Published monthly by Holy Cross Lutheran Church

From the pastor . . .

              The gospel text read today from Luke 4:14-21 in worship (January 24) depicts Jesus in the synagogue in Nazareth, his home town.  He read from the book of Isaiah these words:  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (vs. 18-19)  After reading these words, Jesus rolled up the scroll, sat down in the seat set aside for the one who would teach that day.  All eyes were on him.  He spoke these simple words:  “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (v. 21) 

            I think we can take great courage and comfort in this passage.  It seems particularly important to us right now.  Because we believe that Jesus is among us in the present and in every present moment, we can take great comfort in this proclamation from Jesus.

All of us have been watching the gut wrenching reports from Haiti.  Haiti has suffered perhaps the worst calamity in its history.  The recent powerful earthquake happened right under their capital city, Port-Au-Prince, the most populated city in the country.   It has been a devastating event.  There have been staggering figures passed on to us about the deaths, the injured, those hospitalized and those waiting in line with horrendous injuries to be treated, the countless homeless, many of whom are moving to temporary tent camps.  There has been frustration over how much time it is taking to get needed water and food to these traumatized people.  Doctors and nurses have worked tirelessly with scarcely any medical supplies to treat the injured.   Yesterday I read a report that the rescue effort has been called to a close.  After eleven days of tireless work, the rescuers have pulled out from the rubble 133 people since the quake.  It is a small number as compared to the estimated 200,000 lives lost.

            That is part of what we watch.  We also watch the Mother Teresa’s of the world.  Even before the earthquake of last week, there were 10,000 nongovernmental organizations working in Haiti, the highest number per capita in the world except for India. (1)  These organizations, already established, are organized to receive support from around the world and bring about recovery and restoration to the people of Haiti.  Our Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Disaster Relief are among those organizations that have been established in Haiti.  They were set up before the quake to offer much needed assistance. 

            Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.  As an article from Time Magazine says, “Tragedy has a way of visiting those who can bear it least…a nation already on its knees has been knocked to the ground.” (2)  One could say that Haiti was a public-health disaster even before this powerful earthquake.  No Haitian city has a public sewage system; nearly 200,000 people live with HIV or AIDS, and just half of Haitian children are vaccinated against basic diseases like diphtheria and measles.  The quake will make things unimaginably worse.  The first priority will be clean water.  With drinking water distribution systems destroyed -- and survivors crammed into camps without sanitation -- water supplies could quickly become contaminated.  That could lead to rapidly spreading waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery that can sweep through refugee camps. 

            With adequate aid, however, the worst might be averted.  The world now rarely sees major outbreaks of infectious disease in the wake of disasters.  Even in the case of the 2004 tsunami, which killed more than 200,000 people, a rapid and thorough response headed off what could have been a huge post disaster death toll.  Indeed, the sheer amount of international attention on Haiti might ultimately improve its public health system -- as occurred in the Indonesian province of Aceh after the tsunami. (4)

            As I observe the calamity in Haiti from my comfortable and safe living room, I observe the spirit of Christ in so many who are lending a hand.  The armed forces in great numbers, the rescue teams, doctors, nurses, technicians, and volunteers, the religious relief organizations, the Red Cross, UNICEF and countless other.   They are working tirelessly in the fashion of Mother Teresa.  I remember seeing one doctor who told a reporter, “I don’t have time to talk to you.  There is so much to do.”

            That spirit to lend a hand in some way seems to have caught up with all of us.  The ladies at Holy Cross who work year round on quilts and kits for Lutheran World Relief want desperately to send the quilts that are finished and the health kits and layettes boxed and ready to go, straight away to Haiti.  If we just knew how to get it there in an expedient way.  Folks have stopped by the office and told me they have sent their gift of money to Lutheran World Relief or Lutheran Disaster Relief, the Red Cross and the like.  Everyone seems to be catching the helping spirit.  Our two former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have started a relief foundation in partnership with one another.  Famous entertainment stars have held a televised huge benefit for Haiti relief.  That event alone earned $57 million.  Aide is pouring in from all around the world.  Haiti has indeed captured our attention!   That in itself is a good thing.

            Jesus used the words of Isaiah to tell the people who he was: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)  Those words are now our words.  They describe who we are as Christians.

            The price for Haitians has indeed been high; the loss and grief absolutely unbelievable.  Yet, the promise of redemption and relief is altogether possible for Haiti.  We each have a part to play in that redemption.  We, who know that Christ lives on in us can do no other but to respond with ready and willing hearts to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and at long last to let the oppressed go free.

