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Friday, March 31, 2023

Scripture Doodles - March 2023

 

Scripture Doodles- March 2023
Devotional take-aways for time
 in the Word.
I am preparing for a return trip to Greece to
help lead a Footsteps of Paul tour.
I came across this book- 
From Where I Stand- 30 Days in the Life of Paul.
The format is Devotional Thought, 
 Scripture Reading, 
Application and a Processing Question.

Four colored pencils,

a fine-point Sharpie,

a simple phrase.

becomes the story of my

 devotions for this month.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Worship into the Week- Life in the Spirit




 Worship into the Week- Life in the Spirit
Romans 8:1-11
In sending the Son, God defeated sin and freed
humanity to live freely "according to the Spirit."
This allows us to move with the movement
 and listens for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus died this was the fulfillment of the law.
Our life work is to walk not in the flesh 
but according to the Spirit.
When we say "walk" it means
 living life to bring God glory.
Every decision we make either takes us closer
 to the cross or takes us a step away.
The Spirit dwells in each baptized person.
That gives us "life in the spirit."

Supplies:
Visual Faith Printable
Worship into the Week
Magazine Cutouts
Distress ink
Prismacolor pencils
 






Monday, March 27, 2023

Footsteps of St. Paul- Delphi

 

The Treasury at Delphi
was constructed by the 
Athenians to house dedications and votive offerings
 made by their city and citizens at the sanctuary
of Apollo. The entire treasury including 
its sculptural decoration
 is built of Parian marble.  
Opinions defer on construction dates from  
510 to 480 BCE.
One site declares it was built with the spoils 
from the Battle of Marathon fought in 490 BCE
 against the Persians.

The legendary name is Python, 
and it was an ancient sacred precinct
 and the seat of Pythia. 
This was the major oracle who was consulted about 
major decisions in the classical Greek world.

The ancient Greeks considered the 
center of the world to be in Delphi.
This was because of the stone monument
 known as the omphalos- navel, 
which is shown above.
The original stone is held in the museum of Delphi,
here on the site is a simplified copy.
The site is now an extensive archeological site since 1938
 as part of the Parnassos National Park.
Temple of Apollo - Delphi
Dedicated to the god of music, harmony, 
light and healing.
The edifice with the partially restored colonnade 
dates to the 20th century BC.
There were 5 temples built throughout history.
It is a beautiful view from this site.
The Temple of Apollo was built on an intersecting fault line.
The Pythia would sit on the "navel seat" 
that emitted a mixture of hallucinogenic gases. 
It was probably a mixture of ethane, methane and ethylene
 which was one of the world's first anesthetics.
The famous oracle, the Pythia, 
known as the Oracle of Delphi operated
 inside the temple.
This location was chosen due to the sacred chasm
 beneath the site editing vapors,
 which were inhaled by the Pythia.
This influential voice belonged to a woman 
and no important leader would make a 
major decision without consulting this voice. 
Getting to Delphi was a complicated journey 
and thousands of visitors sought guidance 
from this holy woman and this made the 
town of Delphi rich.
Everyone knew about Delphi. 
 As Saint Paul traveled throughout Greece,
 it would have been a part of the culture 
that he was "up against". He told the people 
about the real power of the voice of the world- Jesus.
He ran into this in Phillipi with the girl 
with the spirit of divination- the fortune-telling girl.
and the challenges of reversing the premise of 
who holds the future of the world.


Friday, March 24, 2023

Worship into the Week- Children of Light

 

Worship into the Week-
Ephesians 5:8-14
Walk in Loveing 

The community of Christ's followers are called 
to live differently than the culture that surrounds them. 
They are to be the example of ethical behavior 
and to shine God's love in Jesus 
to a fallen and straying world.
There is a world's difference between light and darkness
 and wisdom and poor choices. 
We tend to move through life with some kind of plan, 
set goals and strive to meet them. 
Yet, somehow we don't think about it or set goals for our ethical behavior. We can drift along and be swept up by the acceptable behavior of the culture that surrounds us.
It may be so pervasive we do not even see how corrosive
 the lifestyle really is on a day to day basis.
Followers of Christ have some universal boundaries
 of right and wrong.
God's Word shines bright to light the way,
 so we don't  become conformed to this world

Wake up!
Don't fall asleep 
and find that the world has caused you
 to be dead in your faith.
v.15 "Look carefully then how your walk,
 not as unwise but wise."
Think we have our marching orders.

Supplies:
Visual Church Year Printable
Worship into the Week Printable
Washi tape
Prismacolor Pencils
Magazine cutouts
Distress ink



Sunday, March 19, 2023

A Tribute to Deanna Hinz

 

Deanna Grace (Schaper) Hinz

February 19, 1937 ~ March 1, 2023 (age 86)

Deanna Hinz, 86, of Fredericksburg, entered her Heavenly life on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. She was at home with family when she suddenly and peacefully passed, meeting her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face.


