News
As We Gather
When someone calls you on your phone, do you always answer? In our present day with caller identification, many are apt to let the call go to voicemail to wait and see what the message is and who it’s from and at times wait to respond depending on the level of importance. How about when God calls? Especially, if that call is one to repentance? Do you answer? We hear in today’s Readings of the response of some. Jonah was a reluctant follower. He went to Nineveh begrudgingly, but through him God would issue a call for the Ninevites to repentance. Jesus would call Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, and promised that through them, God would issue a call of repentance to many. In Baptism, God has called us to follow Him in a life of faith and repentance, and He promises that through us, others will also be called to that same repentance and new life.
Midweek Bible Study
Pastor’s Weekday Bible Study is back on Wednesdays @ 10:00 in the Sanctuary.
A Lutheran Hour Ministry’s Households of Faith video study lead by Pastor Ray. You will learn how to apply spiritual disciplines, extend hospitality, and engage in spiritual conversations so you can transform your household into a more open and engaging place where God’s love is shared, and people are encouraged to learn more about Jesus.
Participant Guide
Adult Sunday School with Pastor Ray
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study - Book of Daniel.
The Book of Daniel is much more than a combination of miraculous stories and fantastic visions; it presents the Gospel of the promised Messiah and his eternal kingdom. However, interpreting Daniel is no easy task. This class will open up Scripture for us to explore themes relevant for today.
For more information email: Pastor Ray.
Sunday School with the Family Life Minister
A Different In Person Sunday School Option:
(Live Streaming is not available)
Sunday School with the Family Life Minister coming soon to the Youth Room during the Education Hour. A multigenerational class for the Middle Schooler, the High Schooler, and anyone post High School. Parents, you are welcome to participate as an alternative option to Pastor Ray’s Sunday School class.
We are investigating the life of Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph as told in Scripture. Many parts of Joseph’s story are familiar. With the help of the Holy Spirit, our contextual examination will reveal truth and hidden gems that are relevant for today.
Children's Sunday School
We long for the return of Sunday School for children. On several occasions over the past few months we have had false starts thinking you were ready when you were not. Volunteer Sunday School teachers are willing to share the love of God with your kids. If your family is ready to resume attending Sunday School please visit with Family Life Minister Curtis so he can coordinate with the Sunday School Teachers.
For more information email: Family Life Minister Curtis.
Lifetree Cafe
Are there demonic spirits roaming the earth today or is the devil simply a made-up fairy tale? Discover the surprising answer during “Is the Devil Real?” We will meet a guy who has conducted modern-day exorcisms and says he’s removed demons from people. Hear about his unique experiences during “Is the Devil Real?” this week at Lifetree Café.
Stewardship
Mark 1:14-15 – “… Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’ ”
To repent means to turn away from sins and our former way of thinking and turn toward belief in God and His Gospel of grace and mercy. The whole Christian life is one of repentance and faith. Where is God calling you to repent today? How is He calling you to deeper faith?
Lutherans For Life
“Today we don’t confess that we are against abortion. We are, of course. But that’s not quite it. Today we don’t confess that we are pro-life. We are, of course. But that’s not quite it, either. Today we confess that God gives life to all things. God makes, and we are made. He makes life, and we leave alive.” Rev. Christopher Esget, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Virginia – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
Youth Jr
Youth Jr, a youth group for elementary age kids.
Mardi Gras Masks
"People judge others by what they look like, but I [God] judge people by what is in their hearts.” -1Samuel 16:7b
It can be fun to put on a mask and act like someone else. A mask hides what you really look like. Sometimes people will act a certain way so that people will think that they are better than they really are. God is not fooled by a masks. Let us make sure that our actions are pleasing and honorable to God.
Youth Group
Sr High Youth Group meets Sundays @ 6:00-8:00 - Nurturing discipleship by building a community focused on the Word of God with food, studies, games, crafts, and cultural commentary.
Movie Night! Original sin affects us even in ways that may seem innocuous. The 2020 Netflix film “The Social Dilemma” is a warning on how social media companies with their “like” buttons make you captive to our own inclinations and preferences. Don’t believe everything you read online without recognizing how it is packaged. While not written from a Christian perspective, nevertheless, we will appraise its warnings through that lens.
For more information email: Family Life Minister Curtis.
