RUTHFREDHERALD
June 2017
Volume 27, No. 6
At the time of this writing, the 2017 Confirmation Public Exam stands complete. Our confirmands once again
impressed by recalling from memory verses of Scripture, portions of Luther’s Small Catechism, and answers to other
questions about the faith. A simultaneously terrifying, yet edifying time was had by all.
For Martin Luther during the years of the Reformation, chief among the callings to Christians was to be diligent in the
continuing instruction of children. It was for this reason that in January of 1529, Luther began to publish what we now
call his Small Catechism. Today, it seems, we have come to see this catechism as something that is used by the Church to
educate our children. Luther, however, didn’t see things this way. That’s why when he began to publish what became
his Small Catechism, he did so page-by-page as a newspaper style printout that in some ways would compare to a poster
on a church bulletin board. At the top of each page was the title, “How the head of the household is to present the Ten
Commandments (or Creed, etc.) to the members of the household” (emphasis mine). In the eyes of Luther, it was the
parents, not the local congregation, that was called to be the primary educator of children in the things of the faith.
This was not a minor thing in Luther’s eyes. In his book Martin Luther’s Catechisms, Timothy J. Wengert says of Luther,
“Each time Luther discussed the fourth commandment at length… he insisted on recounting parental… responsibilities,
emphasizing in particular their duty and call to educate their children.” He goes on to quote Luther himself who said,
“Every father of a family is a bishop in his house and the wife a bishopess. Therefore remember that you in your homes
are to help us carry on the ministry as we do in the church… which is to preach the gospel to the children,” a calling
which history tells us Martin & Katie Luther themselves took quite seriously.
Unfortunately, this is a sentiment of which many in our culture have lost sight. We love the idea of mandatory
education, but Christian education is another story. For Luther there was no distinction; to educate was to do so in
Christ. He called the failure to educate children in the faith no less than the foremost of Satan’s tricks to “delude and
deceive the common people.” Instead of providing Christian education for children, Luther said the people of his day
focused on “how to make a living and get rich.” It seems that culture has not changed much in the last 500 years.
What does this mean for the Church today in 2017? As Father’s Day approaches, it reminds me that oversight of and
interest in my children’s spiritual welfare is chief among my God-given responsibilities as a parent. This stands true for
all Christian parents. We cannot forget this aspect of our children’s development. We are called to model for our
children a life that prioritizes Christ over and above that which secular culture would deem to be the most important,
be it sports, school, or entertainment.
For my vocation as pastor, it reminds me that the family is the primary avenue through which the gospel is passed
from generation to generation. As a congregation, then, it follows that we cannot neglect ministry to parents with
children in the home. While this type of ministry is challenging due to busy schedules and changing culture, it is a
crucial group to reach if our mission is to pass down the gospel of Christ to future generations.
These callings face their challenges in today’s world, yet we’re not left to fend for ourselves. Christians have a heavenly
Father who has shown us sacrificial love and diligence in caring for us his children. We have a message of salvation and
the forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of Christ that is unmatched by any other message the world has to offer,
and we have the Holy Spirit living in us, equipping us for the task. By His grace, may we be faithful in this task.
Pastor Osier
ruthfredherald
Ruthfred Lutheran Church
3401 South Park Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102
www.Ruthfred.org
Pastor Steven P. Carlson
Pastor Adam G. Osier
Parish Assistant Sylvia Armen
Office Manager Paula Mikulan
Youth Director Brandon Fouks
Council President Mark Riley
In This Issue
3
Song of the Month
“Abide With Me”
4-5
Acts and Obituaries
April 17 – May 14, 2017
6-7
Member Submissions
Herald Staff
Editor Steven Rothermel
Staff Writer Tom Glasser
Proofreading Ruth and Alan Hinkelman
Mailing Labels Lauren Daugherty
Printing Paula Mikulan
Assembly Leader Joyce Bock
Email Jeanine Szalinski
May Issue
Assembly and Mailing Volunteers
Judy Bender
Joyce Bock
Don McDowell
Pat Moore
Bernard Paterra
Janet Paterra
Joanne Salvetti
Barb Thomas
The next Herald publication date is Wednesday,
June 21. The submission deadline for articles is
Sunday, June 11. Electronic submissions should
be sent to [email protected]. Articles and
information may also be placed in the Herald
mail slot in the Conference Room, or left in the
Church Office.
If you would like to be added to the Herald
email list, or if you have a change in address,
please send a message with your updated
information to [email protected].
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Song of the Month:
By Tom Glasser
Abide With Me
Lyrics: Henry Francis Lyte
Music: William Henry Monk
My wife Peggy suggested this hymn for this month’s article. She didn’t have to twist my arm too much because it has
always been one of my favorites also. It stands in stark contrast to last month’s hymn, “Immortal, Invisible, God Only
Wise.” That hymn gave a nod to our mortality and brief existence on this earth while emphasizing the transcendent
glory and power of God. “Abide With Me” gives a nod to God’s transcendence but emphasizes our plea for God to be
an immanent source of comfort and support in our hour of need. Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide.
