ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER MARCH, 2015

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1 Sisters and Brothers in Christ, ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER MARCH, 2015 For 40 years, the Israelites wandered in the desert before reaching the Promised Land. For 40 days, Moses stayed on top of Mount Zion receiving God s laws, the Torah. For 40 days, Elijah hid from his enemies in the wilderness, and, at the end of that time, heard the still small voice of God. For 40 days, Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, renouncing the way of earthly power and choosing the way of the cross. A few hundred years after Christ, the early church adopted that same 40 day pattern in a season they called Lent, a time to prepare for the great Easter celebration through penance, prayer, education, and self-examination. On Ash Wednesday, we entered into a new journey together, as generations of Christians have before us, to begin this 40 day Lenten journey. It is a time that has been recognized by Christians for almost two thousand years; it is a journey to the cross of Christ and even more importantly, a certain journey to the empty tomb. And there s another thing that s certain: there is no easing into Lent. It hits us right between the eyes, literally with ashes, as we heard those words once again: Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Our Lenten journey began by being confronted with our own mortality. We are dust. We are finite. We are sinful and broken. We will not live forever. As we journey through Lent together, as generations of Christians have before us; what will happen this time? Will we grow in faithfulness and obedience like the Israelites? Will we enter more deeply into God s Word, like Moses? Will we discover the silence that allows us to hear the still, small voice of God? Will we renounce the things that draw us away from God, and embrace the way of the cross for ourselves? What does God have in store for us this year? Whatever it is, we can be certain that there will be challenges, and there will be grace. And, no matter how our Lent unfolds, we can be certain of our destination: Easter morning. One other note if I may use my pastoral prerogative; the season of Lent serves as an opportunity for Christians to prepare for the coming celebration of Easter and to do so as we gather in worship with Christians everywhere. The season of Lent is not made up of several opportunities of which you may pick and choose which services you want to attend. Each service is intended to be a part of the total preparation time of Lent. With that in mind, it is my hope that you take advantage of this one opportunity of six weeks to prepare for the celebration of Easter. We also enter into this time of journey with our Brothers and Sisters from Eckert Presbyterian Church. I invite and encourage you to accept the offerings of Wednesday night Lenten services shared between our two congregations. We will gather as a community to unite your voices with others of faith. We will gather together at the foot of the cross and arrive together at the delight of an empty tomb. Servants together, Pastor Paul <><

2 LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS/WORSHIP SERVICES All Saints will hold our annual Lenten soup suppers & worship services February All Saints March 11@ All Saints March All Saints Soup 5:15 p.m. per the schedule below: Maundy Thursday Service, April All Saints at 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service, April All Saints at 7:00 p.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. March Eckert Presbyterian March Eckert Presbyterian No soup supper If you would like a ride to any or all of the Lent services, please call Pastor at church or Barb. We have volunteers waiting to assist! PALM SUNDAY BREAKFAST Sunday, March 8:30 a.m. This has been a long standing tradition at All Saints and soooo delicious. Please review the sign-up sheet on the Fellowship Board to assist in bringing the food. Miriam Circle will be providing the meat. If you have any questions, please call Doris Babbel. 5th SUNDAY SPECIAL MINISTRY OFFERINGS SPECIAL OLYMPICS As many of you already know, Special Olympics is very near and dear to my heart. I have been involved with Special Olympics Colorado for over 25 years. You may also know that I have a special needs nephew that has been participating for over 10 years. Since 1968, Special Olympics has been offering women, men, and children with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competitions in Olympic-style sports in more than 32 individual and team sports. I love that the player oath that they take before a competition is Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt! If you have ever been blessed with the opportunity to watch these individuals compete you truly see how brave they are in the attempt. Special Olympics helps individuals with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers through sports. Athletes are empowered to shatter stereotypes and exceed their personal bests on the playing field and in life. One of the practices of this congregation has been to designate offerings when there is a fifth Sunday of the month to a worthy ministry or organization. In the February Council meeting, it was voted to designate the offering in March to go to Special Olympics. On behalf of so many individuals and families that are challenged with intellectual disabilities, I am so very grateful to All Saints for your generous giving. **PLEASE NOTE** - the monies given in the offering will go specifically to the Western Slope Area Special Olympics program. This will help provide the equipment and support to the athletes in this community so that they continue to have an opportunity to participate in such a life giving program. Servants together, Pastor Paul <>< 2

