Lutheran Cursillo of Southern California Official Newsletter “Fourth Day Chronicles” Spring 2015

Newsletter Mailing If you would like a paper copy of the newsletter mailed to you, please send your name and mailing address along with a donation of five dollars per year to cover post-age to: LCSC Attention: Newsletter P.O. Box 5203 Cerritos, CA 90703-5203 Sign up on the website for our Newsletter at http://lcsocal.org

LCSC Prayer Chain Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 If you have a person or situation you would like lifted up in prayer, please e-mail Cammy Mahoney at [email protected] and/or Joan Harrison at [email protected]

LCSC MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Lutheran Cursillo of Southern California is to develop a lay ministry to the Lutheran Community in the State of California by encouraging a spiritual renewal of the Lutheran Church, and by supporting its members as they grow in their faith and as they actively support the life and mission of their local home church congregations.

In This Issue… LC #156 LC #157 CLE #6 Upcoming Weekends Ulteryas The 2014-2015 Secretariat Thrivent “Choice” Team Donations Sponsor’s Responsibilites

Devotion Shelly Reinschmidt, Editor-email: [email protected]

Meet The Rectora for CLE #6 April 16-19 Rebecca Lopez

Sooo....a few years back I found out about Cursillo. Tony and I went; LC 132 and LC 133. That was life changing, haven’t looked back. We got involved in Cursillo Luterana en Espanol (CLE) from the beginning. Its been an interesting journey. The past six months we had our fair share of trials. Tony and I were reeling from some very bad stuff when we went to family camp at Mont Hermon in Santa Cruz country (highly recommend it). We kept encountering a theme, the message was; when in a storm, get out of the boat, look at Jesus. We had to get out of the comfort and what we thought was the safety of our boat, step out onto the storm and keep our focus and eyes on Jesus. That's is why the song “Oceans (Where feet may fail” resonates so strongly for me. I have talked to people in CLE who are dealing with stuff that make my problems seem petty. They are true people of faith. The verse, “Asi que no temas, porque yo estoy contigo...” Isias 41:10a “So do not fear, because I am with you” Fear is a powerful tool of the enemy. Isn't it interesting that the words, “Do not fear” appear 365 times in the Bible! Fearless/Sin Miedo, that is the kind of Christian I want to be, the kind of faith I hope our pilgrims in CLE 6 will embrace.

Sooo .... hace unos años me enteré de Cursillos de Cristiandad. Tony y yo fuimos; LC 132 y LC 133. Esto nos cambio la vida, no hemos vuelto a mirar atrás. Nos involucramos en Cursillo Luterano en Español (CLE) desde el principio. Ha sido un viaje interesante. Los últimos seis meses hemos tenido una serie de momentos dificiles. Tony y yo estábamos recuperándonos de algunas situaciones muy dificiles cuando fuimos a un campamento de familia en Mount Hermon en el condado de Santa Cruz,aqui en California (lo recomiendo). Seguimos enfrentandonos con un tema, el mensaje era; cuando hay una tormenta, y tienes que salir del barco, siempre mantenga la vista mirando a Jesús. Tuvimos que salir de la comodidad y seguridad de nuestro “barco” y salir a donde solo veiamos inseguridad y tormenta, pero mantenerrnos mirando y confiando en Jesus. Aprendimos que en medio de las tormentas hay que tener nuestros ojos puesto en Jesus. . Esta es la razón por la canción "Océanos (Donde pies pueden fallar" resuena tan fuerte para mí. He hablado con gente en CLE que están lidiando con cosas que hacen mis problemas parecer insignificantes . Son verdaderas personas de fe. El versículo: "Asi que No Temas, porque estoy yo contigo ... "Isias 41: 10a" So, do not fear, because I am with you ". el miedo es una poderosa herramienta del enemigo no es interesante que las palabras," no temas "aparecen 365 veces en la Biblia! Sin Miedo / Fearless, que es el tipo de cristiano que quiero ser, el tipo de fe Espero que nuestros peregrinos en CLE 6 abrazará.

God’s Chosen Team for CLE #6

Please keep the team in your daily prayers as well as for the Pilgrims He is calling to His weekend.

