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APRIL 2013  |
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, On Easter the sanctuary at St. Martin's echoed the joyful Easter alleluias. The high holy day of the church year was celebrated with all the festivity that goes with it. Easter has come again and for many that will mean putting away the Easter outfits for another year. The baskets and the plastic eggs will be disposed of and the chocolate bunnies will be consumed. For some the yearly ritual has been satisfied. But, Easter isn't over. As a matter of fact we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord every Sunday for each Sunday is a mini-Easter. Christ's resurrection is an event that not only changed the world for all time but I would hope is an event that continually transforms our individual lives as members of the body of Christ. Easter does make a difference in how we see our world and one another. This is the world that God loves so much that God in Christ was willing to go to the cross and just when it seemed that the world had the last word with the death of Jesus, God spoke a resounding no to death. As I have been meeting with the various zip code groups we have talked about what we do well here at St. Martin's and what we could do better. As most of you know we do many things very well and others we could stand to work on a little bit. One of the items that comes up quite regularly is more outreach to our community outside of our walls. How can we make a difference in the lives of people who are struggling, longing to hear the promise of God's good news for their lives? Feeding those without adequate food such as the homeless and the poor seems to be an important concern for us as a congregation. This fall a new food bank will open on the east side of Austin, sponsored by our Capitol South Conference of the SW Texas Synod. As members of St Martin's we will have the opportunity to not only donate food but also to offer our time as volunteers for those who desire to get involved in this ministry. Of course we also have our ongoing commitment to feed the homeless with sack lunches of non perishable food items. Donations of time and finances are always welcome. Our Easter faith sends us out into the world shouting alleluia Christ is Risen. Sometimes our actions like providing food for the hungry speak louder than words! Francis of Assisi is reported to have said, "proclaim the gospel and use words if necessary." In Christ's name, Pastor Pete
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 April Benevolence: Crosstrails
Thousands are served each year at onsite programs and programs all over Southwestern Texas and the world. Two sites, Lutheran Camp Chrysalis and Ebert Ranch Camp, serve as places of gathering and sending for those who are impacted by this vibrant ministry. New master site plans have been developed for Camp Chrysalis and Ebert Ranch. With exciting new expansions and additions, Cross Trails could serve even more people and provide for the needs of the church well into the future. Many improvements have already been made over the last few years based on gifts and pledges received between 2006 and 2009. The Southwestern Texas Synod has selected Cross Trails as the benefactor of the synod offering in May. With your help, Cross Trails can be debt free. The challenge goal of the 2013 Synod Assembly Offering is to raise $160,000. Please prayerfully consider a gift. |
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Church Directory Photos
It's time for an updated St. Martin's Member Directory and we need your picture to make it complete! All families receive a free 8x10 professional portrait along with a printed directory just for participating. Photo dates are May 15-18 and June 11-15. Sign up in the lobby on Sundays, April 7-21st or Click HERE. |
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 Nursery Group at St. Martin's
St. Martin's invites parents to our informal playgroup for children ages birth to Pre-K. The group meets for fellowship and fun on Tuesdays (offsite) and Thursdays (St. Martin's Nursery) from 10 am to noon.
Tuesday outings: April 2 - Austin Children's Museum
April 9- Zilker Park
April 16 - Central Market
April 23 - Austin Zoo
April 30 - Zilker Botanical Gardens |
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 Apr. 3-24: Bread & Wine Discussion Group
Wednesdays, April 3-24 at 7:00 pm join the Bread & Wine discussion group with Pastor Pete and Candice Combs in Room 230.
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 Apr. 3: Confirmation Night & 8th Grade Parent's Meeting
Weds., April 3 @ 6:30 pm is confirmation Night. Parents of 8th Graders being confirmed in May meet with Pastor Carolyn in the Chapel from 7-8:30 pm.
