Meditation XVII

No man is an island,

Entire of itself,

Every man is a piece

of the continent,

A part of the main.

If a clod be washed

away by the sea,

Europe is the less.

As well as if a

promontory were.

As well as if a manor

of thy friend's

Or of thine own were:

Any man's death

diminishes me,

Because I am

involved in mankind,

And therefore never

send to know for

whom the bell tolls;

It tolls for thee.

John Donne

A P R I L 2 0 1 4

the real challenges that now disrupt and obstruct our gospel proclamation? Could churches that find themselves in a place of strength bend toward others which are vulnerable for the sake the greater mission of Jesus Christ? We the people of the Good Shep-herd have a wonderful opportunity to practice true religion together with the people of St. Stephen's in Hicksville dur-ing their time of vacancy. Beginning on April 1st, I will be serving as coverage pastor at St. Stephen's and we will all be invited to join together in a larger con-versation about how we can use our combined gifts to enhance our procla-mation of the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed. This conversation may also extend to Faith Lutheran in Syosett, which is also in a time of dis-cernment during their period of vacancy. Together we can, with God's help, forge a new model of cooperation be-tween congregations for Jesus' sake. The larger Church needs such models to celebrate and emulate so that the tolling of the funeral bells for congregations can be transformed into majestic calls to worship! In the weeks to come, there will be opportunities to begin to meet, worship, study, break bread and laugh with our brothers and sisters down the road. Let us joyfully explore the blessings God has in store for His Church!

One in Christ our Lord,

CELEBRATING 63 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICE

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

Dear Faithful People of Good Shepherd,

John Donne, the famous 17th century poet, lawyer, statesman, diplomat, and Anglican priest was preoccupied with the idea of "true religion". Donne urged people to examine their own religious views and convictions. Nothing was more dangerous for Donne than to follow anyone's teachings blindly. His own ex-ploration of truth led him all over the Eu-ropean continent, through many different institutions of higher learning, from posi-tions of prominence and prestige to plac-es of low estate, from rags to riches to rags to riches again. Throughout his wandering he developed a great under-standing of the interconnectedness of all things. There was a time when Christianity was booming here on Long Island and with it the Lutheran Church. During this time of blue laws and packed pews, many individual churches developed an island- like mentality and defined themselves over and above their neighboring faith communities. The interconnectedness of the body of Christ was more of a theoret-ical than practical reality. Neighboring churches met only at synod assembly or on the basketball court to compete. Today, if we were to practice the true religion that Donne championed, would we be drawn closer to our neighboring parishes after examining our core beliefs as they relate to the body of Christ? Through celebrating our interconnected-ness could we possibly overcome some of

Let’s give a big thank you to all those who attended our Wednesday evening Soup and Bread Suppers, where great food and fellowship have been enjoyed by all. Also, I’d like to acknowledge the good work of our confirmation class members and their participation in the Lenten liturgies. Their willingness to share and contribute in this setting has been outstanding.

As we look forward to Easter Sunday on April 20th, once again our Evangelism Team, headed by Roy Steinhilber, is planning an Easter Breakfast; and there will be an Easter Egg Hunt just prior to the Easter celebration service.

Our congregation council work includes a continuing review of the church and school budget requests for 2014/2015; this work is intended to create a fiscal plan that supports our core values and mission while at the same time being fiscally responsible. Our budget, vision for mission and other important reports will all be presented to the congregation at the Congregation meeting on Sunday May 18, 2014. Please consider attending this important bi-annual meeting, all are welcome and your input is vital to our faith community.

In Christ,

Kevin Ocker

During the weekend of March 14-16, I had the great joy of attending a retreat with some of our youth group members at Camp Koinonia sponsored by the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO). The LYO is a ministry of the Metropolitan New York Synod and is completely organized and led by youth, so the youth retreat itself was peer-led. Each retreat has a theme rooted in Scripture. This year the theme was “F.I.R.E. Faith Inspires and Rejuvenates Everyone” and taken from Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.”

