The Chronicles
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
RR 12 & Spoke Hill Rd
Wimberley, Texas 512-847-3386
Web page: www.welcometonewlife.org
E-mail: Office@welcometonewlife.org
Pastor : Jennifer Fuhr
Office Admin: Colleen Kaye
January 2009
INSIDE: Epiphany Progressive Dinner…Congregational Meeting….Youth Movie Night….Taking
Pictures….Soap Time….Update from Jason Chestnut….Grace Over Pressure….Lots of Thanks…
Dear Friends in Christ,
What beautiful days we have had to enjoy in Texas! These days have given me many opportunities to sit
out on my beautiful back deck and enjoy the sun and warmth. It’s given me lots of time to think, contemplate,
dream and just be. Sometimes those moments can be wonderful while watching the deer roam, hearing the birds
chirp, seeing the squirrels jump from branch to branch. And sometimes these moments can be filled with worry.
Worrying or mulling over what is to come in the next days, months and year. So, maybe there has been too much
time on the back deck for me!! 
Seriously though, have you taken time to sit and think about what is to come in 2009? What are your
dreams and hopes? What do you look forward to in the coming year? I find it very exciting to have no idea what is
to come! To be open to the possibilities and blessings that lie ahead. After all, I had no idea I would be in such a
beautiful part of Texas, serving and working with such great people! It can be exhilarating to not know what’s
going to happen.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an
inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) Have you ever “set out” or “gone
out” in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. There
certainly wasn’t for Abraham. He is one of the gracious examples Scripture give us of living “by faith” and not “by
sight” – living in the light of God’s promises in the present, stepping forward in faith to live. Living by faith is
knowing that every wish will not be fulfilled or that you will always be successful. But it does mean you will live
victoriously.
Living victoriously by faith means we can live secure in the knowledge that we may have absolute trust,
complete confidence, in the promises of God. Living victoriously means being relieved of that death grip of panic
and doubt that can freeze us out of any forward movement. Living victoriously in faith means we are free to
prophesy our way forward in life, empowered to work with every fiber of our being to participate in that prophecy's
birth. Faith in God's promises, faith in God's continued presence - that faith itself is the victory. When we live by
faith, there can be nothing less than a victorious ending.
Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you “go out” in complete surrender to Him until you
are not surprised one iota by anything He does? This is my challenge to myself (and maybe you) for 2009. And
here is the reminder for myself and advice for you.
Continue to examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to “go out” or “set out” in every
area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don’t
know what God is going to do next. Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to
Him. Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to “set out” in dependence upon God, and your life will
have a sacred and inexpressible charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus (and yourself!).
Happy and Blessed New Year to us all!
Pastor Jennifer 
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“It's not dying for faith that's so hard, it's living up to it.” William Thackeray
EPIPHANY PROGRESSIVE DINNER – JANUARY 10TH
Saturday, January 10th beginning at 5:30PM. Appetizer’s begin at Fred and Nancy Carney’s. We
then move to the church’s fellowship hall for the main meal portion of the evening. Our night of
fellowship ends with scrumptious desserts at Brandon and Emily Merkord’s home. You will not want to
miss this enjoyable event!!
A sign up sheet is on the Welcome Table at the church if you would like to help with any part of
the food. Directions to these homes will also be provided!
Babysitting service is available. Please bring your child(ren) to the church between 5:00-5:30p.m.
The youth traveling to New Orleans will be available to hang out with your kids throughout the evening.
Donations would be appreciated for the sitters! A sign up sheet is on the Welcome Table. Please let us
know you need a sitter.
Hope to see many of you at this fellowship event!
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, January 18th at 9:30a.m. Please plan to attend this important meeting to review what
has happened at LCR in 2008 and begin to see what’s to come in 2009! Annual Reports will be
distributed at the meeting. There will be breakfast food provided by the youth of the church. Again –
please plan to come early or stay late for this meeting!