American Heritage Girls
Troop 1517 meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month (New dates as of 2021) at 5:45 PM.
"I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Lord. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common." - 1Cor 1:10 (The Message)
This troop meeting is focusing on Money Management. Money Management skills, like budgeting and saving, are likely to last long into adulthood if those lessons are learned early.
For more information email: Laura Nimmo.
Confirmation Saturdays
Confirmation is a lifelong Christian education and relational experience, within the congregation, that began when you came to faith in Jesus Christ.
Unit Promises
Goal: With the help of the Holy Spirit, students can come to understand that the promises made by God are fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
Promises 6 - Jesus
Lesson Objective: Given Scripture references TLSB, SC, and class discussion, students will...
1. conclude that faith in Jesus Christ is the only path to God.
2. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made by God.
Confirmation Thursdays
Confirmation is a lifelong Christian education and relational experience, within the congregation, that began when you came to faith in Jesus Christ.
Unit Ten
Goal: With the help of the Holy Spirit, students can come to understand the purpose of God's Law in their lives.
Ten 1 - Purpose of the Law
Lesson Objective: Given Scripture references TLSB, SC, and class discussion, students will...
1. justify God's jealousy.
2. define sin.
3. know the purpose of the Law
Sancity of Life Sunday
January 24th is designated “Sanctity of Life Sunday” where we place emphasis on speaking and acting on behalf of those who are vulnerable and defenseless. We are also making available the DVD, UNPLANNED, for check out from the Church Office.
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Lawn Team Recruitment
Recruitment for 2-Person Lawn Team members is underway. Lawn Teams help keep our Church grounds attractive and welcoming to visitors! We need to replace a long-time team which just retired from our lineup—and also to add several additional teams to lessen the burden on the present team members.
For more information email: Darrell Bittle.
Flower Chart
The 2021 Altar Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex by the drinking fountains. Check chart for donation opportunity and availability.
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Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast beginning at 6:30 AM. The day before Ash Wednesday is Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. (In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a season that mirrors the season of Epiphany). Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in preparation of Lent. The idea was to consume all those fatty foods that were traditionally given up for Lent. The British began the pancake eating custom.
Egg Hunt
The Tradition of Easter Eggs: Second-century Christian missionaries encountered people in the North with pagan celebrations and evangelized to them using the symbols familiar to that culture. Christianity changed the pagan symbolism of the egg (nature’s rebirth) and linked it to the empty tomb – to Christ’s Resurrection and His victory over death. Lore that has developed around the decoration of Easter Eggs includes a tale about the mother of Jesus at the foot of the cross and Mary Magdalen’s visit to Jesus's tomb. Mary is said to have given eggs to the soldiers at the cross so that they would be less cruel. Her tears fell upon the eggs, spotting them with dots of brilliant color. Another tale explains that when Mary Magdalen went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, she had with her a basket of eggs. Upon arriving at the tomb she discovered the eggs had taken on a rainbow of colors. These story’s are not biblical but are useful examples of how Christians in the past took advantage of secular symbols to share the Gospel with the world around them. The prize found in today’s Easter Eggs can be an opening to describe the prize won for us through Christ’s work.
Ash Wednesday
At 7:00 AM and 6:30 PM on Ash Wednesday.
On this day ashes are placed on our foreheads to remind us of death, of the sorrow they should feel for our sins, and of the necessity of changing our lives in response the love shown to us on the cross. The practice, which dates from the early Middle Ages, is common among Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Episcopalians, and Lutherans
Lent Meals
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent and also our Wednesday meal service. The Youth Board is sponsoring meals prior to Wednesday services during the Lenten Season. Dinner is served from 5:30 until 6:15 PM.
Jesus Movies
Over the years Hollywood has made a number of films about the life of Jesus; King of Kings (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Passion of the Christ (2004), and Son of God (2014). Each film brings a different perspective to the biblical story. Fridays in Lent @ 6:30 PM we are watching one of these films to evaluate the depicted film ions of Jesus with the Jesus of Scripture.
Offering Envelopes
2021 Offering Envelopes are available for pickup in the Narthex. If you need them mailed to you or are having trouble finding yours contact the church office. More and more people are donating online which means not everyone is assigned a set of offering envelopes. For more information email: Dianna Riggenbach.
