February 2012 - Kinsmen Lutheran Church

KINSMEN LUTHERAN CHURCH
Connection
FEBRUARY 2012
Saturday, February 25
7 PM
Details on p. 3
Inside This Issue
A Note From Pastor Jeff 2
Inspiring Worship 3—4
Experiencing Family 5—9
Sharing Grace 10—13
Kinsmen Budget Update 12
Photos 14
February Birthdays 15
12100 Champion Forest Dr. Houston, TX 77066
281‐444‐3126 (P) 281‐444‐1733 (F)
kinsmenlutheran.org

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Page views From April 1—9
A Note From Pastor Jeff...
February 1, 2012
Dear Partners in Mission,
In the letter accompanying our year end
2011 financial statements I shared much
of the information below. The letter
went to contributing households. We
have many households that contributed
nothing ($0) or a very, very small
percentage of the financial blessings
God entrusted to them. You are still
welcome to make a 2012 estimate of
giving. There are cards and envelopes
throughout our sanctuary. The staff and
I do not know --- you are asked to make
an estimate, place it in a sealed envelope
that you have addressed to your home.
It is mailed to you unopened at the end
of the year.
To those who gave THANK YOU! Thank
you for your extraordinary generosity!
Your generosity is one reason among
many Pastor Mark and I and the staff are
grateful to serve our Lord with you!
Because of your extraordinary
generosity, we accomplished the
following in 2011:
• In 2011 we gave away $219,530!
This represents just over 17% of the
funds we received in general
Thankofferings and “A Place for All
People” capital appeal. One of the
questions church consultants ask
pastors is this one: “If the
congregation you serve did not
exist, would your community miss
it” Of all the places we have served
my answer would be the loudest,
“YES!”
• Sara Witte joined the staff as our full
time Director of Children’s Ministry.
• Arthur Murphy joined the staff as
our first fulltime Intern Pastor.
• The total expenditure for our
fantastic staff in 2011, and now in
2012, is less than 50% for our
budget for the first time in at least a
decade.
• We reduced our mortgage by
$82,662. By next month it will be
less than $500,000. If we were to
receive a one time special gift or
several gifts equaling $500,000 to
burn the mortgage, Irene tells me
that would free up $94,700 per year
to invest in community needs and
facility improvements! WE CAN DO
THIS!
• We reduced the short term
operational debt incurred in 2010
by $35,617. It now stands at
$38,796.
• We paid $100,000+ in cash to
resurrect, repave, and restripe our
parking lot.
• We received roughly $25,000 in
special gifts for things like computer
hardware and software, internet
and network improvements, media
upgrades and extending the media
booth all the way to the north wall.
THANK YOU! Thank you for your
practice of extraordinary generosity! We
all need to thank such folks like Financial
Secretary Irene Baasen (on staff now for
21 of her 84 years), Office Manager Julie
Hughes, Treasurer Jill Henze, Payroll
Clerk and volunteer!!! Jane Jacobi for
getting maximum value for every penny
we receive for the ministry we share!
In our campus, previous generations
entrusted us with a wonderful tool for
ministry! Our Campus Management
Team led by Jimmy Meyer is receiving
bids on updating and adding hot water
to our restrooms by the sanctuary.
Other needs such as the kitchen (aren’t
the Sunday breakfasts great!); replacing
the carpeting and painting the walls by
the Community Life Center may be
needed as well. Thank you! Thank
you! Thank You! You inspire me! WELL
DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL
SERVANTS!
In Christ,
Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor
Lent and Easter Worship Schedule
Ash Wednesday – February 22 at 12 noon and 7 PM
Midweek Lenten Services – February 29, March 7, March 14, March 21, and
March 28 at 7 PM
Maundy Thursday – April 5 at 7 PM
Good Friday – April 6 at 12 noon and 7 PM
EASTER SUNRISE – April 8 at 6:15 AM
EASTER FESTIVAL WORSHIP – April 8 at 8 AM, 9:30 AM and 11 AM