LUTHERAN LIVER LOVERS AND/OR DINNER NIGHT OUT
January 8th – Liver Lovers at Ed’s Old Windmill in Canyon Lake. Meet at the church by 6:00 pm
to carpool or at Ed’s at 6:30 p.m. It’s a great time and you aren’t required to order liver. We do have
rules that no trash talkin’ or sour faces are allowed. Sign up at the welcome table.
January 22nd – Dinner Night Out will find us at Mamacita’s in San Marcos. Same things goes,
carpool from church by 6:00 p.m. or meet at the restaurant by 6:30. Please sign up at the welcome table
so we can make reservations.
GRACE OVER PRESSURE – JANUARY 18TH
Sunday, January 18th @ 11:00am service we will be graced by the leadership of Grace Over
Pressure in our worship service. Please be sure to come and hear some of the LCR talent within this band
(Guy and Jeff), as well as taking the opportunity to say hello to Pastor Jaime!
YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT – JANUARY 24TH
Saturday, January 24th – all Jr. & Sr. High Youth are invited to Pastor Jennifer’s for some food,
fellowship and movies! You are welcome to invite up to 3 friends. Please, stop by Pastor’s office to vote
for your movie ideas. Be sure to mark your calendars and watch for e-mails!! 
SOAP TIME!!
We have all just celebrated a blessed Christmas season and before we know it, it will be Easter. I
wonder what will happen in between these two wonderful Christian seasons. You all know the answer.
IT IS SOAP TIME…Yep, soon it will be time to collect soap for Lutheran World Relief. I thought that
you would like to get a start on this collection of wonderful bar soap. You can hide it under your bed, in
the closet, or just leave it in plain view. Just thought you would like to start early. You know that I really
do not like to push too much, but I thought I would remind you of one member who collected all of 2007,
just for the soap collection in 2008!
The Soap Lady…
CRISIS BREAD BASKET
Just a gentle reminder, that when you go grocery shopping, be sure to pick up some extra canned
goods and bring them to the church. The Crisis Bread Basket continues to be in need of supplies to give
to those that are less fortunate than us in our community. Please plan to continue to share the Christmas
Joy and Love in all its splendor by dropping of a few items!
PRAYER SHAWL
Our meeting in January will be held on Saturday the 10th at the home of Jan Erlandson. We meet
at 1:00. If you can crochet or knit and would like to join this ministry please sign the sheet on the
welcome table or talk to Harriet Powell, Signe Griffin or Nancy Volotko.
SEW-IN
The quilting group is holding it’s sixth all day sew-in on Saturday, January 31st. It’s a fun day
where we do everything from laying out quilts to tieing to sewing the quilts together. We have things for
all skill levels. Plus we eat – snacks will be provided and we will have soup and sandwiches for lunch.
We will start at 9:00 and go until 3:00. Come when you can and stay as long as you want! It’s a relaxed
and fun time as we continue our work to make Lutheran World Relief quilts.
WELCA
Our three church WELCA group known as Hays County Women of the ELCA will have their
quarterly meeting on January 18th at Living Word in Buda at 3:00 PM. This meeting is open to all women
and will address officers and the constitution and then move on to entertainment and refreshments. Look
for more information on the welcome table. Any questions contact Mickie Ladd.
UPDATE FROM JASON CHESNUT
Dear LCR,
I hope y'all had a very Merry Christmas! I pray it has been a season filled with hope and joy for
you as we celebrate the coming of our Savior into the world.
I have, unfortunately, continued to miss the deadline to make it into the newsletter, and so I'm
trying to get this letter in as soon as I can! I write to you from Trinity Lutheran Church in Bradenton,
Florida, where the heat I knew in Texas stands right next to a humid 89 degrees on Christmas Eve.
Whew!
I am, however, learning so much on this internship, and I have a phenomenal supervisor who
treats me more like a colleague than an intern. I honestly feel like I learn something new, each and every
day. I have been involved with everything from funerals to memorial services in VFW's to visiting
parishioners in jail. I preach every other week, and Trinity has four services every weekend. Needless to
say, I'm plenty busy!
