Emmaus Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will. not fear Hebrews 13:5-6 Emmaus Lutheran Church March 2015 My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, Alas! And did my Savior bleed. MEETING REMINDERS March 2 nd 9:30am LWML Meeting March 2 nd 7:30pm Elder s Meeting March 4 th 7:30pm March 8 th after Worship Chili Luncheon March 11 th 7:30pm March 18 th 7:30pm March 19 th 7:30pm Thursday Worship with Holy Communion March 25 th 7:30pm Pastor David W. Kern Church Ph: Home Ph: Cell Ph: I was reminded in conversation the other day about a time when I played football in high school. It was back then, that I first heard the phrase coined by our coach, Excuses are for weak people! When one of the linemen would miss a block, or a receiver dropped the ball, and make an excuse for their performance, coach would remind them it wasn t necessary to make an excuse; only to work harder the next time. In our lives as Christians, paradoxically nothing could be further from the truth. We are reminded constantly for our failures, our weaknesses as we attempt to overcome Satan s work in our lives. The harder we attempt to do so the more we find that we alone cannot overcome such weakness. During the season of Lent we are reminded that we fall short of God s glory, in thought, word and deed. I have occasionally had someone explain their absence from midweek Lenten service. They would have come, but I have to get up too early the next day! or I don t do well driving at night, anymore Pastor so I don t go anywhere, unless it s special! As children, we are reminded of God s love for us as we sing: Jesus loves me this I know; for the Bible tells me so Little ones to Him belong They are weak, but He is strong (Refrain) Yes, Jesus Loves me (X 3) The Bible tells me so! We are reminded again and again of our Lord s love for us, as He treks toward the cross. And yes, the world sees a Jesus hangs upon the cross, as something of a weak nature. But we know it is a show of strength for us in His love. He cares so much that He willingly gives up His life for us, that we might have eternal life with Him. There is resolute strength in that message. On that first Easter morning, the tomb where Jesus had been buried two days earlier lay empty. The emptiness of the tomb reflected the feelings of those who had followed emptiness. That feeling of emptiness leads again to weakness on their part. The message of His rising again was told them. But they remained empty in spirit. That emptiness would be short-lived. As news spread that He had risen, there was much reason to rejoice. Indeed we are weak! But we need not make excuses. We need only acknowledge in our faith, I know that my Redeemer lives! He provides us strength in our weakness. As we travel along that same road, may we be reminded of His strength in times of our weakness. Yours in His care, Pastor Kern

2 ELDERS The elders will meet Monday, March 2 nd at 7:30 PM. The elder on duty in March is Rich Bertels. LWML The LWML will meet Monday, March 2 nd at 9:30 AM. CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS The 2014 contribution statements are in members mailboxes in the Sunday School room. Please pick them up so that we can save the cost of sending them out. WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS Our Wednesday morning Bible class meets at 9:30 AM in the homes of various members. Our normal schedule is fellowship and refreshments from 9:30 to 10:00, with the Bible class beginning at 10:00. During March we will meet in the following locations: March 4 th, Margaret Bertels; March 11 th Delores Whitlock; March 18 th, Marie Johnson; March 25 th, Allen Bertels. Everyone is welcome to come and join us. WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR MARCH Sunday March 1 st Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 5:1-11; Mark 8:27-38 Wednesday March 4 th Mid-Week Lenten Service Purple Sunday March 8 th Exodus 20:1-17;1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 2:13-22 (23-25) Second Sunday in Lent - Purple Third Sunday in Lent Purple Wednesday March 11 th Mid-Week Lenten Service Purple Sunday March 15 th Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; Fourth Sunday in John 3:14-21 Lent Purple Wednesday March 18 th Mid-Week Lenten Service Purple Thursday March 19 th Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:1-10; Purple Mark 10:(32-34) Sunday March 22 nd Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:1-10; Fifth Sunday in Mark 10:(32-34) Lent - Purple Wednesday March 25 th Mid-Week Lenten Service Purple Sunday March 29 th Mark14:1-15;1-47 or Mark 15:1-147 or Zechariah 9:9-12; Philippians 2:5-11; John 12:20-43 Palm Sunday Purple ALTAR GUILD The altar guild members serving in March are Mary Johnson and Deloris Whitlock. MARCH USHER SCHEDULE The March usher schedule is as follows: Sunday, March 1 st Ric Coyle; Wednesday, March 4 th Eugene Bertels and Matt Bertels; Sunday, March 8 th Sam Bertels and Rich Bertels; Wednesday 11 th David Leach and Allen Bertels; Sunday, March 15 th Scott Aljets and Ken Heuer; Wednesday March 18 th Ric Coyle and Malcolm Anders; Sunday, March 22 nd Eugene Bertels and Matt Bertels; Wednesday March 25 th Sam Bertels and Rich Bertels; Sunday, March 29 th David Leach and Allen Bertels.