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Afraid! The Gospel of Mark
Saturday, Feb 25, 7 PM
“Imagine...the floor under your feet in
dirt...The only light is coming from
candles...We’re in the
catacombs...underneath Rome…”
So begins a spellbinding performance of
the Gospel of Mark...acclaimed by critics,
scholars, and church leaders alike… that
may deepen your encounter with the
Gospel forever.
AFRAID! is a one-man play, starring
acclaimed film and television actor Frank
Runyeon, staged with dramatic lighting
and audience interaction. Its text is the
Gospel of Mark, translated into
contemporary American speech. As
characters, settings and shadows shift,
the Gospel engages the audience's
imaginations, surprises them with flashes
of humor, and drives relentlessly forward
with all the dramatic suspense you
would expect from great theater.
Every Christian has wondered what it
would have been like: to have been
there, in Galilee, and met Jesus...
AFRAID! is an effort to help those in the
audience have that encounter by doing
exactly what the evangelist Mark did: by
telling the story in the present tense, here
and now, from beginning to end, in
everyday language--and making the
audience members part of the action....
Audience members are addressed, as the
actor roams the room... They are healed,
asked for a coin, or given bread...
And they are challenged not to be afraid,
but to go out and tell the story to others.
(MK 16:8)
By the time the last candle is blown out,
each audience member has a sense that
they are part of the story God is writing,
not simply spectators... that Jesus is a
very real Presence among them.... and
that they are called, not to be afraid, but
to follow Him.
Lenten study
Lent is one of the six seasons in the
church year. As early as the mid-fourth
century, Christians have observed this
season of soul searching and repentance.
It is a time of simplicity, renewal
and preparation. It is the 40 day period
before Easter. (Sundays do not count
because every Sunday is a mini-
Resurrection.) Lent begins on Ash
Wednesday, February 22, and concludes
triumphantly on Easter Sunday,
April 8.
This Lent our
church-wide study
will be “Making
Sense of the Cross”,
written by David J.
Lose and published
by Augsburg Fortress.
Even though
the cross stands at
the center of our
faith lives, we often
don’t pause to consider
its meaning
and significance.
Perhaps because we see the
cross almost everywhere-in churches; on
signs and bumper stickers; worn as jewelry;
used as imagery in art, film and
television- we forget what a powerful
and even troubling image it was for the
first Christians. The curious thing about
the cross is that as central as it is to shaping
or Christian faith, we don’t really talk
about it all that much. We don’t talk
about what it means, what it accom-
plishes, why Jesus had to die, or
whether Jesus had to die.
You are invited to reflect on the meaning
and significance of the cross with a
small group. Kinsmen has established
small groups that would love to have
you join them and there are new small
groups forming. The study will begin
February 26 and conclude with Passion/Palm
Sunday, April 1. This study
may also be done as an individual. The
book, Making Sense of the Cross will be
available to purchase for $10 beginning
February 19.
If you are interested in being a part of
this 6 week study, contact Lynnae
Schatz
(lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org) or 281-
444-3126.

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Our Media influence extended
While we were in the
beginning stages of the
completion of the media
booth, I received the
following email from a
gentleman in Germany:
‘I am an American living
in Germany and watch your services
every week. I love them and find them
inspiring. I attend Evangelical Lutheran
Services in Germany however the
churches are mostly empty except on
Christmas Eve Services. I am a resident
of Michigan and attend Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church on the American Post
called Panzer Kaserne. We have many
Germans that attend our services as well.
But I love your services and both of your
Pastors. God blessings to you. God
blessing to you and may our Lord
continue to inspire your staff and
Pastors.’
It made me realize just how truly blessed
we are to be able to share Inspiring
Worship around the world! Thank you
all for your extraordinary generosity for
completion of our media services.
Julie Hughes
Church
Council
The 2012 Kinsmen Council installed on January 28 and 29.
Mark Hanson (President)
Patrick Beecher (Vice President)
Jill Henze (Treasurer)
Kathy Sutter (Secretary)
Doug Wittenberg
Matt Dankert
Eric Wietstruck
Patti Benesh
Jennifer Nash
Outgoing Members: Dorcas Staff, Dale Parr, Bob Boller
New members joined the Kinsmen family on January 29
Jose Arias
Pablo Arias, Sandra Gutierrez, and Santiago Arias
Dina and Lorena Castenada
Edith Chuta
Caleb Shaw
Anna Wacholz
Lois Ward
Ric and Merri Weber
Mary Williams