I hope this finds you well. Your prayers and generosity are so helpful to me, as they have always
been. Thank you for everything you do. May God continue to watch over you and Pastor Jennifer in this
New Year, as we live into God's amazing grace, present with us in the baby at the manger.
Peace to you,
Jason Chesnut
PHOTO UPDATES FOR NARTHEX DISPLAY AND DIRECTORY
It’s been two years since most of the photos on the display board in the narthex and in the
pictorial directory were taken. Over that short time, many people have changed and, most importantly,
children have grown. If you have not had your picture updated in December --- please be sure to find
either Harriet Powell or Shirley Schliessmann to get this accomplished. They will be available to take
pictures on both January 4th and 11th before or after worship. If you need to make other arrangements
please call Harriet at 847-5383 or Shirley at 847-5872. New directories will be available in late January.
Thank you!
We continue to pray for all who are ill and recovering and receiving treatments or testing and for
Sharon Brettell Knox (niece of Dirk Dierking), Pam Toifl, Carol Adams, Sharon Jones, Brooke Sleeper,
James Pollock, Danny Hickman, Zee Hickman, Casey Hickman, Dawne King-Sweet (daughter of Doris
King), Jan Fuhr (mother of Pastor Jennifer), John Dunn, Kenneth Upton (father of Emily Polhemus), Pat
Krupinsky (cousin of Harriet Powell), Laverne Williams, Doris Kowalski, Suzie Vecine (cousin of Felicia
Neigut), Braydon Johnston, Dianne King-Akers (daughter of Doris King), Brenda Arnoni (friend of
Brenda Moore), Rendy Hutto (friend of Paul and Brenda Moore), and Cindy Grabner (cousin of Paul and
Brenda Moore).
Please be in prayer for our family and friends who are serving our country either stateside or
overseas. Michael Bradwick, member, deployed with his unit to Iraq. Sam Ochoa, friend of Pastor
Jennifer, serving in Iraq. Please pray daily for peace in our world, particularly in the Middle East, and for
all who suffer the consequences of war. Please pray daily for those who are hungry and for those who
serve them.
WE CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH!
Thank you to all the families that assisted with worship this Advent Season: Raska’s, Ladd’s, Hasness’s,
Merkord’s, Hingst’s, Harriet, Colleen, and JoAnne.
Thank you to all those who helped to decorate the sanctuary, fellowship hall, indoors and outdoors
of LCR. You really contributed to the Christmas Spirit!!
Thank you to Bunky Layton for producing a great Christmas Program; Angie Hasness and Lynn
Raska for directing; all the teachers and parents for their help; and to all the children who participated.
Special thanks to those who moved furniture; set up the tree; brought food; helped in the kitchen; and
cleaned up afterward.
Thank you to all the young people that helped to lead worship on December 28th: Evan Kaye,
Tara Kaye, Madelyn Raska, Hannah Raska, Chelsea Alexander, Ian Hasness, and Holly Hickman. Your
gifts, time and talents did not go unnoticed!! We look forward to seeing/hearing you lead again!
Thank you to Bunky Layton for putting together all the Christmas Eve music. Thanks to everyone
who helped lead us in Christmas Carols and providing extra music for the services: Evan Kaye; Harry,
Pat and Amy Hingst; and Mimi and David Clemens.
Thank you to Chris Nichols and King Feed for their generosity in donating part of the cost for the
poinsettias.
Dear LCR,
Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers – both in your card you sent me, as well as each
service. Presently, I’m in the Babil Province of Iraq, in a city formerly known as Babylon (the ruins are
not too far from where we are conducting our current operations). I will be back in Baghdad before
Christmas to pack up and get out of Iraq in January ’09. I wish the entire congregation at LCR a Merry
Christmas.
Mike Bradwick
Dear LCR,
Thank you for providing items to help families living in the Wimberley Valley that need a little
help. We appreciate your help. We appreciate the Halloween food drive. Great job!