Some of you reading this article are probably suffering through a personal “eventide” right now. Some can look back
on eventides in your past. Some of us may just be praying that God will sustain us when our hour of trial does come.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
In 1818, at the relatively young age of 25, Henry Francis Lyte was deeply affected by the “eventide” of a close friend
and fellow clergyman who became ill and died. He wrote of him: “He died happy under the belief that though he had
deeply erred, there was One whose death and sufferings would atone for his delinquencies, and be accepted for all that
he had incurred.” And concerning himself he said: “I was greatly affected by the whole matter, and brought to look at
life and its issue with a different eye than before; and I began to study my Bible, and preach in another manner than I
had previously done.” (Hymnary.org) This life-changing event is almost certainly reflected in his later poem “Abide
With Me.”
Fast forward to 1861. William Henry Monk had become an accomplished organist, choirmaster, and composer
throughout London. As such he was appointed as musical editor for the Hymns Ancient and Modern hymnal project.
While attending a committee meeting for this he became aware that there was no musical setting for “Abide With Me”
(although Lyte had apparently written one). Monk’s widow later recalled that “hand in hand we were silently watching
the glory of the setting sun (our daily habit) until the golden hue had faded… then he took paper and penciled the tune
which has gone all over the world.” (Rupert Christiansen)
Now jump ahead again to 1915. World War I is raging throughout Europe. “Abide With Me” is widely popular among
the troops in the trenches. Edith Cavell is a British nurse who bravely works to save soldiers in Brussels. She ends up
being arrested by the Germans for helping 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium, and is
sentenced to be executed by firing squad. On the evening before her death, she also uses the hymn to pour out her soul
to God.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
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Official Acts
April 17 – May 14, 2017
Baptisms:
*Carson Maverick Crowley – May 14, 2017
Funerals:
*Clyde E. Lundgren – May 5, 2017
Janet J. Brisky – May 12, 2017
Weddings:
*Katherine Jane Szalinski and Geoffrey Allen Fournier – May 5, 2017
(*indicates member)
Obituaries
Ellen Taylor: May 26, 1918 - March 10, 2017
Ellen Taylor and her family were longtime members of Ruthfred. They moved to Bethel Park in 1950
to a home on Patterson Road, just a short few blocks from our church and quickly became faithful
members of the congregation.
Ellen was born and raised in Wilmington, DE and was married to William Newlove at the time of
WWII. Her husband Bill was a soldier serving our country during the invasion of Italy where he was
killed in battle. Bill’s Staff Sergeant, one Robert Taylor, had the responsibility of informing Ellen of
her husband’s death. Following that original notification, Ellen and Bob began corresponding and the
Lord used those letters to bring them together after the end of the war. Ellen and Bob Taylor were
married in September, 1945.
While Ellen’s first husband was off fighting the war, Ellen worked for a defense company, inspecting parts used in the production
of military airplanes. She also helped in the war effort by selling the most War Bonds which resulted in her being honored to
christen a U. S. Navy Medium Landing Craft vessel, LSM 422, built by the Dravo Corporation in Wilmington.
Ellen’s love of our Lord Jesus led her to a very active life at Ruthfred. She served in the kitchen for Men’s Brotherhood dinners and
funeral luncheons, assisted in Vacation Bible School, was active in her Circle, and along with her husband Bob, served as Luther
League sponsors during their son Richard’s high school years. Ellen’s faithfulness and love for the Lord helped instill a similar love
in her son Richard. Richard went on to college and seminary and became a Lutheran pastor, graduating from the Lutheran
Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN. Ellen also worked as a salesperson for Jenny Lee Bakery in South Hills Village Mall for
many years.
After her husband Bob died in 1992, she maintained her home on Patterson Road until 2000 when her son, Pastor Richard Taylor
convinced her to move to Iowa and join him and his wife Annette and Annette’s mother, former Ruthfred member Orla Downey,
in their home. Ellen loved keeping touch with her Ruthfred heritage through her receiving each issue of the Herald which she then
shared with the rest of the Taylor family.
In addition to her son and daughter-in-law, Ellen is also survived by two grandsons and eight great-grandchildren, all Iowa
residents. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, March 15th at Holmes Lutheran Church in Holmes, IA followed by a second
service on Friday, March 17th at the Warchol Funeral Home in Bridgeville, PA. Interment was at the Melrose Cemetery in
Bridgeville.
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Member Profile: Clyde Lundgren
By Mettelise Ziegler
(Editor’s Note: Longtime Ruthfred member Clyde Lundgren passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2017. This Member Profile
originally appeared in the October 23, 2013 Issue of the Herald.)
Clyde Lundgren has led an interesting and full eighty years, which he celebrated this past June surrounded
by family. From his childhood as the son of a Lutheran pastor, to a professional career which took him all
over the world, he has not ceased to be at home with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Clyde’s childhood family included several siblings and two hard-working parents. His father served the
Augustana Synod which sponsored Swedish congregations across the country. He fondly remembers
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Pennsylvania to name a few. Pittsburghers might be surprised to
learn there were Swedes in McKeesport at one time, while Clyde went to high school.