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WORSHIP SERVANT OPPORTUNITIES
Becoming a worship servant is a great first step, an easy way to serve and a great way to
meet fellow Kinsmen. Every week it takes up to 60 people to serve in worship. Are you
willing to serve People are needed to serve in all positions - Greeters, Ushers, Lectors,
Communion Assistants, Tellers, Acolytes, Communion Bread Bakers, Altar Guild, Welcome
Center Hosts, Flower Ministry, Media Team, and Lay Ministers. Training is available.
It’s easy to become involved. Indicate your desire to serve on the pew slip or contact
Lynnae Schatz (lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org).
Kinsmen seniors
FEBRUARY 14 FROM 1-2:30 PM. The Seniors
have been asked to host and sponsor a
Valentines party for Kinsmen private Kindergarten
and 1st Grade students (there
are about 15). We are in need of volunteers.
Please let us hear from you.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 is Shrove Tuesday,
also known as Pancake Day, Pancake
Tuesday, and Fat Tuesday, a term used in
English-speaking countries for the day preceding
Ash Wednesday, or the first day of
the season of fasting and prayer called Lent. What a perfect day
to have a pancake supper at Church! The flapjacks will be served
starting at 6 PM, and we would like people to come early to help
set up. There will be a freewill offering. This supper will be open
to everyone. Reservation required by Sunday, February 19.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, we have a bus that will be leaving
Church at 4:30
PM for the 5 Browns
performance at the
Grand
in Galveston. The 5
Browns are siblings
that attended
the Juilliard School
simultaneously, and
have been featured
on “Oprah,” “60 Minutes,”
“The Tonight
Show,” and others.
This musical features
5 Steinways played in
uncontrolled acoustical intimacy. Prior to the performance, we
will stop at Shrimp n Stuff for something to eat. The cost will be
$22 per person plus the cost of your meal.
What’s for dinner
Join us for family dinners Wednesdays at 5:45 PM! Enjoy a
midweek meal with your Kinsmen family. The cost for adult
dinners is $5. Children ages 4—12 years cost $3. Children 3
and under eat free. In a rush Pick it up to go!
February 1: Spaghetti
February 8: Porkloin
February 15: Meatloaf
February 22: Fish
February 29: Chicken
Parmesan
gospel of mark
Grab your dinner and Study
the Gospel of Mark during
the Wednesday night suppers
from 6-7 PM. For information,
contact Intern Pastor
Arthur Murphy

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A romantic Italian evening
Kinsmen’s annual Marriage Celebration
Dinner will be on Saturday, February 11,
2012 from 6:30 to 9 PM in the
Community Life Center. A catered
dinner will be served. Bring a bottle of
wine to share with the new friends you
will make at your table. Tickets will be
$40 per couple and are on sale now.
Tickets must be pre-purchased by
February 6. Childcare is available for
children through Grade 5. For more
information contact Lynnae Schatz
(lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org).
This annual event is always a highlight
of the season, and is greatly enjoyed by
all who attend. Don’t miss this evening
of good food
and good
times in
celebration
of the
helpmate
God has
given you.
Ladies morning bible study
The Ladies Thursday Morning Bible
Study is studying Anthony Stanley’s new
and exciting study. This book will help
us to not only discover God's will for
ourselves but those in our circle of
friends and acquaintances as well.
Please join us every Thursday through
the middle of May from 10 AM until
noon to see what all the fuss is about! If
you need any additional information
please feel free to contact Shella Smith
(shellaraed@hotmailcom or 832-683-
4777).
God has a wonderful and fulfilling vision
for your life. Yet determining God’s will
can be a difficult process, especially
when you need to make a decision
quickly! “Discovering God’s Will” by
Andy Stanley will take you through the
important steps of decision making: Pursuing
God’s will Seeking counsel from
others Learning to use discernment Understanding
the mind of God through
Scripture .
Ladies night bible study
The Thursday Night Bible Study meets at
7 PM in the Community Room. We are
studying "James Mercy Triumphs" by
Beth Moore. What good is your faith
James forces us to face the implications
of faith. Be inspired to put your faith into
action practical ways as you get to know
both the man and the book of James.
For more information please call Colette
Edwards (832-922-5490) or Kathleen
Masiko (281-450-8731).
Bible scholars compare James to the
prophet Amos. In other ways James
more closely resembles the Book of
Proverbs than any New Testament
book. Come along with Beth Moore on
a journey to get to know both the man
and the Book of James. You will never
be the same again.
Topics in this study include: joy, hardship,
faith, reversal of fortunes for rich
and poor, wisdom, gifts from above,
single-mindedness, the dangers of the
tongue, humility, and prayer. Plus, Beth
introduces a 5-tiered study approach
that she has never done before.

