As many of you know, Pastor Dan, Cora, and I are in Florida this week for a wedding. Pastor Dan and I are co-officiating and Cora is just along for the ride. And what a ride it has been!! Hurricane Matthew has been working his way toward Jacksonville and is expected to hit right around the time this Vistas is sent. Jacksonville is also where the wedding is taking place.
So far, since we have been here, the beautiful outdoor space that the happy couple lovingly selected as the place they would like to say “I do” (well over a year ago) has been evacuated and their reservation with them has been canceled. That same spot was supposed to house their reception. Likewise, the florist has been evacuated from the floral shop. The bride’s out of town family have been evacuated from their hotel (don’t worry, they are safely and comfortably in another hotel!). Flights upon flights have been canceled leaving wedding-guest-hopefuls across the country stranded.
The situation is not ideal. It has been extremely stressful for the fiancé and fiancée.
But in the midst of it all, I have been reminded of the blessing that is membership in the body of Christ. You see, when the wedding venue called the bride to cancel she called me to ask if I would reach out to the ELCA churches in Jacksonville to see if any of them would be willing and able to open their sanctuary up for this displaced wedding. So, I called. And I was overwhelmed by the loving welcome I received from the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Rev. Robert Kinley. He was not only willing and able, but eager to help. He was warm and loving, even helping schedule the rehearsal around the weather channel’s predictions. He took the time to meet with the bride and groom to show them the church building and assured them that even in the absence of electrical power, they could accommodate their wedding.
And they were not the only ones! The people of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Jacksonville and their interim pastor offered their sanctuary, time, and energy as well. It was beautiful. It made me so grateful for the unity of the church, because these pastors (and their congregations) have never met me and had never met the bride or groom, but in the face of calamity, they seized the opportunity to proclaim the radical welcome of the gospel of Christ Jesus with their actions.
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” St. Marks and Trinity Lutheran used other words, but the message was the same: their place of worship is open to those who are weary and burdened, in need of rest.
On Sunday, when Bibles are presented to the families of Mt. Carmel’s three year olds and third graders, you all will give thanks to God that in our baptisms Jesus unites us with the whole body of Christ and thousands of miles away that unity will be being enacted this weekend. Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Pastor Valerie
P.S. Please take a moment to pray for all those living in the path of Hurricane Matthew!
Pastors' Contact Info:
Pastor Valerie
805-776-3377
pastor.valerie.carlson@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays (11am-1pm) and Thursdays (12:30-3:00pm)
Pastor Dan
805-776-3707
pastor.dcarlson@gmail.com
Last weekend was our Blessing of the Animals service! It was a beautiful morning to be reminded of the glory of God's creation and creatures...whether they be small, big, fluffy, bald, or pink! Thank you to all who helped make this special outdoor service happen.
This Sunday: No Adult Forum
Join us next Sunday, Oct. 16th, when Pastor Valerie will begin the series "Living a Lutheran," discussing Lutheran practice and theology. Come and learn more about us as we get ready for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.
Youth Sunday School Announcements & Needs:
1. "Bible Sunday" this weekend at both services.
2. CAT meeting will be at 12:15pm this Sunday in the Bible Room
3. Sunday School resumes at 10am with "Holy Moly" Abraham and Sarah have a baby, What is his name? Celebration of Birthdays.
4. We are in need of two teachers: We are looking for 2 teachers for Sunday School to team-teach. A teacher for Pre-school - kindergarten age and another teacher for 1st and 2nd grades.
5. Children's Church volunteers: 2 volunteers are needed for the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month during the ll:00am service.
6. Snacks for Sunday School: We need help! If you can donate or help distribute snacks for Sunday School (at 10:30 am for about 20-25 children), there is a sign-up board in the Sunday School Gathering area.
If you feel called to help out in any of these CAT areas, but have questions about the commitment, please give John Keisler a call 543-4259 or e-mail rebjohn50@hotmail.com. Thank you!
Please join the Book Group in reading Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End (2014) by Atul Gawande. Best selling author and surgeon, Gawande, talks about the limitations of the medical profession, arguing that the “quality of life is the desired goal for patients and families.”
We will meet on October 23rd, at 6:00 pm at Pat Ramsay’s home for engaging discussion. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sheryl Huffaker (shuffaker@att.net).
Mt. Carmel's Social Action Team invites you to join us in our annual food collection for Eglesia Lutherana Santa Cruz.