Meet The Rector LC #156 February 19-22 Don Underwood

De Colores. My name is Don Underwood and I worship at First Lutheran Church in Torrance, Ca. My pilgrim weekend was LC114, in February 2008. I have heard many stories from fellow Cursillistas and I have witnessed for myself the transformative impact that these pilgrim weekends have made in so many lives. I am no exception, though it wasn’t until I went back to serve that I fully realized how blessed I am to be part of this Cursillo family. The verse that I was led to use for LC156, is from Philippians 2.:3 “…in humility value others above yourselves.” From the time of my Pilgrim weekend (theme: “Humility before Honor”), humility in service has resonated with me. Humility is a consequence of our service when we center ourselves on the cross and follow the example that Christ set for us. Humble service is central to these weekends, serving our fellow brothers and sisters and placing all others needs above our own. The theme song for the weekend is “More of You” by Colton Dixon. There were a number of songs that I was contemplating and it wasn’t until a friend sent me an email one morning asking me to listen to this song that I realized this was the song for the weekend. As soon as I heard the lyrics, I knew this was the theme song. This song is all about breaking down our own castle walls and surrendering to God. It also reminded me of something a long-time Cursillista would often say in prayer….”Lord, let there be more of you and less of me”. God has blessed me with many that have already heard the call to serve on LC156. I continue to pray for the formation of the team He is sending our way and for the pilgrims that are hearing His voice that this is their time to experience the blessing of Cursillo

God’s Chosen Team LC#156

Please keep the team in your daily prayers as well as for the Pilgrims He is calling to His weekend.

Meet The Rectora LC# 157 Peggy Mechling

De Colores, my name is Peggy Mechling and I worship at Mount of Olives in Mission Viejo. My pilgrim weekend was LC 97, in February 2005. Cursillo took my Christian head knowledge and turned it into "heart" knowledge. As great as my pilgrim weekend was, going back and serving on the weekends has been an even bigger blessing in my life. Being a part of the LCSC community has continued to be an important part of my walk with Christ. I treasure the relationships with the Christian brothers and sisters that I have met along the way. The verse I felt led to use for LC 157, is Psalm 118:24, "This is the Day the Lord has made; Let us Rejoice and be glad in it!" Within days of getting the humbling call to be the rectora, I received a birthday card that contained this verse. It reminded me of a saying that my mom posted on our refrigerator when I was growing up that said "Today is my gift from God, what I do with it, is my gift to Him." After I chose the verse, my dear friend and mentor, Nancy Wilbur, gave me a metal cross that inspired the talented Kathryn Ilten-Holmes to design the beautiful logo for the weekend. Kathryn told me about a song that I had never heard before and I am so thankful that she did because it is perfect! It is "This is the Day" by Laura Story. I can see how God is equipping me already and weaving together a team of wonderful women who will serve Him in love.

God’s Chosen Team #157 February 26– March 1

Please keep the team in your daily prayers as well as for the Pilgrims He is calling to His weekend.

February 19-22 February 26– March 1 April 16-19 July 9-12 July 16-19 October 15-18 November 5-8 November 12-15

LC #156 Men’s LC #157 Women’s CLE #6 CoEd LC #158 Men’s LC #159 Women’s CLE #7 CoEd LC #160 Men’s LC #161 Women’s NEEDED – PARISH REPS

The Parish Representatives are volunteers within their local congregation whose primary purpose is to be the contact person beJanuary 10th-5PM-Open tween the Secretariat and their Fe y Esperanza– 13431 Paramount Blvd South Gate church. They are the “go to person” when it comes to questions about CurFebruary 15th-2:30pm-Open-Musicians needed sillo and distributing information about Zion Lutheran/ Palabra de Dios upcoming weekends and Ultre4421 E. 61st Street, Maywood yas. They also assist the members of March 10-2:30pm– Grand their church to have been asked to at1st Lutheran– 2900 W. Carson St Torrance tend a Cursillo weekend, and assist their church Community in their Fourth Churches are needed for April through November. Contact Kedma Wenz if you would like your church Day. For more information about beto host contact her via the website under “Ulteyas”. coming a Parish Representative for your church, please contact any Secretariat member.

