FORGIVE TO LIVE. Saturday, March 18 at Peace Lutheran 203 Jackrabbit Lane. 10:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. (lunch provided)

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1 March Peace Lutheran Church A congregation of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ N. Jackrabbit Lane Belgrade, MT The Words Inside In recognition of the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation the mid-week service messages will focus on the 6 parts of Martin Luther's Small Catechism. Upcoming Events 1 Easter Flowers 2 Pastor Bob 3 Pastor Jeff 4 March Ministry Teams 5 Calendar 6 Thanks Yous 7 Ladybug News New Member Info. March Baptisms April Ministry Teams Birthdays/Anniversaires 8 Council Roster LCMC NW Dist. Gathering March Readings 9 Pastor Bob Coughlin BobCoughlin74@gmail.com Pastor Jeff Redlin Jeff.Redin@gmail.com Mike Hansen Council President Please join us for a live simulcast event with Dr. Dick Tibbits. FORGIVE TO LIVE Saturday, March 18 at Peace Lutheran 203 Jackrabbit Lane 10:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. (lunch provided) Jointly sponsored by the Belgrade Seventh-day Adventist And Peace Lutheran Church During this simulcast, Dr. Tibbits presents original medical research demonstrating how forgiveness can actually prevent heart disease as well as reduce multiple other negative physical and emotional elements in a person. As Christians we understand the overwhelming need for forgiveness both for our salvation and relationship with God and others. Karlene Swenson Church Office PeaceLutheran@live.com 1

2 Easter Sunday Flowers Please Print and place an X in the appropriate ( ) s below: Name of Donor: ( ) In Memory of Relationship: ( ) In Honor of the Risen Christ Choice of flower: ( ) Potted Easter Lily - $22.00 ( ) Potted Cyclamen - $19.00 ( ) Potted Begonia - $19.00 ( ) Potted Daisy Mum - $16.00 ( ) Will purchase own plant & bring for Easter Service (Please bring on Saturday.) The last day to place orders is Sunday, April 2. Make checks payable to PEACE LUTHERAN ALTAR GUILD. Place this form and money, if appropriate, in an envelope and put in box found in both the Narthex and the Fellowship Hall (or give to Audrey Vitarius, Carol White or Karlene). ( ) Flowers will be taken home after Easter Services. ( ) Please give Flowers to shut-in. Memorials will be acknowledged in the Easter bulletin. Thank you. 2

3 Dear Family at Peace, With the turn of the calendar to March we enter into the season of Lent. The sixweek season begins with Ash Wednesday, which sets the tone for the season humility, simplicity, sobriety and sorrow. In our practice of Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of our fragility and mortality. Dust and ashes. These symbolize two themes that are at the heart of Lent: our mortality as creatures and our moral culpability. We acknowledge both as admission of our need for a Savior. One author describes it this way: Each year the season of Lent asks us to embrace a spiritual gravity, a downward movement of the soul, a turning from our self-sufficiency and sinfulness. In such quiet turning, we are humbled and thus made ready to receive from God a fresh and joyous grace. (Bobby Gross Living the Christian Year) We do this through worship that takes into account our sin and need for forgiveness. The songs and hymns we sing reflect our condition and the suffering that was voluntarily bore by Christ on our behalf (Is.52:13-53:12). We can think of Lent as a sojourn and a journey as we identify with Jesus spending time in the desert, alone in self-reflection and discernment of God s way. The journey takes place on the road to Jerusalem as Jesus moves toward his dark destiny. The sojourn causes us to look inward and acknowledge our human and spiritual vulnerabilities; the journey bids us look outward and weigh the costs of discipleship. Many find it helpful to adopt new practices or spiritual disciplines during Lent. These may include prayer and Scripture meditation, moral inventory and behavior change, fasting and other forms of abstinence, acts of generosity and service. It is also helpful at this time to rehearse and reaffirm our baptismal promises: to renounce Satan and all evil powers and sinful desires, to trust in the grace of Christ as our Savior, to follow him as our Lord. As we turn inward and turn Godward, we can trust Him to turn toward us with spiritual grace (see Ps. 138; Jas 4:6). It is my prayer that we at Peace Lutheran Church will be lead into a season of deeper meaning and closer relationship to our Lord. Sojourners and Pilgrims together, Pastor Bob 3