Events for those being confirmed:
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April 3 |
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. |
8th Grade Meeting in Chapel | |
April 19 |
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. |
8th Grade Retreat | |
May 8 |
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. |
Confirmation Celebration -
LAST CLASS/FAITH STATEMENT DRAFTS DUE | |
May 15 |
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. |
Confirmation Workshop (a.k.a. Dress Rehearsal) | |
May 18 |
6:00 p.m. |
Confirmation Banquet in Fellowship Hall | |
May 19 |
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m. |
Reception in Fellowship Hall
Affirmation of Baptism at Worship |
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 Apr. 3 & 17: MYC at St. Martin's
MYC is a vibrant source of mutual encouragement among women of all ages and stages at St. Martin's. Join us on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Parlor. Dinner is provided and babies and toddlers are welcome! |
 Apr 6: Waterloo Concert - "Broadway"
Waterloo Wind Band is combining forces with several vocalists to present a concert of repertoire drawn from the world of Broadway musicals. Music from Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Annie Get your Gun, The Music Man, Chicago, The Producers and many others will be featured in an array of excerpts from some of the best-loved musicals ever written. Admission is FREE Saturday, April 6 @ 7:30 pm. |
 Apr. 7: Cap 10K
Help us cheer on the runners of the Capitol 10K this year as they pass St. Martin's down 15th street. Give yourself a few extra minutes to get to church on Sunday, Apr. 7. |
 Apr. 7: Adult Ed - "Third Way"Come hear Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, Professor of Christian Ethics and Moral Theology at Seminary of the SW discuss the "Third Way" vision of church, culture, and politics. Take the next step beyond emergent while avoiding the left/right, liberal/conservative divides. Sunday, April 7, 9:45 am in the Fellowship Hall |
 Apr. 8: Thrivent Retirement Workshop
Join special guest speaker Jonathan Doering for this timely workshop on Retirement & Estate Strategies Workshop. Topics include: Alternative options to low-yielding savings vehicles; 2013 tax law changes; tax-advantaged investment strategies; retirement accumulation; multi-generation IRA and charitable planning; increasing the probability of investment success. Monday, April 8, 4:15 pm, Fellowship Hall |
 Apr 9: Saintly Seniors "Music Therapy"
The Saintly Seniors invite everyone to attend their monthly gathering to hear about "Music Therapy" on Tuesday, April 9, 12:00 in the Parlor. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP with JoAnn at 442-8184 or Nell at 243-0437. |
 Apr 13: Habitat for Humanity Build
We need your help with the annual Habitat for Humanity Build on Saturday, April 13 from 8 am- 4pm. St. Martin's will be working on decking, exterior doors and sliding panels for the Gallegos Home at 6803 Lucy Cove in East Austin. Contact Deb Johnson for details - vjohnson72@austin.rr.com |
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 Apr 14, 21, 28: "Awakening to God's Call to Earthkeeping"
Environmental Stewardship Committee Chairs, Mitchell Harrison & Daniella Ochoa, will lead an Earthkeeping Class to encourage, empower, and equip Lutherans in their calling to care for creation every Sunday from April 14 - 28, 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall. |
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 Adult Ed: "First Light"
Join Pastor Pete on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am in the Chapel for "First Light". Everything you wanted to know about Jesus, but forgot to ask. |
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 Apr. 19: Collegium Musicum Concert
"Meter-morphosis: Musical change unto ages of ages" Join Collegium Musicum on an acoustical journey exploring sacred and secular music. We will be singing a vast, stylized repertoire featuring many different languages of the Western world, including Church Slavonic, and performing works by Dufay, Elgar, Tallis, Pärt, and a world premiere.
Friday, April 19 at 7:30 pm. Admission is free. |
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 Apr. 21: Stephen Ministry Commissioning
Join us as we celebrate the commissioning of seven new Stephen Ministers. These newly trained Stephen Ministers have been through months of training equipping them to be ministers of caring to provide support and guidance for those going through life transitions and periods of crisis. If you are in need of a Stephen Minister or if you would like to be a Stephen Minister contact one of the Stephen Leaders, Nancy Mueller, Deb Johnson, Jim Volkema, Leah Pasch or Pastor Pete |
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 Apr. 28 Choir Sunday
At the 11:00 service, St. Martin's Choir and Schola Cantorum will sing. Choral Scholars will be recognized, and our graduating scholars will be honored. We will also recognize and honor our retiring choir members for their years of ministry in song. They will become charter members of our "Choir Emeriti", with opportunities to sing with the choir periodically; and also, of course, they will have access to all the parties! St. Martin's Ringers will also offer a rousing prelude. Greet the choirs and ringers on the mall after the service.
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 "Thank You" from The Friedrich's
Thank you for all of the prayers, cards, and visits for Weldon "Stoney" Friedrich. Special thanks for the beautiful service and reception. So many of you worked to serve our family and friends.
God Bless You,
Iris Friedrich and family |
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 May 11: Spring Potluck Luncheon
Celebrate "Women Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" at the Spring Mother/Daughter/Friend Potluck Luncheon on Saturday, May 11th, 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Childcare provided.
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 May 14-18: Photo Directory St. Martin's needs your help in completing our next member photo directory. Please sign up for a picture time today! Click here
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 May 26: Blessing of the Bikes The Austin cycling community will gather in remembrance of those we've lost on local roadways during Austin's second annual "Blessing of the Bicycles" on Sunday, May 26, at 11 am. The event, which is supported by PLEASE BE KIND to Cyclists, is a chance for people to gather to honor the memory of cyclists we've lost as well as celebrate those who ride on Austin's roadways, in our parks and in our neighborhoods today. |
 June 9-13: Vacation Bible School
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