I Like This Guy

Last Sunday we issued the challenge to read through the Gospel of Mark this week.  So this week I have been reading.  I have to be transparent and say that it has been a while since I have read through a Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) quickly. 

Nothing specific has jumped out to me, (except for the fact that the religious leaders starting plotting REALLY early in Jesus’ public ministry to kill him) but after reading about 4 chapters in one sitting, I thought to myself, “I like this guy (Jesus)!”

Change Begins in the Heart

In the USA we put a lot of effort into managing “appearances.” It’s not evil.  After all, a nice haircut and some new clothes can be quite useful and nice.  The problem comes when we think this is all we need for a better life. 

Jesus said in Luke 6,  ⁴³“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. ⁴⁵The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

In other words if we want deep, meaningful change, it starts in the heart.  Heart transformation begins when we realize that Jesus loves us, wants a relationship with us, and we follow his direction for our lives. 

One of the best books, I have ever read on this topic is called:  The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg.  (Our middle school and high school group leaders are studying this together right now.  

If you are interested, you can follow this LINK to amazon to get a copy for yourself.

A Dead Branch

A month ago I was trimming some branches in my yard.  I put then in the back of my truck and proceeded to drive around with them for about two weeks.  (I guess I wanted all my neighbors to be aware of my Ohio (hillbilly) roots.)  As I hauled them around slowly the branches withered.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”  (Luke 15:5, 6)

As they withered I decided to cut off a piece and put it in my office as a graphic, physical reminder that I have to stay connected to God if I want to be of any use.

Artist Reception: The Way of the Cross

Patricia Trudeau, a very talented artist local to Guilderland, is sharing her The Way of the Cross series with us in July and August.  Take the opportunity to meet & appreciate Patricia at our artist reception Sunday, 7/11, Noon.

Here is Patricia’s statement on the overall intention of the series…

 With each of these 15 canvases I put my own experiences into them. I relived some very unpleasant memories. The relationship I have now with Christ compassion has magnified ten fold. I understand so much more.

With each of these works I had to experience what must have gone on within each. I prepared each piece by putting oil paint and oil stain on the canvas and then dripped and splashed and sprayed water on it and I sat back and watched as the paint pulled against the water and the water restricted and bounced. I moved the canvas around a bit but did little and allowed chance to happen. This was my representation of good and evil and how each intertwined but never meet. I put each contemporary interpretation into a circle. Together as a whole the circles are fluid and meet up with the very last Station which is resurrection. The Journey was a full circle. When put side by side the contemporary circles create waves. The contemporary depictions are generic and I avoided anything political.

I realize it can never be to the depth and extent of the exact people and events but I felt the woman in this series mostly and I related to Simon and Veronica and the solders and identified with all of them in order to try to walk the steep path and go on and on in this journey, step by arduous step. I felt like I needed to walk by painting this series in order to get to the resurrection. I did not know it would take over 5 years to do.

I usually paint warm and happier paintings. I just came off of painting water images for years. Some turbulant, mostly serene though.  I painted all types of water.  Oceans, lakes, streams, in all the seasons. I paint portraits of my children and some iare intense but never like the images in the Way of the Cross Series.  I have painted my husband. I have painted my Father after he passed on and I painted my mother.  I have paintied some of my pets. In between these paintings of the Way of the Cross,  I would sell paintings of Irises and the like. It was a balance.

This was difficult. Something kept propelling me. I had no one commission me; there was no reason to do this. I would be asked by many, “”Why are you doing this? For who?” But I just needed to, wanted to, almost had to. Scripture predominantly came to me in meditation before the painting, sometimes afterwards like with the 4th Station (Jesus comforts His Mother) and the 15th (Resurrection)

I hope to share with you now this Journey that I interpreted onto 15 canvases.

Final Departure

Dear Christ’s Church Family,

 You really have been family to Melissa, my boys, and myself.  It’s a very difficult day for me as begin my final drive out of town.

You took a chance on me as a 27 year old kid pastor four years ago.  Who knows what you were thinking!  However, by God’s grace, and your patience, there’s no doubt in my mind that it was God’s plan to bring us together for the season we shared.  I thought it would be longer.

Thank you for all you’ve done to encourage, support, and embrace my family.  You’ve been the best! 

Stay in touch,

 

Brian Hofmeister

414-807-4017

brian@hofmeistergallery.com

W178 S7791 Kittery Ct.