7th Grade Youth And Parents
Relationship Milestone
7th Grade
youth and
their
parents
are invited
to two
milestone
sessions
entitled “Relationships.”
These sessions should help parents and
youth begin talking about how our faith
is a part of building healthy emerging
adult relationships.
The sessions will take place on Sunday,
February 5, 9:30—10:30 AM and
Saturday, February 11 at 4 PM in Great
Room 1 and 2. Parents and youth
should attend together. The Milestone
will be celebrated at the 5:30 PM
Worship Service on Saturday, February
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12 following the class. Following the
Worship Service the 7th Grade youth
will serve as a part of the Marriage
Milestone Dinner. If you have any
questions, contact Pastor Mark.
Lent SWAT
Lent begins February 22 which is Ash Wednesday. All high school and 8th grade youth are invited to
Wednesday night Bible study after the Lenten worship services beginning February 29 from 7:45-8:30
PM in the Loft. Each week, we will have a time of fellowship, Bible study and discussion in small groups,
and community prayers. We hope to see you in worship and that you will join us as we begin our Lenten
journey. SWAT on February 1, 8, and 15 begins at 7PM.
ELCA Youth Gathering News
Youth and Parents Meeting—Ash Wednesday—6PM—The Loft
On Ash Wednesday, February 22 we will have our next meeting for youth attending the ELCA
Gathering and their parents. This meeting will be an opportunity to explore the Biblical themes of
the Gathering and plan the logistics. From my experience, the more time we spend together as a
group, the better our experience is at the ELCA Youth Gathering.
Lutherhill Sr. High retreat
February 17-19
Did you miss a deadline
The Lutherhill Senior High Retreat is February 17-19.
Registration forms are due now, but don't worry there is still time to join other High School
youth from all over Texas for a faith filled weekend at Lutherhill.
Our retreat leader will share his unique perspective drawn from his time serving in Iraq and from
his time serving through campus ministry at Ohio State.
Contact Pastor Mark ASAP if you would like to attend

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Milestone Ministry
Pre-Kindergarten (4 year old) Milestone –
“Praying Together”
Mark your calendars! Students and
parents, come learn more ways to pray
together at the Milestone sessions from
9:30—10:30 AM on February 19 and 26
in Room 4 and 5. These two sessions will
be a time of fun, learning and celebration
as your child reaches their milestone.
They will be recognized on February 26
at the 11 AM service. Please make plans
now to share in this Milestone with your
child! For more information contact Sara
Witte (281-444-3127 ext.17 or
switte@kinsmenlutheran.org.)
Announcing Camp Hope 2012
Viva Fiesta!
Week 2—
Life’s a dance!
Join David as he dances
from shepherd to king!
Week 1—
Get fired up
with Elijah & Elisha as
they take risks
in trusting God.
June
11-15, 18-22,
25-29
Registration forms will be available
mid-February on The Messenger and
our website.
Week 3—
Jesus invites
us to the celebration
that never ends!