This small Mission Church in Santa Maria serves the farm field workers. When the weather is bad they can't work in the fields so they don't make a salary to feed their families. Mount Carmel and the other churches in our conference help by stocking their pantry. The pastor of their congregation has requested specific food items to be included. We'd like to have the pantry supplied before Thanksgiving Day and your help has always been fabulous, so thank you for joining us again this year.
Dates and Items Needed:
Sun. Oct. 16: Beans (pink or pinto)
Sun. Oct. 23: White rice
Sun. Oct. 30: Wheat flour
Sun. Nov. 6: Canola oil
Sun. Nov. 13: Juice all flavors
Please direct questions to Pat Forrest at 541-4799
God bless!
It was announced last Sunday that Ingrid has decided to resign her position at Mt. Carmel so that she can pursue her teaching career (at present she is working as a Kindergarten teacher). Ingrid has been a member of the Mt. Carmel staff for the past 10 year as our Director of Children and Teen Ministries. We will all miss her but wish her the very best as she seeks out this new career. We also want to say a big THANK YOU for all that she has done for our youth ministry here. She is certainly leaving big shoes to fill.
Church Doors:
Please remember to firmly shut exterior doors! If you are the last to leave, please make sure the church is locked.
Thanks for your help!
One Weekend, Two Retreats!
October 14-16th
2 more openings for the Women's Retreat! Invite your friends for an amazing weekend! Registration will continue after each Sunday service.
The theme this year is, “Treasured Hearts.” Hear the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as we engage in what it means to treasure the amazing promises of God in our hearts. Our speaker will be Pastor Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, Associate and Campus Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, Glendale. It will be held at La Casa de Maria, Oct. 14 – 16.
Total cost; $240, includes lodging, meals and program. $80 deposit due at registration, with second payment, $160, due 8-14-16. Cancellation – $100 penalty.
*For those of you who haven’t paid the balance of your Retreat weekend, there will be a table on the patio after each service to take your final payment.
Questions? Nancy Priddy, 459-9249
This Years Men's Advance theme is "The Masculine Journey" featuring Rev. Greg Ronning, Mission Developer and Pastor at "The Table," and former Campus Pastor at Texas Lutheran University.
Through individual reflection on the stories of Jacob, Paul and Jesus, pastor Ronning will be our guide seeking what it means to be men of faith.
Cost: $150 per person; includes 5 meals, 2 socials and a powerful time of personal growth through bible study, music, fellowship and recreational activities at El Camino Pines Lutheran Camp.
For further information www.mens-advance.org or contact John Keisler, 805 543-4259, rebjohn50@hotmail.com
"Martin Luther and the Reformation Tour"
June 19-30, 2017
Join Bishop Guy Erwin and Pastor Russ Gordon for a 12-Day tour of Germany and the sites associated with Martin Luther in the 500th anniversary year of the Reformation. Visit Wittenberg, Erfurt, Wartburg Castle and much more. Consider adding the 5-Day optional Post-Tour of beautiful Bavaria.
*Brochures are in the narthex or call Pastor Russ at 544-3502 for more information.
You still have a chance to come hear some amazing voices and music! Opera SLO will continue rehearsing for La Boheme here at Mt. Carmel a few more days (through Monday, Oct. 10th). You are invited to stop by any time (from 10am-10pm) to listen to the different sections practice and perform in Quist Hall. Show your support for our local arts here at church or in purchasing tickets to the real thing!
Our nursery will be unstaffed this weekend...Hannah is out of town, celebrating her grandfather's 80th birthday! We apologize for any inconvenience.
Since it's Pastor Appreciation Month (HOORAY!), we thought we'd give you some specific ways on a daily basis in October to be praying for and supporting Pastor Valerie and Pastor Dan, and pastors and our church as a whole. Since we're already a week into October, we have some catching up to do! :)
Oct. 7- Pray for Pastor Valerie and Dan's family, and blessings on their new home
Oct. 8- Meet a church member for lunch or coffee and pray together for our pastors
Oct. 9- Send our pastors a small gift card for coffee, lunch, or a bookstore
Oct. 10- Pray for future pastors who are studying at seminary right now
Oct. 11- Pray for Pastor Valerie and Dan's safe travels home from Florida
Oct. 12- Offer to wash our Pastors cars, or bring them a meal (since they haven't unpacked their kitchen yet)!
Oct. 13- Ask our pastors if there is anything specific you can do for them