3 SOCIAL & SERVICE CLUB ANNUAL REPORT: Balance on Hand January 1, Income: Salad Luncheon Cans and Scrap Chili Luncheon Interest on checking acct..89 Total Income: Expenses: Food for Mryln Meffert Funeral Ground beef & paper supplies for Pastor Conference Chicken for Polzin farewell I-Pad with 2yr warranty Confirmation Cake Food for Pastor Stratmann farewell Congregation Lunch and Movie Donuts, cookies and coffee Chili Luncheon ingredients Gift Cards for Thanksgiving Baskets Christmas Party expenses Total Expenses: Balance on Hand December 31, LENTEN and EASTER SERVICES During the season of Lent, we will be exploring the classis depiction of nine crosses and the history of each, to include, the subjects of each for prophecy, humility, hope, sugaring, regeneration, mission and eternity, pointing us to a richer meaning of the cross upon which our Savior was hung. On Maundy Thursday, we will celebrate the Lord s Supper and on Good Friday we will also be studying Our Lord s Words on the cross. Below, you will find the list of services and times along with the topic of the message for each. Coffee and cookies will be provided after the Wednesday services. If you wish to provide cookies for an upcoming evening during lent, there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. February 18, :30 pm John 3:14-15 Ash Wednesday The Tau Cross Prophecy February 22, :00 am Bible Study 1 st Sunday of Lent 10:00 am Worship February 25, :30 am Matthew 16: nd Wednesday of Lent The Saltire Cross Humility March 1, :00 am Bible Study 2 nd Sunday of Lent 10:00 am Worship March 4, :30 pm Hebrews 6: rd Wednesday of Lent The Anchor Cross Hope March 8, :00 am Bible Study 3 rd Sunday of Lent 10:00 am Worship March 11, :30 pm James 1: th Wednesday of Lent The Maltese Cross Regeneration March 15, :00 am Bible Study 4 th Sunday of Lent 10:00 am Worship

4 March 18, :30 pm 1 Peter 2: th Wednesday of Lent The Greek Cross Suffering March 22, :00 am Bible Study 6 th Sunday of Lent 10:00 am Worship March 25, :30 pm Ephesians 2: th Wednesday of Lent The Cross Crosslet Mission March 29, :00 am Bible Study Palm Sunday 10:00 am Worship Confirmation Service April 2, :30 pm Colossians 1:19-23 Maundy Thursday The Celtic Cross Redemption (Service with Communion) April 3, :30 pm John 19:17-18 Good Friday The Passion Cross Passion April 5, :30 am Sunrise Service Resurrection of Our Lord 10:00 am Easter Service RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER ELECTRONICALLY If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter by rather than by regular mail, emmaus5215@gmail.com. If you would like to pick it up at church, either in the church office or in your mailbox, please let either Chris Prager or Pastor David know. This would save on postage expenses. We will continue to mail the newsletter to those who prefer to receive it in that way. CONFIRMATION Our Confirmation Class will continue to meet at 6:30 on Wednesday evenings, before Lenten Services. We plan to confirm three on Palm Sunday, March 29 th. We may still need to complete some instruction after that date. CHILI LUNCHEON The Social Committee is having a Chili Luncheon on Sunday, March 8 th following the worship service. Donations of pies would be greatly appreciated. UPCOMING EVENTS St. Paul s Lutheran in Troy will be hosting their annual Sausage Supper on Sunday, March1, 2015 from noon until 6:00 PM. See the flier in the hallway for more details. 19 th ANNUAL SAUSAGE DINNER AND SUPPER: Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 12 noon until 5:00pm. Zion Lutheran Parish Hall 609 E. Warren St. Bunker Hill, IL. Bulk sausage sales: Friday, February 27 th and Saturday, February 28 th, 9am 2pm, Sunday, March 1 st, 12 noon to 5pm. COOKED SAUSAGE SALES AVAILABLE ALL DAY SUNDAY AT THE DOOR 10 LINKS FOR $10.00 ADVANCED TICKETS: Adults $10.00 TICKETS AT THE DOOR: Adults $11.00 Children: 4-10 $4.00 / Children 3 and under FREE. Drive thru Carry Outs Available (for Adult price only). Call Facility is handicapped accessible. There is a flier in the hallway. SID LWML Spring Retreat is on March 7 th at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hoffman, IL. For more information please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the hallway. Women Day of Renewal will be on March 13 th and 14 th at Good Shepherd in Collinsville. For more information please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the hallway. Metro-North Zone LWML Prayer Breakfast will be March 14 th at Bunker Hill.

5 ATTENDANCE FOR FEBRUARY Sunday February 1 st 72 Communion 59 Sunday February 8 th 84 Sunday February 15 th 56 Communion 41 Wednesday Ferbruary 18 th 25 (Ash Wed) Thursday February 19 th CX Communion CX Sunday February 22 nd 50 MARCH BIRTHDAYS March: 1 Donnell Elizabeth Smith March 14 Rebecca Ellen Schrage 1 Terry Allen Ruppel 16 Susan Marie Aljets 7 Lauren Rae Corby 18 Hailey JoAnn Bertels 7 Megann Renee Pohlman 21 Frederick Edward Aljets 8 Marilyn Dorothy W. Bertels 21 Bill Crowe 8 Samuel Joseph Bertels 23 Rachel Kathleen Alexander 8 Ken Wyatt 25 Sharon Halemeyer 8 David Earl Nolan 27 Daniel Alexander 10 Carolyn Kay Bockstruck 28 Hallie Michelle Schilling 11 Curtis Lee Carter 29 George John Gude 14 Karen Sue Bertels 30 Cheryl Lynn Carter