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2011-2012 Milestone ministry Calendar
Milestone Ministry – Passing on
faith…. milestone by milestone.
A faith milestone is a marker along
life's journey that says, "This is something
important and God is here,
too!" It's time to pause, to share the
joys and sorrows, to give and receive
support. Milestones are a
time of fun, learning and celebrating
as we the important Milestones
in one’s faith life.
3‐Year‐Olds Beginning Sunday School Aug. 21, 2011
Pre‐kindergarten Prayer Feb. 19 & 26, 2012
Kindergarten Worship and The Church Jan. 8 & 15, 2012
Year
1 st Grade Missions/Service Jan. 22 & 29, 2012
2nd Grade Stewardship Nov 13 & 20, 2011
3rd Grade God’s Word Sept. 11 & 18, 2011
4th Grade First Communion Oct. 14‐16 & 30, 2011
5th Grade Endings April 22, 2012 (class only)
6th Grade Beginnings Aug. 21, 2011
7th Grade Relationships Feb. 5 & 11, 2012
8th Grade Rite of Confirmation May 6, 2012
9th Grade Beginnings Aug. 14 & 21, 2011
10th Grade Driver’s License Sept. 18 & 25, 2011
12th Grade High School Graduation April 22, 2012
All Ages Grief and Healing Nov. 5, 2011
All Ages Marriage Feb. 11, 2012
Children’s summer camp at lutherhill
You’ve seen the posters.
You’ve seen the write up
in the bulletins, but you
haven’t filled out the registration form to
send your child to summer camp yet.
“What is camp exactly” you might be
wondering. I’m glad you asked!
Jeff Merhige, the executive director of a
YMCA camp for over 20 years, speaks
from a parent perspective about why
camp is important for children in this
excerpt from his article “Why the World
Needs Summer Camp: An Essay to
Parents.”
As parents, our hopes and jobs are to
ready our kids to be productive,
independent, and capable people — to
prepare them to thrive without us.
Camp offers a way for kids to start
developing those skills in the best
possible environment. It makes me a bit
sad every time my son runs off to join his
cabin group without even a look back ...
and at the same time, I burst with pride
watching him growing into a happy,
independent, tolerant, open, confident,
and capable person. I know that we will
have plenty to talk about when he gets
home from camp. I also know he will
remember the trust and gift of his time
at camp, and it will add to him for the
rest of his life.
There is so much competition for our
children’s time in the summer — sports
practices, summer school, well-deserved
vacations. But let’s
not forget the
value of a camp
experience —
camp is a gift we
can give our children that they will
benefit from and remember forever. If
ever there was a time when the world
needed a generation of future leaders
who understood the intricacies of living
in a community, having tolerance, and
being open — that time is now.”
(Originally published in the 2011
November/December Camping Magazine.)
I hope your child will join us July 29 —
August 3 at camp this summer! If you
have any questions, please feel free to
contact Sara Witte
(switte@kinsmenlutheran.org).

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Mission interpreter moment
It began one evening in 2003 a candlelit
room in Monrovia, the capital city of
Liberia.
A young woman named Leymah
Gbowee gathered a group of 20
women and invited them to share their
stories. They spoke of husbands and
sons murdered, sisters and daughters
raped, and children dying from hungerthe
brutal results of the country’s civil
war that began in 1989.
These women had mourned in silence
until Leymah urged them to take action
in the name of peace. Soon the group of
20 grew to thousands.
Known as the “women dressed in
white,” the “Women of Liberia Mass
Action for Peace” marched, prayed, and
picketed in silence and demanded meetings
with government and rebel leaders.
With Leymah at the helm, their nonviolent
movement helped to successfully
end Liberia’s 14-year civil war.
Leymah admits that she never believed
her efforts would take her where she is
today, including winning the Nobel
Peace Prize in October 2011. She was
simply trying to secure a future for her
six children.
“The one way I see us changing this
world is by speaking up, standing up,”
Leymah says. “It’s time to say to the evils
of this world, ‘Go back to the shadows,
because the good is taking in the light.’”
Since childhood, Leymah has been an
active member of the Lutheran Church
of Liberia, a
companion
church of the
ELCA. She
attended Lutheran
schools, and
her “first connection
with
God came
from attending
the Lutheran
church.”
Later Leymah
became president
of the
women’s organization
at
St. Peter’s Lutheran
Church
in Monrovia, and she worked as a case
worker for the Lutheran Church in Liberia’s
Trauma Healing and Reconciliation
Program, supported by the ELCA. As a
case manager, Leymah was sent to
work with child soldiers, a
“transforming” experience for her.
Leymah was the recipient of the ELCA
International Leadership Development
scholarship that supported her studies
in peace building at Eastern Mennonite
University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, in
2005.
“Providing opportunities for education
and training are key ways in which we
accompany our global companions in
their efforts to expand their leadership
and institutional capacities,” says Tammy
Jackson, director of the ELCA churchwide
program.
Like Leymah, we have all have a story to
tell. We cannot keep quiet about what
we have seen and heard!
Our ELCA, sixty-five synods participate in
over 120 international companionships.
These companionships extend the
bilateral relationships between our
churches and Lutheran church bodies in
other countries. “When companions
engage one another in authentic relationships,
everyone's lives are changed,”
says Peggy Contos Hahn, 
Assistant to
the Bishop for Global Mission. Your congregation’s
Mission Support dollars
helped make Leymah’s story possible.
Thank you!
For more information on the companion
synod program, go to
www.elca.org/companionsynod.
Christine Donahue
Mission Interpreter Coordinator
cedonahue@gmail.com