A thank you to all who helped with the garden to provide fresh produce for our
families….especially to John [Bradshaw] for the delivery.
Gene Haighs
The Crisis Bread Basket
Dear LCR,
Thank you to everyone who was able to come to help make my house a home. You have truly
blessed my home, my heart and my soul. Knowing that you wandered the home and prayed over the
rooms and life there is truly a gift.
Thank you also to everyone who prepared snacks to share. It was a wonderful day of fellowship
with one another!
I am truly honored to be a part of this community – this family!
Blessings to us all in the New Year,
Pastor Jennifer 
Dear LCR,
Thank you is just not enough to say when it comes to what we feel in love and support from all of
you. Your staff – pastor, office administrator, and organist – appreciate your giving in the Christmas
Spirit. Your generosity was overwhelming to each of us. Thank you for your continued care for us. We
look forward to working together in mission and ministry in 2009!
In Christ,
Pastor Jennifer, Colleen Kaye, and William Grear
SHARING THE PEACE
This is an integral part of worship at LCR. It’s a time to greet one another in the name of Christ
and offer a personal blessing and touch to other brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a time that we don’t
want to miss out on in worship. But we are also aware that it is that time of the year where cold and flu
season run wild. We’ve heard many people say – I’ve got a cold I don’t want to shake your hand. That is
just fine! Offering the words of peace is just as powerful as the touch. We thank you for being mindful
of others this time of the year. In hopes to aide with less spreading of sickness, we have provided a bottle
of hand sanitizer in the back of the church. Please feel free to take a pump full after sharing Christ’s
peace with one another (before touching your own face!). Christ’s peace to you all.
LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED!
LCR has been given the award: Best of Wimberley, 2008 – Places of Worship by the US Local
Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA recognizes outstanding local businesses and organizations
that have displayed exceptional marketing success in the local community. Congrats to LCR. Keep up the
good work of proclaiming the Good News of Christ Jesus!
WALTER WANGERIN JR.
You might know him as the author of The Book of Dun Cow; The Book of God; or Paul: A Novel
or as a speaker on the “Lutheran Vespers” radio program. He is a contributing writer for “The Lutheran”
magazine, a frequent speaker throughout the nation on topics of faith, story telling, and writing. His most
recent work is Father and Son: Finding Freedom. Or the children’s book I Am My Grandpa’s Enkelin,
an original tale told by a granddaughter looking back at all that her German-American grandpa taught her.
Wangerin will be giving a lecture on January 21, 2009 at 7:00p.m. in Jackson Auditorium at Texas
Lutheran University in Seguin. For more information contact Sam Ehrlich at TLU -- 830-372-8155 or
sehrlich@tlu.edu. Look for the flier on the welcome table.
INK CARTRIDGE RECYCLING
Did you know that nearly 1 million ink cartridges are thrown away every day? Well, LCR would
like to Go Green! and recycle them. As a result, we have a new addition to the narthex – a tall white box
for recycling ink cartridges. For every ink cartridge placed in the recycle bin we earn up to $4.00. The
money collected will be given to different social ministries throughout the community. Please bring your
cartridge in a small Ziploc bag and place it in the box. No laser or toner cartridges (Epson) accepted. If
you have questions, call the church office. This is an easy way for each of us to be good stewards of
God’s creation.
DIRECTORY CORRECTIONS
Please update these items in your current directory.
Doris Nelms – Fischer, TX 78623 (not Canyon Lake)
James Hollinger – email address is jholli913@verizon.net
New address for Patti Gordin
101 Eastern Rd.
Wimberley
SPECIAL GUEST IN FEBRUARY
Rev. Deb Conrad was the Pastor at LCR from 1991-1995. She will be in Wimberley for a visit on
February 1st. Her flight plans are allowing her to be here for both worship services. She would love to
see old friends and meet new ones at LCR. Be sure to mark your calendars.