Born on February 19, 1937, in Mason City, IA, to Gordon August Schaper and Evelyn Trayer Schaper, Deanna was the older sister of three Schaper brothers, Gary, Ronald, and Donald, who all adored her. She was nurtured in her strong and enduring Christian faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. It was also there that she met and fell in love with her future husband, Richard, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage.

Deanna graduated from the Iowa School of Nursing in Des Moines, IA, in 1958. After wedding Richard later that summer, they moved to St. Louis for his final year at Concordia Seminary, then to Heidelberg, Germany for another year of study at Karl Ruprecht Universitat. As the wife of a Lutheran pastor, Deanna served the Lord with Richard where the church’s Divine Calls took them, first to Seaford, DE, next to Towson, MD, and then to Rockville, MD. In these places, Deanna worked in various nursing positions at hospitals, most recently as an EKG nurse for a cardiologist in suburban Washington, D.C.

Upon their move to Northern Virginia in 1980, Deanna used the opportunity to create a new career out of her passion for interior decorating and started her own business called “Classic Impressions.” As a decorator, she worked alongside many people in making their homes warm and beautiful, specialized in staging for real estate sales, and served God in helping her longtime home church, Prince of Peace Lutheran in Springfield, VA, become a brighter and more welcoming space.

In 1997, Deanna and Richard moved to Fredericksburg, VA in preparation for their retirement years, finding a beloved place along Potomac Creek. Deanna continued to do some decorating and gradually turned more of her focus on caring for Richard, who had Parkinson’s disease. Eventually, caring for Richard became her full-time dedication, which she performed faithfully until he passed in 2018.

God’s gain is our loss. Deanna leaves behind her sons, Paul (Sally) of Saginaw, MI, John (Amy) of Fredericksburg, VA, Timothy (Leanne West) of Williamsburg, VA, and Stephen (Elizabeth) of Lexington, KY; grandchildren Christopher Hinz (Erica), Seth Hinz (Rachel), Peter Hinz, James Hinz (fiancĂ©e Erin Hudgins), Rachel Cook (Kevin), Dusty Hinz, John Hinz, Jr., Sonya Hinz, Carolyn Hinz, Emily Hinz (fiancĂ© Sam Allegro), Alissa Guadamuz (Madison), Randi Berg, Evelyn Hinz, William Hinz, and Andrew Hinz; great-grandchildren Christianna Hinz, Judah Hinz, Samson Hinz, Evangeline Hinz, and Michael Cook; brothers Gary Schaper (Shirley), Ronald Schaper (Jane), and Donald Schaper (Carla); daughter-in-law Janine Hinz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family  received friends from on Friday, March 17, 2023 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A service “Celebrating Life Now and Forever in Christ” was held  on Saturday, March 18 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. David Miner presiding. A reception followed. A private family interment took place earlier the same morning at Oak Hill Cemetery.




































Rev. Dr. John R. Denninger 
presided over the Committal service.





 











 


Deanna's statement of Faith- Circa 1957, written at the encouragement of Richard, 

she kept it tucked into her pocket-sized Bible for the rest of her earthly life. 

"Knowing I am certain of eternal life has made my life so much easier to live. Eery day when you ask Jesus Christ to guide and protect you through all your daily tasks, you are depending on Him and only Him for guidance. This will not take away all trials and troubles, but when they come, you are equipped to handle them. Every day our faith is tried in some fashion or other, but knowing you can always trust in Jesus for he gives us assurance to carry on. When I think the whole world is down on me, I bounce back, knowing I have Him to reassure me.




Rev. Dr. John R. Denninger presided 
over the graveside committal.


A Time of Eulogy

Dear Hinz family and friends, thank you for the opportunity and honor to speak here today. It is a blessing too join in this celebration of Deanna-daughter of the King.

As the word went out about Deanna’s death, I received a number of replies and stories. Two words that kept bounding to the top of the email pile were gracious and lady. Everyone said she was such a “gracious lady.”

Lady:  courteous, kind, pleasant, refined, and stylish


Gracious: a welcoming host, characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, expansive living, graceful and Grace-filled.