After serving in the army and attending Augustana College in Illinois, Clyde worked for U.S. Steel Corporation in Gary, IN.
He met his wife, Bonnie, an airline stewardess, at a St. Patrick’s Day party in 1964 and told her one week later that he would
marry her. His reason for such a quick decision? She was also a Lutheran! (Well, to be fair, Clyde really believed Bonnie was
the right girl for him). A week after that, Clyde proposed marriage and Bonnie accepted! They were married after just five
months.
Clyde and Bonnie were born to explore. They lived in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil for many years. Church was always a
priority for them but it was not always possible to worship at a Lutheran church. In one Brazilian city, they sang in the choir
of an Anglican church. In another, they opened their home to other Protestants. With permission to meet at a local church,
they developed their own grass-roots congregation and donated their offerings in return.
What brought Clyde and Bonnie to Ruthfred? Having moved to Bethel Park after living stateside in places like Charleston,
WV, they visited a number of Lutheran churches. They had four children to consider: Kurt, Clyde, Britt, and Kristin. The
couple was drawn by the quality of Biblical teaching. When they heard Pastor Dennis singing “On Eagle’s Wings” with his
clear, strong voice, “they were hooked,” Clyde says.
After retiring from U.S. Steel, Clyde worked for Ruthfred as the Financial Manager for nine years. He has faced some health
problems, but they have never worried him. The reason? Eighty years of learning to trust in the faithfulness of the Lord.
People retire from occupations, but they do not retire from serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the witness of people
like his parents during his formative years and encounters all over the world with Christians of different cultures, Clyde has
learned the secret to contentment. Sure, he loves his wife Bonnie and his family. Of course, he is thankful for his professional
career. Clyde’s contentment, though, comes from faith. He trusts. He prays… a lot. He says he does not know what he would
do without the knowledge that Jesus Christ paid his sin debt in full and that he can look forward to eternal life. Clyde’s
favorite hymn, an old Swedish melody titled Children of the Heavenly Father, says it well.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them his grace he showeth,
And their sorrows all he knoweth.
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The Congregation is Invited to a Graduation Open House
for Ben Carlson
At the Carlson’s House
Date: Saturday, June 3
Time: 1-5 PM
Place: 1792 Sillview Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
Please RSVP by May 28th
(412) 737-2779
[email protected]
Seeing and Believing
John 20: 24-29
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other
disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the
print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not
believe.”
24
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being
shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here,
and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but
believing.”
26
And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not
seen and yet have believed.”
28
29
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Member Submissions
Journey Through the Word
Morning Journey Through the Word will have a Summer Session beginning on June 7th through July 26 from 10 to
11:15 AM. The topic is “The Truth Project: Teaching Relative to Our Culture Today.” The series is a DVD collection
from Focus on the Family. There are no books to buy or homework to do. Everyone is welcome!
Master Calendar
I've heard much talk about Ruthfred needing a master calendar that everyone can access and add events to or reserve a
particular room at a particular time. Many people feel that it would be awesome to have a calendar that anyone can
access and that would show what, where, and when things are happening in the Church. Hopefully, this will be a reality
ONLINE when our website is updated and improved! But for now, you will find a master calendar… a simple, large desk
top calendar, in the conference room. It has been placed there so that we as a congregation can not only reserve the
spot that we want when we need it, but also share what is going on in the church! For instance, when I see that the
Praise and Worship group is practicing in the Adult Sunday School room on Tuesday evening, I won't schedule the
Sunday School teachers' meeting in the Adult Sunday School classroom; we will instead meet in the fireside
lounge. I'm hopeful that this will be a start to not only preventing conflict in areas that are being used for the church,
but also a way for everyone to see all of the happenings at Ruthfred. Paula will be able to quickly glance at the calendar
and even add things to the printed monthly calendar that she may not have known about. Let's see how it works! It
may just be more of a nuisance, but it may really help us as a congregation.
His hopeful servant, Cheri Underwood
Christmas Pageant News
We know that it sounds silly talking about the Children's Christmas Pageant when we are just past the throws of Easter
season, but we wanted to get the word out ASAP. As God leads us all in different seasons through our lives, we grow
and change. God provided Heather and I with a wonderful 6 years of working with the children of Ruthfred to show
glory and praise at the birth of our Savior through their rambunctious and sometimes quite crazy musical
extravaganzas! It has been a blessing beyond compare to work in this capacity with the children! Every year we think,
will this really happen? And every year it is an excitement beyond our prayers to see the kids shine and show their
family, friends, and church how much they love their Lord through song, drama, and even some dancing around! But,
as our 6th year is approaching, we have decided to "pass the torch" so to speak. Our own children will no longer be
very involved after this year as they move on to other activities at Ruthfred such as Confirmation studies and youth
group activities. We would love to pass on this exciting outreach to a few who are interested in showing the children of
Ruthfred and their friends that worshiping the Lord and passing on the good news of His birth can be so much
fun! Please pray for us as we complete this season of your lives and please pray for those who would be happy and
fulfilled by serving their Church in this way!
Blessing for a glorious spring, Cheri Underwood
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