Several of the youth leaders shared their faith stories, how they were drawn in by God and transformed, and then compelled to share their faith with others too. For me, just being with 65+ high school students singing, praying, sharing their faith stories, and getting fired up about sharing their faith changed me, in-creased my faith, and encouraged me to share my faith with others.

The gift of faith that we have been given cannot be kept to ourselves—God calls us to share this gift, to “let our lights shine,” to spread God’s love each and every day. And so we pray together this day: “God of love, you have claimed us as your own, transform us every day, and call us to witness to your love. Send us out with courage to let our lights shine, so that others might see our good works and give praise to you. Amen.”

In Christ,

Vicar Nicholas Sollom

O ur May newsletter deadline is Tuesday, April 22nd. If you would like to submit an article for inclusion in the May newsletter,

please e-mail it to church@ ourshepherdlives.org on or before that date. Thank you the May newsletter by Tuesday,

April 22nd.

Wednesday, April 16

7:30 p.m.

Prayer Service

for Healing & Anointing with Oil

Maundy Thursday, April 17

7:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist & Foot Washing

Good Friday, April 18

Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Church will be open for prayer & meditation

(Pastor Eric will be available for

prayer & counsel)

2:00 p.m.

Stations of the Cross

7:30 p.m.

Tenebrae

Holy Saturday, April 19

7:30 p.m.

Easter Vigil (part 1)

Easter Sunday, April 20

6:00 a.m.

Sunrise Holy Eucharist

(Easter Vigil part 2)

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Easter Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

Easter Egg Hunt

10:00 a.m.

Resurrection of our Lord Celebration

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THE PASTOR TO SEND A PERSONAL INVITATION ... to your friend, neighbor, colleague or family member to come to Easter Worship? The Evangelism Committee has en-dorsed this wonderful idea that originated upon the faithful anonymous donor who has generously funded the Crusader fund. As you recall, Good Shepherd received the Congrega-tion of the Year Award this past year and with it $10,000! So please e-mail or drop a note to Maureen, our Church Secre-tary, now through April 13, and Pastor Olsen will start writ-ing those invites to your friends!

True fasting can be a means of feasting. Fasting can be a time when you could: Fast from judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them. Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light. Fast on emphasis of differences; feast on the unity of life. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from discontent and jealousy; feast on gratitude. Fast from negative thoughts & speech; feast on the love that God has for us. Fast from worry; feast on trust. Fast from unrelenting pressure; feast on unceasing prayer. Fast from negatives; feast on positives. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from hostility; feast on obedience. Fast from anxiety; feast on hope. Fast from yourself; feast on a silent heart.

- Anonymous

(based on Isaiah 58:6-7)

Have you been wondering what Taize means? Yes, it is a certain type of worship, but its name comes from a village in eastern France. Since 1940 Taize has been the home of an ecumenical community of broth-ers whose prayer three times a day forms the center of their lives. Today Taize is a place where visitors of all ages and backgrounds come on pilgrimag-es and to participate in prayer and reflec-tion. Their unique style of music and worship bridges denominational and cul-tural barriers. Brother Roger Schutz first came to Taize in 1940. He dreamed of starting a community "on account of Christ and the Gospel." Since it was during the war, his house be-came a place of welcome to refugees, especially to Jews fleeing Nazi occupation. Other brothers joined him, committed to a life of celiba-cy, and to life together. Initially, the community was made of brothers from various Protestant denominations, but today it includes many Catholics as well. Today there are 100 brothers of Taize representing every de-nomination and race and culture. The brothers live on every conti-nent and among the poor and downtrodden. Since the fall of com-munism, thousands of young people have come to Taize from Eastern Europe. Between Christmas and New Year, the community holds a "Pilgrimage of Trust" in a European capital. In a recent meeting 100,000 young people were in attendance. Taize's mission from the very beginning has been to strive for reconciliation among Christians split apart into different denomina-tions. However, the community does not view reconciliation among

Christians as an end in itself; it concerns all of humanity, since it makes the church a place of communion for all. Please come to our Taize service on Sunday, May 18th at 7:00 p.m.