3 FUTURE EVENTS AT ALL SAINTS!!! MAGIC CIRCLE MARCH DATE Several of us have been going together to the plays at the Magic Circle Theater in Montose plus enjoying lunch together before the performance. The play for March is Pride and Prejudice and the cost is $12 for seniors. We will attend as a group on Sunday, March 22, carpooling from church at 11:30 a.m. If you re interested in attending, please call Carolyn Goller or Barbara as soon as possible but no later than March 1st so we can make your reservation to sit with us! ANNUAL COMMUNITY SPAGHETTI DINNER Friday, April 10 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Proceeds this year will go to support the purchase & training of the Cedaredge Police Department s K-9 who will be trained for drug detection services plus other department assistance. ANNUAL YARD/BAKE SALE Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25 As you start your spring cleaning :-), please save your quality garage/rummage sale items for the church s annual yard sale. If you need help with an item, please call Janell Riese at Please, no electronics. Also, part of the yard sale is a bake sale! All Saints has a reputation for always having delicious homemade items so put on those aprons & bake up something delicious! Proceeds from this event help sponsor special needs of All Saints Janell Yard /Bake Sale Chair THIS MONTH FRIDAY, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. World Day of Prayer St. Phillips Catholic Church, Cedaredge Lunch following the program 3

4 Looking For a Way to Deepen Your Worship Experience? For many people, looking at the Bible readings before Sunday helps put the message in the context of their lives. As you read the lessons, ask yourself: Is there anything in the readings that relate to your life right now? Is there anything that surprises you in the readings? Disturbs you? Try doing this and see if following this on a weekly basis strengthens your personal faith life, and deepens your worship experience. The Lessons for Worship in March These are the Bible readings that we will hear during our worship services this month. They are provided that you might use them for personal devotion and meditation. March 1 st Second Sunday in Lent March 8 th Third Sunday in Lent Genesis 17: 1-7, Exodus 20: 1-17 Psalm22:23-31 Psalm 19 Romans 4: Corinthians 1:18-25 Mark 8: John 2:13-22 March 15 th Fourth Sunday in Lent March 22 nd Fifth Sunday in Lent Numbers 21:4-9 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 107:1-3, Psalm 51:1-12 Ephesians 2: 1-10 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 3: John 12:20-33 March 29 th Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11 and/or John 12:1-16 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-15:47 and/or Mark 15:1-39 4

5 SUNDAY WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar15 Mar 22 Mar 29 Communion Communion Worship Leader: Pastor Paul Pastor Paul Pastor Paul Pastor Paul Pastor Paul Liturgy Assistant: Joel Joel JKaren Karen Karen Communion Assist: Joel Olinda Communion Bread: Marj Marj Marj Organist: Don Don Don Don Don Altar Guild: Alice Claudia Alice Reader. Marj Joel Elaine LuAnn Barbara Usher: Lloyd Erich Greeter: Marilyn L. Olinda Fellowship: Donelle & Palm Sunday Amber Breakfast Stewards: 3/1 Doris/Sharon 3/8 Claudia/Erich 3/15 Lloyd/Sharon 3/22 Claudia/Janell 3/29 Doris/Sharon Lent Services 3/4 Lloyd/Rick 3/11 Nelson/Janell 3/18 Doris/Rick 3/25 Nelson/Erich 4/2 Lloyd/Rick 4/3 Nelson/Janell * * * * ALL SAINTS SPECIAL OCCASIONS FOR MARCH BIRTHDAYS 3/8 Amber Morrow 3/19 Carolyn Goller 3/28 Jenifer Oien ANNIVERSARIES 3/9/1955 Paul & Carolyn Schmid 3/16/1991 Duane & Penny Morton BAPTISMAL DAYS 3/24 Marj Seely 3/28 Barbara Cairns 3/25 Ruth Foote 3/?? Lloyd Liebetrau 3/26 Lee Martinson 5

6 ALL SAINTS QUICK INFORMATION Church (970) Church Pastor Paul Rosin Cell Phone: Elected Officers: Committee Chairs: Prayer Chain Chair: Bulletin: Marquee: Newsletter Barbara Cairns, President Joel Magnuson, Vice President Niles Riese, Secretary Penny Morton, Treasurer Carolyn Goller, Outreach/Stewardship Don McMillan, Education Olinda Patzer, Co-Worship Karen McFarland, Co-Worship Niles Riese, Co-Building/Property Rick Saxton, Co-Building/Property Doris Babbel, Fellowship Don McMillan, Co-Fellowship Memorial Fund, Executive Committee Finance Committee, Penny Morton, Chair & Executive Committee Marj Seely, Financial Secretary Claudia Kellogg Carolyn Goller, Joel Magnuson, Janell Riese Niles Riese, Joel Magnuson Barbara Cairns, Lylah Canty, Carolyn Goller, Claudia Kellogg Please notify Pastor Paul or Karen McFarland if you or someone in your family is entering the hospital CHURCH WEBSITE CHURCH ADDRESS 6