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Living well 2012
What’s the big deal about Vitamin D It
turns out that vitamin D may actually be
more critical than Vitamin C when it
comes to fighting off colds. Vitamin D
plays a number of roles in our bodies,
including:
• Promoting absorption of calcium
and bone health
• Boosting immune function
• Reducing inflammation
• Healthy neuromuscular function
• Protecting against some forms of
cancer
Vitamin D doesn't always get the attention
it deserves. Very few foods in nature
contain Vitamin D. The best
sources are salmon, tuna and mackerel
and fish liver oils. Beef liver, cheese and
egg yolks also contain small amounts. If
these foods don't sound very appealing
to you, there is good news: you don't
have to eat vitamin D to make sure
you're getting your daily dose! Vitamin
D is actually produced in your body
when ultraviolet rays from sunlight
strike your skin. The UV rays trigger synthesis
of vitamin D, which then gets
converted in your liver into its active
form. This means one of the best ways
to get vitamin D is to spend about 10-15
minutes a day outside in the sun. The
bad news is that wearing sunscreen will
prevent you from getting an adequate
amount of vitamin D outdoors.
There's an even easier way to get your
vitamin D: many foods in the American
diet are fortified with this essential nutrient.
In fact, fortified foods provide the
majority of vitamin D in our diets. Almost
all of the US milk supply is fortified
with 100 units per cup
So exactly how much Vitamin D should
you aim for each day For adults, the
recommended daily dose is between
600 and 800 International Units (IU).
So if preventing colon, prostate and
breast cancers, building strong bones,
fighting off colds, and slowing aging
sounds like a good deal to you - look for
it all in one simple package: vitamin D.
Pre super bowl party & fundraiser
Sunday, February 5
12—2 PM
Come on out and help raise money to
send our senior youth to ELCA National
Youth Gathering in New Orleans this
summer! The money raised will help
defray the cost of this fantastic trip.
The Youth Gathering of over 35,000
Lutheran youth occurs once every three
years. At the Youth Gathering, we study
God’s Word, worship together in the
Superdome, witness the scope of the
work of this church in the world, and
participate in service projects in the host
city.
Tickets are
$8 and
include a
BBQ
chicken
plate with homemade sides. Dine in or
carry out. There will also be games for
children, a silent auction, and a live
dessert auction.
To purchase your BBQ tickets, we
recommend that you call or stop by the
Kinsmen office by Wednesday, Feb 1. A
small number of tickets will also be
available for sale on the day of the
event.
DONATIONS
• Silent auction
donations - drop off
at Kinsmen office by
5 PM Friday, Feb. 3.
• Dessert donations -
email Pastor Mark, drop off in the
Flower Room by 11 AM Sunday.
National Youth Gathering occurs once
every three years, but it changes lives
forever.
YOU CAN HELP CHANGE A LIFE!