Muskego, WI  53150

www.root48.wordpress.com

www.HofmeisterGallery.com

 

Nervosity Mural Project 2010: How We Help Aids in Africa

This mural depicts how Nervosity, a teen battle of the bands competition and of the school year celebration, ultimately helps the Aids epidemic in Africa. 

The progression from left to right shows how 1) the Nervosity event (teen battle of the bands) can support 2) a non-profit organization (Forgotten Voices Silhouette Logo) which supports 3) Zimbabwe churches (central steeple) which supports 4) Zimbabwe villages (crowd gathered under the tree for education) which ultimately supports 5) individuals diagnosed, orphaned, or otherwise affected by HIV/AIDS (child with open hand).

The completed mural will “go on tour” in the greater North East at schools, malls, and local arts events, as Nervosity and Forgotten Voices further their commitment to spread Aids awareness throughout the region.

To display this mural at your school or event, please contact Jonathon Hentrich at jhentrich@lifechangechurch.com, 518-456-8063.

It’s Official, Welcome Richard Luke as our Newest Elder!

Family

Married to Jo Ann Luke since 1998; five Children; Rachel, Jeremiah, Reagan, Rebecca, Joshua

 

Favorite Bible Verse

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

 

 

Few People Know
As a teenager, my first job was at a bakery making doughnuts from 11 PM until 7 AM.

 

Strengths

Leadership, Discernment, Worship Leading, Understanding People, Determination.

 

Education

Military training in submarine navigation and operation, as a Navigation Electronics technician, various college courses, and computer industry certifications.

 

Free time

Being with family, volunteering, gardening, hiking, home improvement projects, reading, vacations.

 

Favorite Quote
Proverbs 3:5 - “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.”

 

History with Christ’s Church

My wife and I moved to the area and started attending Christ’s Church in July 2004.  I have participated in several missions trips and I have been leading the small group since the fall 2009.  I was ordained as an Elder in the spring of 2010.

Responsibility for Children’s Ministry

Throughout June and July we would like to collect pictures/stories of your child putting into action “what in the world are you doing?” which is the theme that goes with the virtue RESPONSIBILITY.

The end goal is to use our God given resources, gifts and talents in a way that will show the world we love all God has given us and we want to  “Shine like Jesus to help others follow Him”

 If possible email or send in a picture on Sunday of your child putting Bible Truths into action! Another option is to help them formulate a story to share that tells how they have proven faithful and why.

 Examples:

• Action: Take care of what God made; do your part; do chores with cheerful attitude

Benefit: Please parents, show God you’re grateful

Take a picture of your child folding laundry, carrying recycling, or filling the dishwasher. Paste/Tape the picture on paper with a caption and send it in/ email it in. We will post this in the FTD.

• Action: Make list of child’s  talents, skills, abilities; choose 1-2 , use to help someone this week

Benefit: Bless yourself & others

Take a picture of your child singing song for Grandma to bring her joy or…?

•  Action: “Bite” tongue, stop, think of encouraging words instead; ask God for help

Benefit: Help others, not feel guilty

Take a picture of your child with your family and list the words your family will choose to use to encourage one another.  

Other options are: Sign up for the Back Pack Give A Way held at the Rescue Mission  by contacting Deb Lee dlee8807@nycap.rr.com or 518 630-0038, Help your child earn allowance to bring in their own offering which will be given to the Arbor Hill Project this month. Want more info about the House on the Hill project or how you can help? Contact Curt Swanson: bcswanson@nycap.rr.com 518 365-3438

We will save a minute for DO TELL US during your child’s Large Group time and they can show or tell…

What in the World are you doing!

As always your questions and input can go to: Jaldrich@lifechangechurch.com,  518 456-8063 ext. 205

Serving Jesus, Your Family and Your Children,

Jean Aldrich, Children’s Pastor

New Art Exhibit

Browse our halls starting this weekend for our latest art exhibit by Gail Kessler, Danny Farrington, and Cornelia Schmitter! 

Artist reception is at 6/6, Noon.  The exhibit will run through the last Sunday of June. 

Our July/August exhibit will be Patricia Trudeau’s Way of the Cross Series.

Church Has Left the Building Photos

If you haven’t visited the Church Has Left the Building photos, be sure to do so HERE.  If you’re on facebook, join the CHLTB group while you’re there.