Collin Creek Community Church

Time to catch up with New Berlin

I’m back at the New Berlin News desk! I took a two week break so that I could attend the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Triennial Convention/Gathering in Spokane, Washington.

Approximately 2000 women from across the United States were in attendance.  I hadn’t flown anywhere in about 25 years, so it was an exciting trip from the moment I left on July 11 until I returned on July 17th. 

A quilting workday will take place on Sunday, July 31 at Christ Lutheran Church of Elm Creek. Bring a sack lunch and stay after the 10:30 a.m. worship service or come back for quilting about 12:30 p.m. There are various activities that anyone can help with – no particular sewing skills are required.

On August 14, the Outreach Committee at Christ Lutheran will hold a birthday party for all church members who are 80 years old or more. There will be a potluck lunch after the 10:30 a.m. worship service, and birthday cake will be served.  There will also be special music by the Chick-Letts.

The New Berlin Lions Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 4 at Brietzke Station beginning at 7 p.m. The executive board will meet at 7 p.m. and the general membership will meet at 7:30 p.m. All Lions Club members are encouraged to attend.  For more information about the Lions Clubs, or to inquire about membership, contact Walter Weidner, membership chair.

Congratulations to Jarret and Heather Brandt on the birth of their son, Jarret Dean Brandt, Jr., born on July 18. Grandparents are Russell and Debbie Haecker and great-grandparents are Marvin and Emily Haecker.

As I was out and about on Saturday, I ran into an old friend from New Berlin, Tony Duron. Tony and his wife, Joan were long-time residents of the New Berlin community.  Joan was called home on July 16 at the age of 94 years. She is survived by her husband Tony, five nephews and nieces and her brother-in-law, John Hasko of California.  

Our family was excited to have my niece and her boyfriend and my nephew visiting for the past week. Nicole Kotara and Kevin Diede were visiting from Oakland, Calif. and Derek Kotara was here from El Paso.  

Our family enjoyed supper together at La Margarita in downtown San Antonio on July 21 to celebrate Nicole’s birthday.

 ays in Rockport with the Kotara family and after they returned on Sunday, we enjoyed a freezer of Big Red ice cream under the oak tree in the front yard at home.

day 85 « theextensioncord.com

Today we had to say “until next time” to a wonderful team from Collin Creek Community Church.  Words cannot express our joy at getting to know this group of individuals – they are each super-talented, super-funny, super-likable, and great team-players with a strong sense of community and encouragement.  For the better part of a year and a half I preached almost every Sunday on Acts 8 and likened our family to Philip – called from one location to another and called from the revival of one people, to “kolloa” (stick like glue/share life with) with one person who desired to understand more about God.  I think our whole family is learning that perhaps we’re less like Philip and more like the African in that story.  This team shared their life with us and it was each of them that taught us something more about God.  We are blessed that they came and walked beside us for this week.  Its not easy being first-term missionaries – there are many days that are tough – but without even knowing it, this team carried our burdens, they made us laugh, they thought they were here to play a concert for large groups – and they did do this for sure – but they actually led a young family of 3 before the throne room of God in worship in their own heart language, they thought we were just using our vehicle and being their drivers in Kruger but in reality they helped our family have lasting memories of the wondrous Creator and His creation, we thought we were hear to walk beside others and teach them, but we’re learning that God is using others to walk beside us and teach us more about Himself and His amazing church.  We are blessed by Collin Creek – we don’t know all those that go to this amazing church but we are so grateful that you shared 8 amazing people with us for the past week!  May God continue to show up in your midst and may He continue to work in and through the lives of those that call Collin Creek home – may you as a community of Christ be a difference-maker in the Metroplex (I think that’s what the team called it).  Oh, and one more thing, as a Cavs fan – thanks Dallas for winning!!  So speaking of next time – what do you think about doing a music camp (bringing in pastors/worship leaders/etc and even others with a passion for music who could play the instruments along with you and you can teach basic things to over a 2-3 day period), worship seminar, and song-writing seminar that caps off with a big open-air concert with a speaker presenting the Gospel message?!?

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