As of May 3, Pastor Candice will have been with us for one year! We are grateful for Pastor Candice’s spiritual guidance, leadership, and the love that she has shown and shared so freely with all of us. We are grateful also to her family for all of the energy they bring to New Life. We consider ourselves blessed, and we look forward to many more years with Pastor Candice and the Combs family.
A Message from Pastor Candice
Dear Friends of New Life,
Last week in worship we learned that Easter People are willing to become a little more vulnerable, just like the disciple Peter when he jumped out of the boat naked! (John 21) This week we hear that Easter People continue the ministry of Jesus, and can expect resurrection and healing in their own lives, just like Peter and Dorcas (Acts 9).
To connect the story of Dorcas to our own lives, we will be invited to receive annointing with oil and the ministry of healing: God's presence and strength during suffering, God's promise of wholeness and peace, God's love embodied in the community of peace. We practice opening ourselves to the ministry of God.
I hope you will join us to experience a beautiful Sunday under the Oaks with the birds and wildflowers. We are looking forward to being together.
Pr. Candice
Celebration of Giving and Service Achievements
Thank you to everyone who generously donated money and time to the Hill Country Ride for Aide New Life Lutheran team. We were able to raise more than $870, share awareness of New Life and HCRA with a broader network of friends and colleagues, and we were represented in the ride on 4/30 by some amazing and dedicated cyclists! It was truly an amazing way to share Christ's love with our neighbors.
In addition, since the beginning of 2022 our New Life community has also:
raised more than 100 lbs of food for Helping Hands
collected 27 bags of garbage from RM12
installed a vegetable garden to grow fresh produce for Helping Hands
collected clothing for approximately 30 children for Foster Village
collected and assembled 30 personal care kits, 1 baby kit and 5 sewing kits for the
Lutheran World Relief Fund
Wow! There will be more opportunities to give and serve coming soon, but for now let's celebrate the Spirit that has been so hard at work within our congregation.
THIS WEEK AT NEW LIFE
Sunday, May 8: Sunday Worship 9:00 AM on the New Life land or Facebook Live Join us for Sunday worship on the New Life land. If you're not comfortable for in-person worship, you can tune in on Facebook Live -- no account needed.
* CLICK HERE for the SignUpGenius link for Sunday tasks
Tuesday, May 10: Coffee In The Community Bible Study 10:00 AM
Le Muse in the Caliterra subdivision Bible study in our local coffee shops. Anyone can join at anytime. 10:00 am on Tuesdays at Le Muse in the Caliterra subdivision.
Excerpt from GOSPEL READING for this week
John 10:27-28 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter
"My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand."
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, May 21: Holy Hike It's a Holy Hike! Great! Wait a sec. What's a Holy Hike? It's a gentle hike for all abilities and ages. We pause occasionally for a sacred story or communion, with lots of time to get off the beaten path to listen and explore. It's a way to embody our outdoor experience and connect. May 21st at 10am, Ranch Park trail. More details to come. Led by Pastor Candice and Pastor Erica Knisely.
Sunday, June 5: Pentecost Party & Brunch Pentecost Sunday June 5th, we are CELEBRATING with breakfast after worship under the Oaks. On this day in worship we will name all the people who have begun worshipping with us as new members (more than 20!) since last Pentecost. It's also the end of the school year, the anniversary of New Life Lutheran.... and the spiritual holiday when we remember Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. Jim Dodrill is coordinating the after worship party.
OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INVOLVED
Peace: Adult Sunday School in May With the present war in Ukraine, we remember that while the church's vocation is to foster peace, it is difficult to maintain. Sometimes taking up arms in support of peace is a necessary concession in a sinful world.
The ELCA has created a series of "Social Statements" for guiding faithful people in a sinful world. The documents aim to teach, inspire, and send Christians into the world to recognize where God's Vision is coming into being, and work to make it happen.
In May we study the ELCA social statement, "For Peace in God's World." Come learn what the Bible says about our calling to make peace and recognize when war is justified. This class will be led to build up our community with trust and respect. We are growing our skills to gather thoughtfully and respectfully around difficult topics. Taught by Pastor Candice.
Now that the season of Lent and Easter are over, the church enters the season called Eastertide. This is a time to remember the way the Resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples and others. During these six weeks time Jesus was still teaching people, giving them strength, understanding, and hope for what is coming in the future. On Pentecost the Resurrected Christ ascends into heaven. Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit Spirit comes to be with those who knew Jesus and with us as those who follow Christ now and in the future.
Help On The Land
Look at the land tasks list on the New Life website to see what needs to be done. You can go anytime. Please let Michael Meinecke know if something is done or needs to be added (his contact info is in the directory) -- if you see anything unusual, please let Michael know, so he can coordinate efforts and respond to questions. Please bring any needed tools and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response is on the scene in Ukraine, and in Eastern Europe, offering assistance with the growing refugee crisis. They provide critical assistance where the world is hurting the most. This is a concrete way you can help make a difference. See elca.org/disaster, for more information and how to donate. Contact Tess Shearer for more info. Let us pray for peace.
WEATHER POLICY We worship outdoors year-round. Please dress for your comfort. When possible, we hold worship under the oaks. In case of persistent rain or cold temperatures (below 55°F) anticipated at the time of worship, we will be in our tent and may have the sides up and heaters on in the winter. See more information on our severe weather policy here.
If there is active lighting in the area, we may delay until a storm passes or cancel worship for that week since the tent does not provide adequate shelter. When possible, someone will be present to let people know, and we may be able to offer car blessings. We will post on the New Life website and Facebook page if worship is delayed or canceled. Please check those places if there are storms in the area.
New Life is an outdoor worshipping church that is active in the Dripping Springs community, serving our neighbors. We pray and do Bible study out in the community, and we care for a piece of the Texas Hill Country which is open to our neighbors for walking, praying the labyrinth, watching wildlife, etc. We worship every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. We do Bible study after worship during the school year, except about once every other month when we make community service part of our liturgy and go out to build relationships with our neighbors together. We welcome you to be part of this community and our mission to share God’s love out in creation and out in our community.
Donate online to New Life's environmentally-focused mission of spreading the Good News of God's great love. Donate via PayPal to "New Life Lutheran Church of Dripping Springs Texas."