THE FINAL WORDS OF JESUS THE FIRST WORD "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34.

THE SECOND WORD "Today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43

THE THIRD WORD "Dear woman, here is your son." "Here is your mother." John 19:26-27

THE FOURTH WORD "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46

THE FIFTH WORD "I am thirsty." John 19:28

THE SIXTH WORD "It is finished." John 19:30

THE SEVENTH WORD "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Luke 23:46

This year, Good Friday is on April 11. As we prepare our services of reflection with the Stations of the Cross at 2:00 p.m. and Tenebrae at 7:30 p.m. we ask that you please

consider taking an active role in them by making a public reflec-tion. As in the past, at the Stations of the Cross service, we would like individuals to read one of the 14 passages followed by a personal reflection. This year at the Tenebrae ser-

vice, we would like individuals to share a personal reflec-tion on the last words of Jesus. Very soon “sign-up” sheets will be posted in the narthex, but in the meantime, the passages are listed below for you to reflect upon and con-sider sharing on Good Friday. And when that “sign up” sheet does appear, you will be ready to put your name exactly where you’d like it. Thank you very much!

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

First: Jesus Prays in the Garden of Olives, Luke 22:39 - 46 Second: Jesus is Betrayed by Judas, Matthew 26: 45 – 49 Third: Jesus is Condemned to Death by the Sanhedrin, Mark 14: 56, 61 – 64 Fourth: Jesus is Denied by Peter, Luke 22: 54 – 62 Fifth: Jesus is Judged by Pilate, Luke 23: 20 - 25 Sixth: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns, John 19: 1 - 3 Seventh: Jesus Carries His Cross, John 19: 17 Eighth: Jesus is Helped by Simon of Cyrene, Mark 15: 20 – 21 Ninth: Jesus Encounters the Women of Jerusalem, Luke 23: 27 – 31 Tenth: Jesus is Crucified, Mark 15: 22 – 26 Eleventh: Jesus Promises to Share his Reign with the Good Thief, Luke 23: 39 – 43 Twelfth: Jesus Speaks to Mary and the Beloved Disciple at the Foot of the Cross, John 19: 25 – 27 Thirteenth: Jesus Dies on the Cross, Matthew: 27: 45 – 50 Fourteenth: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb, Matthew 27: 57 - 61

During the 10:00 a.m. celebration of the Transfiguration of our Lord, on March 2nd, four families affirmed their baptism, and began the Lenten season as members of our Good Shepherd’s Church Family. We warmly welcome them and introduce you to...

The Cacchioli Family Glen and Lisa Cacchioli met at Martin Luther High School in Queens and were married five years later. They moved to Hicks-

ville and began their family. Kris-tin, their daughter, graduated from Siena College and is current-ly working as a teacher’s assistant at the School for Language and Communication Development in Richmond Hill while attending graduate school at night to obtain her degree in Education. She hopes to teach high school Eng-lish in the near future. Their son, Ryan, is finishing up his last year at Misericordia University in Pennsylvania and will remain at Misericordia to pursue a graduate degree in Sports Management.

Glen is an attorney and works for The American Arbitration Asso-ciation. Lisa teaches fifth grade at Valley Stream Christian Acade-my. The family was long time members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hicksville. Leaving behind a church that had been home to them for over twenty years was difficult but they believe that Good Shepherd Lutheran is the answer to their prayers. “I admire Pastor Olsen’s enthusiasm and warmth, says Glen. “He has welcomed us and made us feel at home right from the very beginning.” Lisa adds, “I know that God has led us to Good Shepherd. My family and I are thrilled to be a part of the Good Shepherd family.”

The Jin Family

Originally from Dobbs Ferry, Westchester, residents for 9 years, the Jin family moved to Plainview in July 2013. AJ & Yuna are

blessed with two children; Daniel 22 and Bobby 4. Daniel is a senior at Stony Brook University studying health science, and “Bobby the personality” is in the graduating Pre-K class at Good Shepherd. AJ, a banking executive with a corporate office in Lake Success and a field office in Flushing, is 48 years old, and his wife, “aka, the boss” is 46. The Jins are “falling in love with Plainview and with Good Shepherd Lutheran.”