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Kinsmen Budget Update & Glimpses of Grace
KINSMEN BUDGET UPDATE - CHURCH ONLY
Month Of December
Budget Actual Variance
Income $208,608 $171,048 ($37,560)
Expense $144,490 $142,432 $2,058
Over/(Under) 64,118 28,616 ($35,502)
Year to Date (December)
Total Income $1,694,800 $1,627,805 ($66,995)
Total Expense $1,694,800 $1,685,030 $9,770
Net $ - ($57,225) ($57,225)
GLIMPSES OF SHARING GRACE: CARE MINISTRY
January 2012
Total Flower Bouquets Rearranged 62
Total Prayer Shawls Given 2
GLIMPSES OF GRACE
December 2011
Noisy Offering (Water 2 Thrive) $5318.62
General Mission Support $12,832.34
Designated Mission Support $6,694.00
Naomi Circle (Reach Unlimited) $280.00
ASK Scholarship Benevolence $405.00
World Hunger $163.00
Life Center for the Homeless $600.00
December TOTAL $26,295.76
Good Samaritan Fund (year) $3,498.00
Thanksgiving Feast $1470.00
Y-T-D TOTAL $190,030.44
Lent....Share Grace
NAM Supply Drive
Kinsmen is a covenant congregation
with Northwest Assistance Ministries. A
covenant congregation is one that
helps fulfill NAM's mission which is "To
strive to meet
basic human
needs through
Neighbors
helping
Neighbors." The
basic need is
food. Other
needs include
bath and hygiene
essentials and
medical supplies
for the Children's
Clinic.
During Lent, Kinsmen will collect
needed items in the Narthex (lobby) for
NAM. A list of the needs is below.
Bring any of these items to church
between February 22 and April 1
as we share grace by helping our
neighbors in need. Any questions,
contact Lynnae Schatz
(lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org).
Non-Perishable food items
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body soap
Baby Soap
Baby wipes
Diapers
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Laundry detergent
Dish soap
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Razors
Brush/Comb
BandAids
Tylenol (can be generic)

Justice Peru
P AGE 13

P AGE 14
Acolyte get-together

P AGE 15
Trevor Wright
1-Feb
Shamera Simpson
11-Feb
Ashley Blackwell
20-Feb
Ruth Thompson
1-Feb
Candace Alvestad
12-Feb
Bob Parliament
20-Feb
Anika Sutter
1-Feb
Nathan Norem
12-Feb
Dora Roth
21-Feb
Kinsey Cook
1-Feb
William Clifford
12-Feb
Ashley Holzman
21-Feb
Luke Reder
1-Feb
Patsy Fretwell
12-Feb
Nichelle Puder
21-Feb
Gregory Edwards
1-Feb
Alison Sullivan
12-Feb
Raymond Aaron Delgado 21-Feb
Sylvia Castano
2-Feb
Roger Stehn
12-Feb
Ryan Hatkowski
22-Feb
Sylvia Swerdon
2-Feb
Kathi Schmidt
12-Feb
Kori Cook
22-Feb
Garrett Best
2-Feb
Glen Peterson
13-Feb
Christine Heydrick
23-Feb
Tiffany Zbranek
2-Feb
Fred Snyder
14-Feb
Ian Wietstruck
23-Feb
Sarah Johnston
3-Feb
Lauren Zoril
14-Feb
Jacob Awbrey
24-Feb
Emily Kloppenburg
4-Feb
Connie Jackson
14-Feb
Tiffany Suppatkul
24-Feb
Elaine Monrad
5-Feb
Margo Watson
14-Feb
Helene Roeger
24-Feb
Craig Sutter
6-Feb
Joanna Rosendale
15-Feb
Jeffrey Parliament
24-Feb
Al Holzman
6-Feb
Katie Rizzo
15-Feb
Randy Grobe
24-Feb
Joan Ebner
6-Feb
Larry Bossert
16-Feb
Michael Hamric,Jr.
24-Feb
Michael Velotas
6-Feb
Peggy Brase
16-Feb
Gayle Lyons
24-Feb
David Lehmann
6-Feb
Elizabeth Orosco
16-Feb
Joy Coote
25-Feb
Chris Jyrkama
6-Feb
Shelby Wolter
17-Feb
Christopher Monrad
25-Feb
Thomas Suppatkul
6-Feb
Vanessa Rosendale
17-Feb
Carter Monrad
25-Feb
Kristine Mc Neill
7-Feb
Carly Rosendale
18-Feb
Jan Rodriguez
25-Feb
Linda D.Thomas
7-Feb
Debbie Engel
18-Feb
Allison Foerschner
25-Feb
Michael Patton
7-Feb
Tammy Lehmann
18-Feb
Molly Rall
25-Feb
Suzanne Nott
7-Feb
Richard Pravata
18-Feb
Fay Cade
25-Feb
Lauren Raschke
7-Feb
Christopher Chaponis
18-Feb
Ronald Reder
25-Feb
Megan Raschke
7-Feb
Renee Wilson
18-Feb
Brian Erickson
26-Feb
Alice Guckenberg
8-Feb
Brett Kulhanek
18-Feb
Russell Petrucciani
26-Feb
Allyson Schroeder
8-Feb
Steven Schatz
19-Feb
Mary Jo Hjerpe
26-Feb
Bill Cominsky
8-Feb
Robert Foerschner
19-Feb
Karen Wood
26-Feb
Roxanne Sisman
8-Feb
Karina Benesh
19-Feb
Alicia Baker
26-Feb
Sheri Erickson
9-Feb
Erin Beecher
19-Feb
Doug Wittenberg
27-Feb
Rojean Heimstreet
9-Feb
Sophia LeMay
19-Feb
Edward Griffith
28-Feb
Wade Langner
9-Feb
Brian Agard
20-Feb
Roger Armfield
28-Feb
*This list is compiled from church records.
If your name is missing or the information listed above is incorrect, please notify the church office.

