy was really active in her church, University Evangelical Lutheran Church. She played her clarinet in the church services and also sang in the choir. She was in charge of the altar guild for church services.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Phyllis Larson. Also, her younger brother David passed away. We were able to go to his funeral in Minot March 25, 2015. Her older brother Richard and his wife Margaret (Peggy) live in Monticello, Illinois. She has many wonderful family members that will always remember her loving heart, including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Both Kathy and Sam also have had and still have one other family member. These were four-legged family of wonderful dogs and cats. Many have gone over the Rainbow Bridge. Our loving and loyal German Shepherd Liberty really misses her mommy.
The memorial service will take place Saturday, April 23, 2022 11 a.m. at University Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL. Pastor Terrance Jacob will be presiding. There will be a gathering with light refreshments right after at the Service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Humane Society of North Central Florida or other animal charities or your other favorite charity.
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Did you know?
Anyone in the congregation who is experiencing financial difficulties due to the ongoing pandemic, please reach out to Pastor. We have a "discretionary fund" that might be able to be utilized to assist those who find themselves in this situation.
UELC Council
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I was able to download some new music that was royalty free and I have been using them as preludes and postludes. The rest of our music remains recordings of our music ministry with Moses Choi as pianist. Our liturgy changed to a Lent Liturgy and will change again for the Easter Season.
I am happy to report that we interviewed an impressive UF student, Jose Lora, who has accepted the pianist job at UELC. He will attend Church on Easter Sunday to meet you all, but will begin playing the following Sunday. Jose is a student at UF with two majors, Civil Engineering and Music. He was referred to us by Moses Choi at the end of 2020 and we were not able to hire him because we were on Covid lock down. His piano teacher at UF, Jasmin Arakawa, recommended Jose for this job.
I am so happy that the sound tech roster has been working well so far. The team is Joel Beaudry, Colin Larke, Sharai Jacob and me; we hope to have Melissa Singer join our team soon. The video team includes Joel, Colin and Dan Norford. We hope to add more volunteers soon.
Blessings,
Crystal
Minister of Music, for Worship Committee.
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Offering Direct Deposits
It is Sunday morning and you are on your way to church. Part way there you remember you have not written a check for the offering plate.
It is another Sunday morning and you are sitting in the sanctuary you write a check and slowly you attempt to remove your check from your check book as quietly as possible.
It is another Sunday at church and you realize that your offering check and envelope remain at home on your dresser.
These are some of the ways that the use of direct deposit helps UELC to receive consistent income to pay its bills.
If you wish to learn more about the use of direct deposit, contact Jim Yale to get set up.
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Asylum Support Fund
THANK YOU to UELC members for recent contributions in support of the family from El Salvador seeking safety and U.S. asylum here in Gainesville. The following note was received:
On behalf of the Holy Trinity Immigrant Ministries (HTIM), I want to thank you for your very generous gift of $740. Working with Estafani, Carlos, and their three children has been a rewarding experience for all of us. Because of the generosity of so many in the community, we have been able to bring the family to Gainesville, pay for Carlos's expedited application for a work permit, purchase cell phones and service for the parents, purchase baby formula for baby Roberto, and pay the family $400/month for groceries and living expenses.
Once again, thank you so much for your support of this important ministry.
Very sincerely,
Richard Powell
Chair, HTIM
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Love in Action
Sunday April 3rd: 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (106 SW Third Street)
The program weaves music and mission focused on Matthew 25. This novel event will highlight local ministries supported by people of faith in our Gainesville community. Among them are Gainesville Community Ministry and Baker Interfaith Friends.
YOU ARE INVITED to come and hear the First Presbyterian Choir, instrumentalists, and thoughtful readings.
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LIFT
Due to the Covid pandemic LIFT (Lutherans In Fellowship Together) has not met for its monthly potluck luncheons for the past two years. We plan on restarting the luncheons by the summer of this new year. Of course, that depends on a lessening of the impact that Covid-19 and it many variants have on our lives. Let us all be responsible and stay safe.
Ron Bauldree
LIFT coordinator
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Young Adult Ministry
Campus/Young Adult Ministry weekly meetings on Thursdays, 5:30-7:00.
Young Adult and Student Ministry continues to meet by Zoom and are studying the Bible.
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Adult Forum
Adult Forum is not meeting for now.
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The Bee
The Bee again donated 24 fleece throws and 30 books to be given to students at Parker Elementary through the Guidance Office. These Book/Blanket Bags are greatly appreciated. They were able to give them out to the students just before Spring Break!
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Village of Hope
A special thank you to those who have already renewed by either paying for the year or continuing monthly giving.
The goal is still 22 for 2022. This is a reminder to those who have been sponsors in the past but haven’t renewed as yet. As always, new sponsorships are most welcome!
Renewals will continue through the month of April. It is still $40 a month or $480 for the year. Checks are written to UELC with the notation VOH sponsorship on the memo line and placed in the offering. UELC will be sending a check to VOH in May.
Documentation of your gifts are reflected on the statements you receive from UELC.
Janet Janke, Lazarus Project Coordinator at University Lutheran Church
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Our Pastor and Staff
Pastor Terrance Jacob
Pastor, Congregation and Campus Ministry
Crystal Jacob
Minister of Music (Direct Choir and music-related ministries)
Evelyn Simmons
Administrative Assistant
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