“There is one golden rule in my castle,” says AJ, “that the patriarch has the last two words in every conversation in his household.” Those two words are “Yes, dear!”

The Pecora Family Natasha and Joe Pecora met through mutual friends nearly 10 years ago. They married in the spring of 2007 and welcomed their son, Luca, in June 2008. Shortly after they moved to Wantagh. Joe works as a Medical Fund Administrator for a union in Queens while Nata-sha is a stay at home mom with a former career in Financial Planning. Raised in the Catholic faith, both Joe and Natasha attended Catholic school for the majori-ty of their education. Over the years, how-ever, they found themselves drifting away from the Church. When Luca turned 3, they enrolled him here at Good Shepard nursery school, and it was through our school that Natasha and Joe realized what a wonderful environment Good Shepherd was both as a school and as a church. They realized that this was the path they wanted to take back to God and faith. “Everyone at Good Shepherd has been so warm and welcoming,” and Natasha and Joe and Luca feel right at home in their new Church. They feel blessed to have found this new family at Good Shepherd (and we do, too!)

The Whitenack Family Hugh and Kim Whitenack met in early 2007 and were married in May 2009. Hugh is originally from Lyn-brook and Kim from East Northport. For nearly four years, they lived in Great Neck before moving to

Plainview in September of 2011. Hugh has been an electrician for over 25 years and most recently became the Electrical Manager at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

Kim is a Financial Risk Manager and has worked at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York for most of her career. Last June, they adopted their beautiful baby girl, Kaitlyn, and she is the best thing that ever happened to them. Kaitlyn’s Baptism will be this April at Good Shepherd. After meeting Pastor Olsen and attending a couple of services and functions, they quickly realized that Good Shepherd is the place they want to be. They look forward to joining the Good Shepherd community, meeting new friends and renewing their faith.

As of this writing, Team Good Shep-herd raised $3,350 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to conquer childhood can-cer. We thank those who participated and shaved their heads at this com-munity event on March 25th:

James Davis

Austen & Ryan DeVerna

Charlie Eisele

Pastor Eric, Lars & Luke Olsen

Jack & Josef Saueracker

Rodney Schabel

Vicar Nick Sollom

Roy Steinhilber

Eric Tollefsen We also thank all of you who donated.

You can still support our team and make a donation by visiting our team page at: w w w . s t b a l d r i c k s . o r g /teams/mypage/92002/2014

Happy Diamond Anniversary

April 25th, 2014

Carol & Joe Berardino Helen & Carl Gscheidle

A

lbert Aldophus - 4/11 Anna Adolphus—4/17 Kathryn Banzer—4/3 Marilyn Benner—4/25 Joe Berardino—4/15 Irma Carlson—4/27 Christa Contos—4/13 Austen DeVerna 4/4

Corinne Haney -4 4/14 Christopher Hansen—4/17

Andrew Haupt—4/7 Rebecca Hinsch 4/14 David Knapp 4/22

Margaret Lang—4/16 Sydney Mecabe-Alexander—4/7

Helga Mitze—4/25 Jessica Olanick—4/14 Joseph Pecora - 4/4

Anne Rickmeyer—4/30 Alexandra Rizzo 4/22 Misaki Sawada—4/1

Michael Steinert - 4/24 Samantha Stoddart 4/9

Michael & Thomas Trejos-Donohue—4/17 Melina Wilbur—4/20

WE PRAY FOR...