VALENTINE’S EVENING DINNER – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH
Do you need a place to take your loved one for this special day? Are you without a significant
other and want to be around friends and church families? Or do you dislike (like Pastor Jennifer) this day
for lovers and want something to do that night?  But mostly - are you looking for a place to dine that
doesn’t have a waiting list a mile long? Well then the church is just for you!! The youth traveling to New
Orleans next summer are planning a fantastic Valentine’s Dinner for you and any guest(s) of your choice!
This elegant meal will be prepared and served by our young people and their families. Please think about
sharing this day of honoring love with your fellow church folks and young people! Watch for more
details on how to reserve your space in the February Chronicles.
SENIORFEST – FEBRUARY 7, 2009
A gathering of Lutheran adults for learning, devotions, and fellowship with the intent to enhance
your physical, spiritual, social and mental well-being. Sponsored by ALOA, Association of Lutheran
Older Adults, an inter-Lutheran movement that provides resources for older adult ministry of the ELCA
and LC-MS. SeniorFest will be at Christ Lutheran Church in Georgetown, TX from 9am-4pm on
February 7th. Cost is $25/individual registered prior to January 25th ($30 after that date). For more
information see the flyer and brochures in the narthex or call the synod office at 830-379-9900.
February Events - Mark Your Calendars! – Watch for more details later.
February
1 – Confirmation, 4pm @ Living Word, Buda
14 – Valentine’s Dinner Fundraiser
24 – Shrove Tuesday Meal and Ash Burning
25 – Ash Wednesday Service @ 7:30pm
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
4
Readers
Worship
Assistant
Acolytes
Ushers
11
18
25
8:30 Bruce Banks
Paula Johnson
Fred Carney
Bobbi Vantine
11:00 T Temoney
Mimi Clemens
Melinda Ellisor
Dave Clemens
8:30 Colleen Kaye
Shirley Schliessmann Harriet Powell
Jim Vantine
11:00 Doris King
Paul Toudouze
Chris Nichols
Angie Hasness
8 :30 Hannah Raska
Mike Schliessmann
Nancy Volotko
Harriet Powell
11:00 Tripp Temoney
Ian McGar
Sam Ellisor
Faith Hasness
8:30 Raska/Hollinger
Pollock/B. Johnson
Griffins
Erlandsons
11:00 Aldermans
Pat & Jody Johnson
Dierkings
Merkord/Raska
Child Care
11:00 Shirley Schliessmann Pam Longoria
Whitney Cargill
Madelyn Raska
Hospitality
8:30 Sylvia Banks
Paula Johnson
Estelle Hill
Jan Erlandson
11:00 Lori Temoney
Jody Johnson
Brenda Moore
Mimi Clemens
Altar Guild
Flowers
8:30 M. Raska/P.Johnson Shirley Schliessmann Signe Griffin
11:00 Doris King
Mimi Clemens
Brenda Moore
Schliessmanns
Shirley Schliessmann
Beth Alexander
Kaye
NOTE TO READERS: The Scripture readings for the week you serve will be in your box at the
beginning of the month. We encourage you to take them home and read through them prior to your
Sunday to share your gift with the congregation.
Pronunciation Guides are availabe – one under the Lecturn (where you read) and the other in the
Church office. Feel free to take and use them whenever needed.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
If you can’t be present on the Sunday you are signed up to serve, please
remember to find your own replacement!!
This is vital to making sure all leadership roles are filled each week.
Thanks! 
01-01 John Hill
01-11 Evan Kaye
01-02 James Pollock
01-13 Don Phillips
01-02 Shirley Schliessmann
01-16 Tara Kaye
01-10 David & Mimi Clemens
01-05 Brenda Tise
01-28 Pat Hart
01-19 Jody & Pat Johnson
Happy Anniversary
01-29 Ron & Gayle Weir
01-07 Ryley Dove
CONGRATULATIONS !
Note: If we missed your special day
or printed it incorrectly, please notify
the church office…