LCM News

Lutheran Campus Ministry

at the University of Delaware

The mission of Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Delaware is to express our Faith in God through fellowship, outreach and service.

Message from the Pastor

Hi, friends!

How did it get to be March so quickly? It seemed like just yesterday we celebrated the new year; it seems like just last evening we all gathered in the chapel to rediscover old friends and make new ones for the first time this year. Now it’s March, and almost time for spring break …

Time goes so very quickly in every part of the world, and nowhere does it seem to go more quickly than at a place like the university. I think that one of the most important things we learn at this place of learning is the “trick” of making time. Sounds like the skill of “conjuring,” doesn’t it: like something we might learn better at a “Hogwarts Institute” or “Time Creation” rather than from a management course in the School of Business … Or — this is an honest question! — do we not so much “make” time as “take” time? I mean: it’s Lent. Do we, for instance, make time for devotion, for Lenten worship, for adding the discipline service (as in FISH) or do we take time for extra practices like this? I really do not know.

What I am sure of, though, is that we do set priorities. And while “church” and “church activity” might not be the main priority — attention to your major, for instance, is probably pretty high on your list — without learning to give (or make or take) time to attend to God and to care for the world, through time spent in devotion and worship, the rest of life gets out of control … and does so very quickly. This is a place of learning: and more important than anything else is learning to set priorities so that they include the rightful place that has God in our lives.

Peace and Power,

PB

Why Christianity?

 
This month’s contributor is freshman Jacalyn DiOttavio a Freshmen Physics Education Major.

Throughout my childhood, church was never really an option. On Sundays my mom expected that my brother and I would be in the car, ready to leave for Sunday school and church at 9:05 am. Now that I am in college I realize that my mom can no longer require that I go to church. She has done her part, and it is up to me to decide how much I want to remain in the faith.

I decided to join LCM because I felt that it was important for me to continue on my journey with God. I am choosing to stay an active Christian because I feel that my life would be directionless without God. Whenever I am feeling confused or lost or helpless, I am comforted by the knowledge that God is always with me. During the transition into college when everything was changing and all of the people I relied on before were not around, God was there. When life gets stressful, it’s reassuring to know that it is all part of God’s plan. God has provided me with everything I have and he will always love me. I want to spend the rest of my life thanking him, loving him, and using the many gifts that he’s given me.

I don’t necessarily have to continue going to church to continue loving and praising God, but it certainly helps. The more I learn about Jesus, God’s greatest gift of love, the easier it is to find reason to worship. The more I learn about what makes God happy, the easier it is to please him. And the more I learn about what God expects from all Christians, the easier it is to direct my life.

So Christianity is no longer an obligation, but an option that I willingly accept. I can’t imagine a life without God. I can’t accept that when I’m by myself I am actually alone. I can’t accept that the amazing complexity of this world all happened by chance. I can’t accept that this life is all that exists. There is a God, and he deserves to be praised. That’s why!

Service Spot

Please contact Amelia Blenderman at ameliaib@udel.edu if you are interested in helping out with FISH or any service projects.

Looking for some service opportunities?

Join us as we tutor elementary students in math and English at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday nights. Rides will be available from Pauls’ Chapel at 6:15 pm.

Join us as we help those in need of supplementary groceries at our next FISH (Fellowship in Serving the Hungry) distribution. Our next distribution will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Friday, March 20 from 2 to 6 pm. Rides will be available from Pauls’ Chapel at 1:45 pm.

Join us as we help build homes for those in our community with Habitat for Humanity! We will be helping out on March 21. Rides will be available from Pauls’ Chapel.

Do Something More Campaign

As we enter the season of Lent, many people give something up, such as chocolate or cookies. However, this year, why not do something more??? Instead of giving up those sweets, help those in our community who are in need of food for their daily meals. LCM has food offerings during every Tuesday-night worship. We would like to ask you to consider bringing non-perishable items to be used toward FISH. Of course, any non-perishable item is fantastic, but here are some ideas. Any monetary donations will also be put toward FISH groceries.

Suggested offerings:

March 3 — Macaroni & Cheese

March 10 — Jell-O

March 17 — Applesauce

March 24 — Raisins

March 31 — Fruit Cups

April 7 — Ramen/Cup of Noodles or Pasta

We hope to see you at these events!

Why give up something for Lent?!?!?

Do Something More!

A Lenten Campaign for Service

Instead of giving up those chocolates or cookies, help us do something more for our community this Lent. LCM collects food offering at worship every Tuesday. Any non-perishable is acceptable, but please look at the “Service Spot” for suggestions.

You can also help us as we join Habitat for Humanity on March 21. All help is welcome, even if you have never held a hammer in your life! We hope to see you there!

LCM Lent 2009 Schedule

Normal Weekly Activities PLUS!!!

Lenten Soup Suppers and Worship

At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Wednesday Nights from March 3– March 25.

Soup Supper at 6 p.m.

Worship at 7:15 p.m.

Rides leave Pauls’ Chapel at 5:45 p.m.

Palm Sunday Worship

& Hot Cross Bun Brunch

April 5, 2009

Worship at 10:45 a.m. at St. Paul’s.

Brunch afterwards at Pauls’ Chapel.

Holy Week Communion Services

At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Daily at 12 p.m. from April 6 – April 8.

Rides leave Pauls’ Chapel at 11:45 a.m.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services

April 9 – April 10

Worship at 7 p.m.

Rides leave Pauls’ Chapel at 6:45 p.m.

Every Monday Night at 7 p.m.

In the Bonheoffer House of Studies

(Next door to the chapel)

We will move through a 40-day journey through Lent with a Lenten Bible Study on Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark.

Contact lutherans@udel.edu

for more information!
LADIES OF LCM!!!!

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Women

Cordially invites you to a

Women’s Retreat

March 7, 2009

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

At the Judge Morris Estate near Newark.

With Bishop Blair Couch as the Keynote Speaker.

Contact Chris Ebert at cebert@udel.edu for more information.
Hilltop Superstars

March 7, 2009

6:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Central YMCA, Wilmington

An athletic fundraising event for

Hilltop Lutheran Community Center.

E-mail lutherans@udel.edu for more information.

Habitat For Humanity

March 21, 2009

E-mail lutherans@udel.edu

for more information.

LCM Celebrates EASTER!!!!

The Resurrection of our Lord

April 12, 2009

Easter Vigil Worship

At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

April 11

Worship at 8 p.m.

Easter Sunday Worship

April 12

At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Worship at 10:45 a.m.

Easter Sunday Dinner

At the Ebert’s

2 p.m.

E-mail lutherans@udel.edu for ride information.

April 17-19, 2009

Email lutherans@udel.edu

for more information.

May 2-3, 2009

Delaware Field House

Visit www.lutheransatud.org and click on the “Relay for Life” link to donate

or join our team.

E-mail lutherans@udel.edu

for more information.

Lutheran Campus Ministry is in need of three peer ministers for the

2009-2010 school year.

One for Fellowship.

One for Outreach.

One for Service.

Do you have gifts in these areas?

Do you want to hear more?

Contact Pastor Bruce at heggen@udel.edu for more information.

Must be a full-time University of Delaware Student in the 2009-2010 school year. You will receive a stipend for your service if selected.