T H O S E S E R V I N G I N T H E M I L I T A R Y

Roger Griffith & Nick Sollom

T H O S E W H O A R E C E L E B R A T I N G

Maureen Kelly Araujo, Alex & Derek Bartkow, Cindy Becker, Edwina Bishop, John Binsfeld (Benner family friend), Martin Bolivar (Louise Lamont’s cousin), John & Eddie Brusdeliens (J. Hinsch family friend), Evangeline Cappatos (GSL teacher Stacy Milios’s sister), Brad Carbone & Family (R. Benson family friend), Lynne Carlson (Irma’s daughter-in-law), Edna Carrera (Martha Peterson’s friend), Carol Cassis (Elaine Cassimatis’ mother), Ava Cataldo (GSL stu-dent), Rita Cooper (Ruth Strakele’s friend), Gisela Conforti, Dorothy Cronin, Frank D’Elia, Claudia DeMauro, Kristin DeMayo (McGowan family friend), Denise, Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s friend), Susan Dowd (Maisch family friend), Sally Ducey, Anna Duda (Denise Bartkow’s mother), Becky Ernst (Paul Wenger’s cousin), Karen Eskesen (Lois Fassino’s niece) & family, Ryan Faret & family, Jim Fassino, Irene Fields (Naomi Hulver’s aunt), James Fields (Vincent Cronin’s nephew), Rashid Ghani (Mason family friend), Mary Gessing (Vincent Cronin’s cousin), Lilah & Jim Gillett (Kathy Prinz’s friends), Erika Green, Liz Haley, Sidak Hans (Victoria Shenko-Jacobson’s friend), Margaret Holleran (Eleanor Pearson’s friend), Renee Iannone (Irma Carlson’s niece), Alexis Jacobsen (GSL teacher LeeAnn’s daughter), Anna Jerome, Joanne Jurasek (GSL Teacher Joni Prevete’s mother), Lois Kazarian, Dillon Kwarta, Toni Anne LaGois, Christian Lakis, Kenneth Lane, Martha Langhahr, Lois Lengenfelder, Claire Larrie (Mary Wiegert’s sister), Maryanne Macy (Rosemary McNair’s mother), Bea McCabe, Pastor Fred McElderry (St. Andrew’s in West Hempstead), Claire Mehrhoff (Alice Vorstadt’s friend), Yanni Milios, Linda O’Brien (McGowan family friend), Ruth Odwazny, Rose Oliver (Ellen Benson’s friend), Meghan Ortega (Lisa Olsen’s niece), Shari Paterakis, Nick Portugal (Liam Broggy’s friend), Dr. Mark Prowatzke (Danny Wenger’s father in law), Anthony Realmuto (Olsen family friend), Cathy Reese (Alice Vorstadt’s friend), Justin Rogers (Karin Kienle’s nephew), Glenn Schabel, Lilli Schulz, Sarah Silber (Margaret & Paul Wenger’s daughter), Adam Sink (Judy Hinsch’s nephew), Ian Spadaro, Lilli Schulz Audrey Schwartz, Anna Stutzbach, Joyce Tare, Madison Von Bargen (Ruff’ family friend), Carole & Stan-ley Weyant (Maisch family friend), and Brother George Zenle (Wenger family friend).

Keith & Kyle Calderone (Army), Specialist Sean Hassett (Lori Mason’s cousin), CPT. Paul Rickmeyer, Captain Robert Saueracker, LTC. Phillip Sounia, USMC, Corporal Nicholas Ventrelli-O’Connell (Patty Larson’s family friend).

T H O S E I N N E E D O F H E A L I N G

T H O S E P R E P A R I N G

F O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T R Y

Kim & Hugh Whitenack and their family & friends celebrate Kaitlyn Rose’s baptism here at Good Shep-herd on April 27th. Carol & Joe Berardino and Helen & Carl Gscheidle celebrate their 60th anniversary on April 25th.

T H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N G

The Kovel family and friends of Tim’s mother, Alice Grace Kovel; the Jansky & McGowan families and the family and friends of John Devlin; Naomi Hulver, the Dondero family and the friends Judy Gerstenfield, and the friends and family of Cornelius Bahnken, John Ciarico, Joseph Demeo, Lorraine Heinz Janssen, Tim Kestel, Wayne Rogers, and Julia Sapienza.