2014-2015 Secretariat President - Steve Anderson Head Spiritual Director – Jay Egenes Treasurer – Mike Gaczkowski Registrar – Stuart Dimock Ultreya Coordinator – Kedma Wenz Palanca Coordinator - Willy Miller Newsletter Editor - Shelly Reinschmidt Vice President/Trainer - Robin Hill 3-Day Supply Coordinator - Tonya Hollenbeck Secretary - Marty Hente From Trinity Lutheran, Riverside: On April 25th at 7:00 pm we will have “Meet Me at Trinity & Broadway” (due to popular demand this event is back). These are singers & musicians’ most are professionally trained and work in clubs around and out of our immediate area. Just as the title says the music is all from Broadway shows past & present. Watch for more information on our website, www.trinityriverside.org. There will be a free will offering taken. On June 27th starting at 5 pm we will have our 5th annual Within Radius Festival of Art & Music. This event has grown each year & we look forward to another amazing one this year. Live music & refreshments will be featured in our courtyard. There will be an opportunity drawings for original works of art donated by the local artists from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. The admission is only $5/person and may be paid at the door or purchased through our church website, www.trinityriverside.org. Both events are held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5969 Brockton Ave., Riverside. As the dates get closer you may call the church office at 951-682-1350 for more information.

I would like to feature your church in the newsletter. Each month I would like to have a “Save the Date” section that will list some of the events at your church. Also, any fundraisers that are Cursillo related. So send me contact information and details of the event as early as possible.

“Make a friend, be a friend and bring a friend to Christ”. This is our commission. Being a sponsor a lovely opportunity to demonstrate all Christ has done for us. It is more than just bringing a Pilgrim on Thursday evening, making a banner, bringing Palanca and picking them up on Sunday afternoon. When we sponsor we have a stewardship responsibility of $25, and the “Fourth Day” care of that Pilgrim. Are we getting them involved in grouping, bringing them with us to Angel and encouraging them to work a weekend? The weekends are a gift of love, but beyond that they are the boot camp for raising up future leaders of the church. Just as Christ bestowed the “Great Commission” on the first twelve, “Christ is counting on us” to go and make disciples not to sit a wait and see what happens. And isn’t that what we really become on the Fourth Day? A disciple. We are to continue that close, intimate walk with Christ daily. Sponsorship is vital or there would not be Cursillo.

Check in on those you have sponsored. If they have become, stuck, displaced or maybe they forgot their experience , be “proactive” and light that spark again and get them involved again!

Team Donations After prayerful consideration and a great deal of dis2014 Choice Dollars expire on cussion over the past several months 3/31/2015. Don’t miss this opportuthe Secretariat has decided that it is nity direct your Thrivent “Choice” Dollars to enrolled nonprofit organizations, time to increase the team donation fees from $130 to $150. St. Joseph’s like Cursillo! has raised the rental fees and the cost of running a weekend increased such Call a Customer Care Professional at that has become essential to our min800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) istry. This increase will come into efand when prompted, say, fect beginning with the July set of “Thrivent Choice.” weekends 2015.

5 New Year’s Resolutions Your Family Can Live With By HomeWord.com It’s been said that a New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. Maybe this is why many people don’t participate in the annual ritual. One survey found that 55% of Americans either never or only infrequently set New Year’s resolutions and that only 8% of Americans are always successful in keeping their resolutions. With odds like that, why bother? So, what if we reset the “resolutions” bar at a reasonable height? It just might make a difference. With the right attitude going in, the following five “just for today” resolutions can help to get your family’s 2015 off to a positive start. Whether you try one or all, these are resolutions that most everyone has a good shot of accomplishing – something that your family can live with. As you succeed, you might even end up incorporating some of them into your family life and identity. Five Resolutions for 2015 # 1: Just for today, I resolve to pray. This doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometime during the day, just say a short prayer. Thank God for something, or praise God for something, or tell God you love Him, or confess something to Him, or ask Him for something, or ask Him for something for someone other than yourself. # 2: Just for today, I resolve to say, “I love you” to someone. It’s really not hard, and if you try, you really can find the moment it takes to say it, email it, text it, or show it. There are few sayings more powerful in the life of another than these three little words. # 3: Just for today, I resolve to appreciate the world around me. Take a moment or two to smell the roses, or look at the blue sky (or clouds, or rain, or snow, or ocean, mountains, trees… you get the picture) and let the beauty of the world God created roll over you. # 4: Just for today, I resolve to read from the Bible. No length requirements and no reading plan here. Today, just take some moments to read something from God’s word. Whatever you do here, it will be good for your life and your soul (See Psalm 119:105). # 5: Just for today, I resolve to spend some time with my family. The breathless pace we live life is breaking families apart. So today, give your family the gift of your presence. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just make some space in your day to be with your family.