2018 Harvest Festival and Homecoming

Harvest Festival Food

You are Invited

The 2018 Harvest Festival and Homecoming is just around the corner.  We are working together to make sure we have another great year of worship, food, fun and fellowship.

Click this link for the main page about the 2018 Harvest Festival and Homecoming.

Sunday, October 21, at the Carmine Hall

Worship at 9:30 a.m.

The Famous Carmine Fried Chicken meal will be served 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Tickets are $10/meal and are available now at the church office during the week, and at the church before and after worship each weekend.  Call the church office – 979-278-3388 – to reserve your tickets.

The Live and Silent Auctions begin around 11:30 a.m.  Donations for the auction are invited.  Bring items to the church office.

Obituary for Carol Sommerfeld

Carol Sommerfeld photo

Carol was a longtime member of MLLC.  Carol died on May 1, 2018 after a very brief illness.  Her funeral was held at MLLC on May 5 at MLLC.  The obituary, as printed in the service bulletin that day, is available below.

Her family requested that memorial gifts be given to MLLC.  Here are ways to make to make those gifts:

Memorial Gifts to Martin Luther Lutheran Church

By mail:  P O BOX 362; Carmine, TX 78932-0362

Make note of this being a memorial for Carol Sommerfeld

By web site: go to the MLLC secure online giving site:  click this link.

When using the giving site, remember to note your gift amount in the box next to “Memorial Gifts”, and to use the memo box to the right of the amount to note “Carol Sommerfeld”

Questions for MLLC about this gift:  call the office at 979-278-3388

 

OBITUARY

Carol Ann Rosenbaum Sommerfeld was born October 28, 1954 in Brenham to parents Irvin & Virgine (Baron) Rosenbaum.  She was baptized November 28, 1954 and confirmed April 7, 1968 by Pastor Richard J. Weber, both at Zion Lutheran Church, Zionsville, near Brenham.  Her confirmation verse was Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.”  Carol and Roger Dale Sommerfeld were united in marriage on June 4, 1977 in Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville by Pastor James Witschorke.

Carol was a graduate of Burton High School.  She loved working as a hairdresser at Carol Ann’s Hair Fashions shop in Carmine along with working at Round Top Farm & Ranch.  She was a loving grandmother to her four grandchildren.

Carol loved being outdoors, watching her grandkids’ events, trips to Edna, cooking, and keeping everyone on their toes.  She and Roger were members of Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine.

Carol passed away unexpectedly in Austin on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the age of 63.

She is survived by her loving family:  husband Roger Sommerfeld; son Justin and wife Elizabeth, daughter Melissa and husband Jason Smith; grandchildren Olivia and Austin Sommerfeld, Makayla and Jake Smith; twin brothers Lary and wife Dixie Rosenbaum, Gary and wife Diana Rosenbaum; sisters-in-law Carolyn and husband Gilbert Goeke, Kathy and husband Daryl Gummelt; nieces and nephews Sean and Jill Rosenbaum, Jeffory and Rachael Goeke, Tracy and Ken Meier, Leigh Ann and Adam Seilheimer along with numerous great nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Irvin and Virgine Rosenbaum, parents-in-law Emmanuel and Mildred Sommerfeld, brother-in-law Charles Otto Sommerfeld, and niece Brittany Ridley.

Pallbearers will be Sean Rosenbaum, Jeffory Goeke, Glenn Rosenbaum, Randy Hodde, Cole Dismukes and Preston Davis.  Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren Olivia, Makayla, Austin and Jake.

 

Memorials may be directed to Martin Luther Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 362, Carmine, TX 78932 or a charity of choice.

Obituary for Gladys Koether

Gladys Koether photo

We remember Gladys Koether

Gladys was a lifelong member of MLLC, and a lifelong resident of Carmine.  Gladys died on April 18, 2018 after a long illness.  Her funeral was held at MLLC on April 21 at MLLC.  The obituary, as printed in the service bulletin that day, is available below.

Her family requested that memorial gifts be given to either MLLC or Lutherhill camp.  Here are ways to make to make those gifts:

Memorial Gifts to Martin Luther Lutheran Church

By mail:  P O BOX 362; Carmine, TX 78932-0362

Make note of this being a memorial for Gladys Koether.

By web site: go to the MLLC secure online giving site:  click this link.