None of that is too surprising when we remember her middle name is Grace.  Deanna Grace. From the naming day of her baptism, to a full-life with 3 brothers and 4 sons, she has used that well of grace in all of her relationships. For me-as a mom of 3 daughters, it was hard for me to imagine life with that many guys. Only now, with 10 grandchildren and 8 of them boys does that begin to shed light on how life was arranged for her. She became a home decorator to deal with the marks and wear and tear of “life with boys." But, even that she did with her trademark Classic sense of style. She certainly left an impression with the hundreds of families who fondly recall her help to choose drapes, a sofa, paint colors and flooring. She has marked the halls of my church home at Prince of Peace in Springfield, Virginia with her sense of style. I am reminded of her touch each time I see a print of “3 girls” on our guest room wall. Deanna was a gracious gift to us all- she was generous with her time, energy and laughter.


I heard about Deanna when we were in the chaos of a move from Nebraska to Virginia in 1988. In the rural hinter land they spoke of an East Coast District President’s wife “who led Bible Studies” and encouraged women to serve in capacities that matched their gifts. I was intrigued with this rebel. I remember meeting Deanna as a young pastor’s wife. I was marked by her compassion to me- a frazzled mom with three young girls- just trying to find my way. In the passing of time, I watched how she served and led in her quiet, gentle way. But, her quick wit and no nonsense laugh drew me to her as she dealt with ministry challenges, care-giving and the curves that life threw at her. I saw a determined focus in unswerving dedication with Rich, her dear mate, that I still hold as the standard. The love for her family has shaped my own priorities. I witnessed her encouragement to women- pastor’s wives, ministry wives, and lay women to explore everything in leading and serving on “this side of the fence” on “this side of heaven” that they may be used in God’s great Kingdom- for His Glory.


Her notes and words of encouragement to me personally have shaped how I want to touch the lives of others. When it was time for me to lead as the wife of the Southeastern District President, I remembered her inclusivity for others, her eye for details, and the importance of a beautiful, inviting welcome.  Deanna helped me have a heart of prayer for His people, because the burdens are many and heavy. In days to come there will be stories shared of ornery doings at church retreats, a women’s ministry trip to Ireland, lobster races in the kitchen, and plain old family dinners around the round table.


But, at this time of celebration, the distilled faith legacy that she shared was- Deanna loved Jesus. When her “reservation” got moved up, she was waiting to meet her Jesus. And in true, classic Deanna style, she did even that with grace.


This week paging through my Bible, I came across one of the prayer cards sent to Deanna and Rich. It is dated Oct. 2, 2012 with these words shared as a prayer from Eph. 3:20. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work in us.” That continues now to be my prayer over the entire Hinz family. Even in this, these challenging days of sadness, His abundant power works in each and every one of you. More that you can ask or think. Be blessed in that grace.


Constance Denninger- 3-18-23




 


 


 



 

   


 




Lady:  courteous, kind, pleasant, refined, and stylish


Gracious: a welcoming host, characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, expansive living, graceful and Grace-filled.


None of that is too surprising when we remember her middle name is Grace.  Deanna Grace. From the naming day of her baptism, to a full-life with 3 brothers and 4 sons, she has used that well of grace in all of her relationships. For me-as a mom of 3 daughters, it was hard for me to imagine life with that many guys. Only now, with 10 grandchildren and 8 of them boys does that begin to shed light on how life was arranged for her. She became a home decorator to deal with the marks and wear and tear of “life with boys." But, even that she did with her trademark Classic sense of style. She certainly left an impression with the hundreds of families who fondly recall her help to choose drapes, a sofa, paint colors and flooring. She has marked the halls of my church home at Prince of Peace in Springfield, Virginia with her sense of style. I am reminded of her touch each time I see a print of “3 girls” on our guest room wall. Deanna was a gracious gift to us all- she was generous with her time, energy and laughter.


I heard about Deanna when we were in the chaos of a move from Nebraska to Virginia in 1988. In the rural hinter land they spoke of an East Coast District President’s wife “who led Bible Studies” and encouraged women to serve in capacities that matched their gifts. I was intrigued with this rebel. I remember meeting Deanna as a young pastor’s wife. I was marked by her compassion to me- a frazzled mom with three young girls- just trying to find my way. In the passing of time, I watched how she served and led in her quiet, gentle way. But, her quick wit and no nonsense laugh drew me to her as she dealt with ministry challenges, care-giving and the curves that life threw at her. I saw a determined focus in unswerving dedication with Rich, her dear mate, that I still hold as the standard. The love for her family has shaped my own priorities. I witnessed her encouragement to women- pastor’s wives, ministry wives, and lay women to explore everything in leading and serving on “this side of the fence” on “this side of heaven” that they may be used in God’s great Kingdom- for His Glory.


Her notes and words of encouragement to me personally have shaped how I want to touch the lives of others. When it was time for me to lead as the wife of the Southeastern District President, I remembered her inclusivity for others, her eye for details, and the importance of a beautiful, inviting welcome.  Deanna helped me have a heart of prayer for His people, because the burdens are many and heavy. In days to come there will be stories shared of ornery doings at church retreats, a women’s ministry trip to Ireland, lobster races in the kitchen, and plain old family dinners around the round table.