C H A N G E S T O O U R P R A Y E R P R O C E D U R E

Worship and Music has been discussing the importance of prayer for others in the worship life of our congregation. As this conversation continued with members outside our ministry team, Loretta Ruff from the Social Ministry Team approached us with the idea of a prayer chain which she is willing to coordinate. She will assign names on the prayer list to individuals who have agreed to spend time in prayer each day for those in need. Those praying for a particular person will follow up with the individual who requested our prayers to see how the person on the prayer list is doing. The benefits of this prayer chain will not only create more contact on behalf of the person being prayed for, it will have the person named in prayers each day, and it will enrich the prayer life of the person praying. Are you inter-ested in becoming a “pray-er” on our prayer chain? Speak to Loretta Ruff, Marge Wenger, Pastor Olsen or call Maureen in the church office.

UPDATE FOR APRIL 2014

WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN: NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER STATEN ISLAND & BROOKLYN

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

I see 12 year old Kevin weekly to address

issues related to antisocial behaviors. He al-ways brings his smartphone to sessions, fin-gers flying, seldom making eye contact. He’s

“there but not there”, tethered to his device, an indispensable appendage. It is awkward,

and yet there is communication between us and he has made very good progress. What I’ve learned from him and other chil-

dren is that their gadget-attachment is irre-versible and permanent. Media’s presence in

children’s lives is ubiquitous. American chil-dren spend on average six hours a day with media. Television once dominated children’s

media consumption habits, but is now over-shadowed by computers, cell phones, video

games, and a plethora of other circuited devic-es. Children are completely immersed in media from a very young age. Parents and policy

makers are bewildered by how to measure media’s impact on childhood. Children do not

care about impact; they just enjoy electronic activities unquestioningly.

The irony is that devices seduce children

into believing that they provide them freedom, and that the world is at their fingertips. They

are free to bowl on their Wi without going to a bowling alley; free to Skype grandma without

bothering to visit her; free to access books without going to the library. In reality, their freedom is a self-imposed confinement that

cuts them off from human contact and nature. Who knows what is on the technological

horizon? The possibilities seem boundless. Electric cars are already here; cars that drive themselves are in production if not yet in the

showroom. What needs to be remembered is that although the technological landscape con-

tinues to inexorably change rapidly, the needs of children remain constant: play, nurture, guidance, protection, instruction, connection,

forgiveness, faith and hope. How should we

meet these needs today? I do not think there is an available facile answer, especially for parents. They are the ordained sculptors of

childhood. Parents can limit, monitor, disci-pline, instruct and explain—and often to great

benefit. But there is no going back and there is no taking away. I would rather try to wrest a prime rib from the jaws of a pit bull than wrest

the iPad from the hands of my granddaughter. Author Jennifer Senior, author of All Joy and

No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood, said: “Parents aren’t sure what to do with their kids other than nurture the heck out of them.

So our parenting role today does not have a script. We are simply improvising our way

through it”. Whatever happened to childhood? It has been suddenly reconfigured by the prolifera-

tion of media. Is childhood still in the hands of parents and their authority, or is it more in the

hands of children and their devices? It is too early and murky to know. But what is known is that childhood is sacred. Jesus said: “Let the

children come to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…Anyone who will not

receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” The Incarnate One ele-

vates childhood to heavenly heights. To retain its sanctity, parents need to nurture, to impro-vise, but above all to encourage. They and all

who care about children need to encourage them to have face to face, heart to heart,

hand to hand, breath to breath contact incar-nate.

Pastor Steinke is a clinical supervisor with LCC. He

is also LCC’s counselor-in-residence for Trinity Lu-

theran School, Hicksville and counsels children,

teens, adults and couples at our Mineola counseling

site.

Whatever Happened To Childhood?

By: The Rev. Alan F. Steinke, LCSW-R, LCC Pastoral Counselor

Contact Lutheran Counseling Center at 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail us at Center@lccny.org for more information or to set an appoint-

ment. Visit our website at www.lccny.org .