When using the giving site, remember to note your gift amount in the box next to “Memorial Gifts”, and to use the memo box to the right of the amount to note “Gladys Koether”

Questions for MLLC about this gift:  call the office at 979-278-3388

 

Memorial Gifts to Lutherhill

By mail: Lutherhill Ministries

3782 Lutherhill Road

P.O. Box 99

La Grange, Texas 78945-4132

Phone: 888-266-4613              Fax: (979) 249-4032

By their secure giving web site:  click this link.

The Lutherhill giving site has a place on their online form to note memorial gifts, and to write a note to Lutherhill about the gift.  This will help them make sure the gift is noted in memory of Gladys.

 

OBITUARY

Gladys Leona Alma Koether was born October 26, 1932 in Carmine to Gustav and Leonie Weidemann Koether.  She was baptized November 19, 1933 by Pastor Henry Brunotte, and confirmed March 30, 1947 by Pastor Leo Simon at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine.  Her confirmation verse was Matthew 26:41, “Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Gladys died April 18, 2018 in Giddings at the age of 85.

A lifelong member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, she was the first woman to serve on the church council. Gladys was also a member of the Carmine Chamber of Commerce, serving as president and secretary for many years. She volunteered at Luther Hill doing landscaping and helped in restoration of the Carmine Depot. She also assisted her mother in operation of the switchboard at the telephone company.

She helped her friends and neighbors by cutting hair. She also worked at B&S Sales and Service in Carmine, and was also employed at Brenham Heating and Air Conditioning for 47 years.

Survivors include her sister, Pauline Poehls Fischer; nieces Paula Barrick, and Kalisa Pomykal and husband, Brice; great-nieces and nephews: Jon Jankowiak and wife Shauna, Bobbie Hughes, Tammi Hughes, Kody Fox and Hunter Pomykal; great-great niece and great-great nephew, Kandyce Hughes and Ryler Boyer, as well as special cousins Joe and Beverly Cucuzza.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Barry Lee Koether.

Serving as pallbearers are Hunter Pomykal, Jon Jankowiak, Bobbie Hughes, Gary Smith, Kevin Stueber, Stacy Tyner, Royce Lehrmann, and Hollis Lehrmann. Honorary pallbearers are Delbert Stiewert, Kody Fox, and Joe Cucuzza.

Memorials may be directed to Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, or to Luther Hill.

Special thanks go to Stacy Tyner and Stacia Carmean.

 

 

Remembering Melissa Wickel

Melissa Wickel

We grieve and also give thanks for the life and ministry of MLLC member Melissa Wickel.

 

Melissa Ann Wickel

November 15, 1963 – May 23, 2018

Melissa Ann Wickel, 54, of Carmine, died May 23, 2018, in Carmine.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 1st at the Martin Luther Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The memorial service will be on Saturday, June 2nd at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine, at 10am.  The Church is located at 211 Luther Ln, Carmine, TX 78932

Melissa was born November 15th 1963 to Melvin and Ora Lee Rohde Wickel. She was baptized on December 29, 1963 and confirmed on May 14, 1978 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church. Melissa graduated Round Top Carmine High School in 1982. She graduated from Blinn College in 1984 and Sam Houston State University in 1986. She worked at Shepard Crane Engineering in Stafford, TX for 7 years. Her current employment was with Bluebonnet Electric in Giddings for almost 25 years.

She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She served on the Round Top Carmine Education Foundation Board. She was on the stewardship committee and the church council at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine. She was a member of Round Top Hermann Sons Life Lodge #151. She was a member of SPJST Lodge #179 where she served as secretary/treasurer. She enjoyed photography, quilting, traveling, fishing, her annual cousin’s weekend and spending time with close friends.

She is survived by mother, Ora Lee Wickel Levien; sister and brother in law, Melba and Randy Zingelmann; nieces, Brandy Zingelmann and Bridgette Ingram and husband J.P.; as well as great-nephews, Benjamin Swisher, Jaxton Ingram; and great-nieces, Bailey Swisher, Jolee Ingram; and many cousins and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her dad, Melvin Wickel; her stepdad, Leroy Levien; and grandparents, uncles and aunts.

The family is thankful for all the prayers and the love and support throughout her illness.

Memorials are suggested to Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine, Round Top Carmine Education Foundation or Brazos Valley Hospice. In lieu of flowers Melissa asked that you plant something on your property to enjoy daily and remember her.