                The Lord Bless You and Keep You,

                                Pastor Magdalene 

LENT 2010

The Holy Gospel According to St. John

Jesus Says, "I AM"

Holy Cross, Austin                                 Good Shepherd, Bastrop

 The focus of Wednesday evening worship during Lent, 2010, for both Holy Cross and Good Shepherd will be the "I AM" sayings of Jesus in John's account of the gospel.  Pastors Mag and Charles will share worship leadership by exchanging places each week.  Come, be a part of a unique and fresh look at who Jesus is as his mission is revealed in his voice telling all who will listen, "I AM!"

Lenten Worship Schedule

HCLC, Austin                                                       GSLC, Bastrop

   7:00 p.m.                                                                   6:30 p.m.

Pastor Mag             Ash Wednesday                   Pastor Charles

Pastor Charles        Wed., Feb. 24                      Pastor Mag

("I am… the bread")                                           ("I am ...the door")

Pastor Mag             Wed., March 3                    Pastor Charles

("I am …the door ")                                            ("I am...the bread")

Pastor Charles        Wed., March 10                  Pastor Mag

("I am … the light")                                            ("I am …the vine")

Pastor Mag             Wed., March 17                  Pastor Charles

("I am … the vine")                                            ("I am… the light")

Pastor Charles        Wed., March 24                  Pastor Mag

("I am…the shepherd")                               ("I am...the shepherd")

During Holy Week each congregation will be served by their respective pastors.

Maundy Thursday                                              Maundy Thursday

April 1, 7:00 p.m.                                               April 1, 6:30 p.m.

 Good Friday                                                        Good Friday

April 2, 2:00 p.m.                                               April 2, 6:30 p.m.

          & 7:00 p.m. 

CHILDREN’S SPOT – Summer Events

Children’s Message – The children’s sermon is back! Pastor Mag has agreed to incorporate a children’s message into the Sunday service…so long as there are children in church!

“GOD LOVES EVERYBODY”

A reflection by Amanda Kallstrom-Fuqua & Chris Fuqua

“God loves everybody”…such seemingly simple words that many of us take for granted. We rarely, if ever, doubt that we are among the “everybody” to which the statement refers. After walking in the PRIDE parade this year, those words took on a whole new meaning, as I came to realize that many in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) population have not been afforded the opportunity to experience that statement with the confidence all of God’s children deserve.

It is difficult to put into words the emotional experience of carrying the “God Loves Everybody – Holy Cross Lutheran” sign in the PRIDE parade and witnessing bystanders’ reactions to the sign. What might be such simple words to most of us, were clearly so powerful for those attending the parade. Their faces were visibly overcome with relief, gratitude, reassurance, happiness, and a sense of peace. It was amazing to me how long some of the people “took in” the sign, at what seemed to be a spiritual and emotional moment for many of them. The experience felt dreamlike and surreal and was emotionally overwhelming, bringing tears to our eyes. Many people asked us to stop so they could take a picture of the sign, while others yelled in support of the sign or raised their arms in cheer of the words. Others, such as an older gay couple I saw standing arm in arm, just nodded quietly with a sense of acceptance on their faces. I imagine for that particular couple, seeing those words in reference to the GLBT population in a public place has been a long time coming.

Upon reflection of this experience, there have been many emotions ranging from sadness to hopefulness to anger/frustration to pride. It saddens me that so many in the GLBT population doubt those words or feel excluded from them, but I feel hopeful by the looks on their faces that in time they will come to believe the truthfulness of these words and also that more and more Christians will act in a way to help GLBT people feel included in God’ family. Of course, there is still anger and frustration that there are so many Christians who convey a lack of acceptance to GLBT people. Upon further reflection, it became evident that, as a Christian, it is necessary to have patience with other Christians who are still discovering what the words “God loves everybody” really mean. Sometimes the journey of trying to be Christ-like causes Christians to be judgmental and uncompromising, which is hopefully not the end game, but maybe a part of the growth of coming to accept those who are different. That being said, I felt so much PRIDE to be among the Holy Cross group carrying the sign in that parade, offering people the opportunity to experience acceptance. I felt PRIDE when they announced “Holy Cross Lutheran Church” several times over the loud speaker as we walked past the main strip, to which bystanders responded with cheer. I feel PRIDE that our congregation has taken a step forward in our growth toward acceptance of all and I encourage all of you to walk in the PRIDE parade next year, as part of your own spiritual growth. Our display of acceptance and love to all people is one of the most Christian things we can do.

Cemetery Lots for Sale

Holy Cross Lutheran Church was gifted with 2 Lawn crypt spaces, which include a granite base and vase in Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville.  Described as VET III Lot 146 spaces 1&2 (with Crypts). Crypts have moisture protection with drainage system in place.  $3000.00 for both.  (512) 892-0516.