But, at this time of celebration, the distilled faith legacy that she shared was- Deanna loved Jesus. When her “reservation” got moved up, she was waiting to meet her Jesus. And in true, classic Deanna style, she did even that with grace.


This week paging through my Bible, I came across one of the prayer cards sent to Deanna and Rich. It is dated Oct. 2, 2012 with these words shared as a prayer from Eph. 3:20. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work in us.” That continues now to be my prayer over the entire Hinz family. Even in this, these challenging days of sadness, His abundant power works in each and every one of you. More that you can ask or think. Be blessed in that grace.


Constance Denninger- 3-18-23







Saturday, March 18, 2023

Worship into the Week- Reasons to Rejoice

 

Worship into the Week-

Romans 5:1-8

Peace with God Through Faith

In this section of Scripture we have Paul explaining

 the benefits of his Gospel message. 

It is especially for those who are justified by faith

 and stand in a new relationship to God.

We have peace with God and we boast in our hope

are the center and substance of these passages.

The amazing claim that Paul gives

 is that there is only one password  

for us to remember- Jesus Christ.

No matter what we do in striving to reach God,

the story is that God is trying to reach us.

That is wrapped in full blown, unimaginable grace.

It is not that we use Jesus to attain God's mercy.

God had a master plan to send Jesus

 to enact this merciful plan. 

We have so many reasons to rejoice, 

for God has poured out His love

 into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-march-2023

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-march-2023

Colored pencils

Washi tape

Hymnal circles

Scrapbook paper




Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Isaiah is Five!

                                                                                                

                                           This young man turned five!!!
                      He has some new wheels to celebrate.

He finished a new creation.                                             

A birthday starts with something 
special right in the morning.
Birthdays call for a crown and balloons.

A sign from his classroom buddies is a special treat.
Birthday cupcakes are pretty yummy!

Kindergarten here he comes!!!!
Some fun birthday treats 
and a very intent builder.


The hit- Picasso Tiles- Car extensions.
Loved by the birthday boy and all the brothers.
May you be blessed in this new birth year!!!




Monday, March 13, 2023

Praying the Psalms- Psalm 121

Last weekend I led a wonderful 
women's retreat at St. Luke's Lutheran Church
in Oviedo, Florida.

One of the prayer processes we did together was to
engage in a Lectio Divina reading of Psalm 121.
"Holy Reading", or "Slow Reading" 
is a wonderful way to deal with the challenges 
that keep us from participating
 in uplifting spiritual formation practices.
We all have problems with:
slowing down, 
saying attention,
 and dealing with distractions.
We used an abbreviated version of Lectio and read
 the Psalm outloud in 3 versions of the Bible.
We looked for words and phrases that "stood out"
 to us and underlined, circled 
or colored them in with color pencils.
We had prepped a journal page the night 
before with "wine cork" stampings
 and glued in some magazine cutouts.
  It was no longer a blank journal page.
Then we asked them to transfer a couple of their 
"main points" and then add in words or phrases
 from the selected reading.
They could pull from any or all of the readings.
They could add lines, doodles, color and 
"make it their own."
This part of Praying the Psalm then becomes a 
Visio Divina process.
 The image allows them to recall it better
 for prayer time, and they can come back
 to it again and again
 as it strengthens their prayer time.
These prayer practices were well received, 
and they jumped right into this new experience.
For me these words have nestled into my spirit-
HE WILL KEEP MY LIFE.

Supplies:
8 1/2 by 11 inch wire bound journal
wine corks
stamp pad
magazine cutouts
glue
colored pencils
Sharpie fine-point marker

 

 

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Worship into the Week- Justified

 

Worship into the Week- Justified 

Romans 4:1-8, 13-17

Abraham Justified By Faith

The promise granted to Abraham 

was not because of any of his works,

 but because "Abraham believed God."

Justified- Just as If I had not Sinned.

The Promise Realized Through Faith

 v.13 " For the promise to Abraham and his offspring

 that he would be heir of the world 

did not come through the law 

but through the righteousness of faith."

v.16 "That is why it depends on faith, 

in order that the promise may rest on grace 

and be guaranteed to all his offspring-

not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one

 who shares the faith of Abraham, who is father of us all,

as it is written, 

"I have made you the faith of many nations,"

- in the presence of the 'go in whom he believed, 

who life to the dead and calls 

into existence the things that do not exist."

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-march-2023

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-march-2023

Highlighter Sharpie

Sharpie pens

Washi Tape 

Scrapbook paper

Magazine cut-outs

Colored pencils