The mailing address for the church is:

Martin Luther Lutheran Church

P O BOX 362

Carmine, TX 78932-0362

 

You can also give a memorial gift to MLLC through our web site.  Follow this link to our secure giving page.  Simply use the “General Operating” section, and note “Melissa Wickel” in the memo box to the right of box noting your gift amount.  Thank you for remembering Melissa with a memorial gift to her church.

Confirmation Sunday 2018

Confirmation Class 2018

We celebrate the faith commitment of two of our MLLC youth.  Miles Tinker and Janette Weidemann affirmed their baptism on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at MLLC.  We are thankful for the commitment of the students, parents, congregation, and teachers involved in the Confirmation Class Ministry of MLLC.  We share this ministry with 4 other congregations:  Waldeck Lutheran Church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Round Top, St. Paul Lutheran – Shelby, and Greenvine Emmanuel Lutheran – Burton.  The pastoral leaders of each congregation are the teachers.  The classes in the group have been held at MLLC for many years now.  In recent years the classes have been held in the new Mission & Ministry Building of MLLC.

 

 

Confirmation Class

Miles Clark Tinker

Born: March 18, 2004 in Plymouth, Indiana

Baptized: April 10, 2004 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church,
North Liberty, Indiana

Parents: David & Jennifer Tinker

Sponsors (Godparents): Gordon & Elaine Tinker, Sharol & Dale Herr, George Clark, and Eric Clark

Bible Verse: John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Janette Allene Weidemann

Born: November 25, 2003 in Austin, Texas

Baptized: March 21, 2004 at Palm Valley Lutheran Church,
Round Rock, Texas

Parents: Cindy Weidemann
Jonathan & Melissa Weidemann

Sponsors (Godparents): Jeffrey & Kristi Wunderlich, Jessica Weidemann, Joah & Heather Weidemann, Tracy & Thomas Ruether, and Keith & Danette Farris

Bible Verse: Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

 

 

 

Vigil of Easter 2018

EasterVigilCandles

Saturday, March 31, 2018, is the date of the Great Vigil of Easter, Holy Saturday, at MLLC.  For many in the church around the world, this is the centerpiece of their year as followers of Jesus.

 

Click this link to view a blog post from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding this service and its connections with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Click this link to view a blog post by our own Jennifer Clark Tinker which tells about her experience and joy related to attending the Great Vigil of Easter each year.

 

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter

Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.

First, we must break the darkness of the night.   Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.

When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.

After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the Church family, known as the Bride of Christ.  Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us reaffirms our faith through the Apostles Creed. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.

We are nearly ready. The time is close.  We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory!  In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

Our Celebrations of the Resurrection of Jesus

The Great Vigil of Easter – 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 – see the introduction above. Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Sunrise – 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 1, at the Carmine Cemetery. Bring a lawn or folding chair for seating.  Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Festival – Sunday April 1.  Opportunities at both MLLC and Waldeck

MLLC Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School in the Fellowship Hall.  A light reception in the Parlor, near the sanctuary entrance and church offices.

10:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~11:15 a.m. – Easter Egg Hunt

 

Waldeck Schedule:

8:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~9:00 a.m. – Pot-luck Easter Breakfast – bring an item to share

9:30 a.m./After Breakfast – Easter Egg Hunt

Carmine Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt

The Carmine Community is offering its annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, March 31.

Carmine Area Organizations and Businesses are sponsoring the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Carmine City Park for children ages 1 through 9.  The Easter Bunny arrives at 11:00 a.m. You are welcome to take photos of your child or family with the Easter Bunny with your own camera.

See this flier for more details.

Thank you to the volunteers and businesses who worked to put this together.  Eggs and treat bags were prepared at homes and at MLLC during the week so the children will have plenty of treats.  Also, many of the eggs include a Golden Dollar, the official US dollar coin.

 

This event is open to all children, both from Carmine and from other communities.  Come one and all for a fun at the Carmine City Park.

April 2018 Newsletter Available

Newsletter Image

We have updated the MLLC Newsletter Archive page.  We have the most recent newsletter, the April 2018 edition, on this page.

This edition provides our Holy Week Schedule, as well as other updates about ministry opportunities available through MLLC in Carmine.  This also includes our monthly calendar of events, server schedules and the like.

The Archive goes back a few years with copies of our monthly newsletters.  Please feel free to look over these to see what we have done and how we have celebrated God’s goodness together.

Click this link to go to our Newsletter Archive Page.