Saturday
5:30 PM
Informal Worship
with Communion
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Sunday
8:15 AM & 11 AM
Traditional Worship
with Communion on 1st, 3rd and
5th Sunday of each month
9:30 AM
Contemporary Worship
with Communion
9:30 AM
Education Hour
Classes for all ages
(August - May)
9 - 11 AM
Fellowship Breakfast
Community Life Center
Connection is a monthly publication of Kinsmen Lutheran Church.
Deadline for submitting news is the 20th day of each month or the previous church business day if the deadline falls on the
weekend or on a church holiday. Articles are preferred electronically, but may be faxed or hand-delivered to a staff member.
Kinsmen Staff
Reach a Staff Member directly
by dialing 281-444-3127,
plus their extension
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9 AM - 5 PM
CONTACT INFORMATION
281-444-3126 Phone
281-444-1733 FAX
kinsmen@kinsmenlutheran.org
Rev. Jeffery Alvestad, Senior Pastor
jalvestad@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 18
Rev. Mark England, Youth and Family Ministry
mengland@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 24
Arthur Murphy, Intern Pastor
amurphy@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 12
Bruce Elijah, Associate in Ministry
bruceelijah@mac.com — Ext. 25
Lynnae Schatz, Director of Congregational Life
lschatz@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 43
Julie Hughes, Office Manager
jhughes@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 10
Sara Witte, Director of Children’s Ministry and Outreach
switte@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 17
Robyn Johnson, Media and Communications Coordinator
rjohnson@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 21
Irene Baasen, Accounting and Financial Reports
ibaasen@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 14
Jane Jacobi, Payroll Clerk
jjacobi@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 15
Linda Thomas, Principal Organist
lindacthomas99@hotmail.com
Elizabeth Marks, Traditional Worship Coordinator
emarks.klc@gmail.com — Ext. 22
Kristen Schulze, Contemporary Worship Co-coordinator
kristen.schulze@cfisd.net
Timothy Browning, Contemporary Worship Co-coordinator
chosentenor@gmail.com
Stevie Berryman, Director of Adult Handbells
sberryman@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 21
J.D. McCollom, Media Team Coordinator
jd.mccollum@itfidelity.com
Julie Pate, Media Team Assistant
jpate@kinsmenlutheran.org
Gundi Talbert, Director, Kinsmen Children’s Academy
gtalbert@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 36
Lisa Yeager, Assistant Director, Kinsmen Children’s Academy
lyeager@kinsmenlutheran.org — Ext. 23
Ruben Cervantes, Custodian