4 Dear Friends, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit. (Psalm 51: 10-12) These familiar verses from Psalm 51 are very important to me. When I want to bring my thoughts and prayers to God I often begin by first saying these words. Sometimes when I walk our dog, Sadie, or am driving my pickup I ll sing these words using the melody from the old ALC red Service Book and Hymnal. I still prefer the melody in that hymnal above any others that I ve heard and I ve used the translation from that hymnal above. It is no surprise that Psalm 51is the first psalm we read in Lent. Lent is a time to face the truth of sinful humanity, For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (v.3) Like King David, we know that in order for us to give God what God desires, truth in the inner parts (v.6) we must do as David did- acknowledge and confront our sin. We, too, must pray for God s abundant grace and mercy. It is no accident that the first words of this psalm are Have mercy on me, O God. Our confession of sin must not be merely an expression of remorse or our struggle with failure or guilt but the recognition that we need to be changed. Our problem is not just the need for a pardon for a particular wrong but a deliverance from the predicament of ourselves, Surely I was sinful at birth. (v.5) Yet Psalm 51 is not just about our nature- it is also about God s nature. After beseeching God for mercy, David concludes verse 1 with the declaration, according to your steadfast love and abundant mercy. (v.1b) God is willing to forgive sinners and is able to re-create people. Amid the persistent reality of our sinfulness, through the grace of God there can be a new creation- one that even when derailed by sin still knows the joy of God s salvation. Lent reminds us that the way of salvation leads us to only one place, the cross of Jesus Christ. Only when we lay our sins upon our Savior can we inherit the promise of forgiveness that brings us eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. I look forward to participating in the 40 day Lenten journey with you that begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1. From the cross to the tomb, from the tomb to heaven, Lord we will lift your name on high! O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise. (v.15) Love in Christ, Pastor Jeff 4

5 March 5 Piano Acolyte Usher/Lector/Refreshments March 12 Piano Sojourners & Pilgrims Pr. Bob Coughlin Jackie Currey Devyn Sando Cindy & Zach Sherman Tina Beckman Country Gospel Pr. Jeff Redlin Lorrie Hansen Acolyte Usher/Lector/Refreshments March 19 Piano Jim & Pam Cook Ross & Claudia Leake Sojourners & Pilgrims Pr. Bob Coughlin Jinx Sorensen Ministry Teams Acolyte Usher/Lector/Refreshments Carl & Katy Grassel Peggy Hall March 26 ELW #10 Pr. Jeff Redlin Piano Connie Holton Acolytes Dawson Davis Usher/Lector Council for March Altar Guild for March Dennis & Cheryl Bechtold Kate, Phil & Dawson Davis Jim Cook, Ross Leake & Carl Grassel Jinx Sorensen Kristy Rieger Julie Hanson March bedtime 5

6 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Ash Wednesday 2 3 Pr. Jeff s day off 4 3:30 p.m. Peacemakers 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Grade 4-7) 7 th Day Adventist 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship 7:00 p.m. Youth & Educ. 7:00 p.m. Bible Book Study 5 1st Sunday in Lent 9:00 a.m. Worship Sojourners & Pilgrims 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sunday School & Adult Forum 5:30 p.m. Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Choir 12 2nd Sunday in Lent 9:00 a.m. Worship Country Gospel 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship 19 3 rd Sunday in Lent 9:00 a.m. Worship Sojourners & PIlgrims 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Forum 7:00 P.M. Choir 6 Pr. Bob s day off 5-6 p.m. Food Bank 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 13 Pr. Bob s day off 5-6 p.m. Food Bank 7:00 p. m. Boy Scouts 20 Pr. Bob s day off 5-6 p.m. Food Bank 1-4 p.m. Clothes Closet 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 7 1:30 p.m. Crossways Bible Study 6:30 p.m. 7 th Day Prayer 14 P R. JEFF OUT OF THE OFFICE THIS WEEK 6:30 p.m. 7 th Day Prayer 21 Newsletter Due 1:30 p.m. Crossways Bible Study 6:30 p.m. 7 th Day Prayer 8 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship 15 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship 22 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship 9 3:30 p.m. Peacemakers (Grade 4-7) 9:30 a.m. Worship Comm. 7:00 p.m. Council 7:00 p.m. Bible Book Study 16 No Peacemakers 7:00 p.m. Bible Book Study 23 3:30 p.m. Peacemakers (Grade 4-7) 7:00 p.m. Bible Book Study 10 Pr. Jeff s day off 11 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 7 th Day Adventist Pr. Jeff s day off 25 SPRING AHEAD TONIGHT B4 BED! 10:30 a.m. Forgive to Live Simulcast with Peace 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 7 th Day Adventist PR. JEFF OUT OF THE OFFICE 26 4 th Sunday in Lent 9:00 a.m. Worship ELW #10 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sunday School & Adult Forum 4:30 p.m. Community Café 6:00 p.m. Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Choir 27 Pr. Bob s day off 5-6 p.m. Food Bank 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 28 1:30 p.m. Crossways Bible Study 6:30 p.m. 7 th Day Prayer 29 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship 30 3:30 p.m. Peacemakers (Grade 4-7) 7:00 p.m. Bible BookStudy 31 Pr. Jeff s day off 1 April 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 7 th Day Adventist 6

7 If you would like to show your thanks for something in the next newsletter, please fill out a I give thanks to sheet and place it in the Give Thanks boxes that are located on the counter in the back of the Sanctuary and on a table in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to everyone that brought soup & bread for Ash Wednesday. Shawn Beckman for fixing the downstairs ceiling light fixtures. To all who assisted at the February blood drive, and all who donated much needed blood. We will be welcoming new members on April 9 (Palm Sunday). If you are interested in joining Peace Lutheran, please contact the church office at or at peacelutheran@live.com if you have any questions. We will arrange a Letter of Transfer if coming from a Lutheran church or a meeting with a pastor for non-lutheran transfers for information about what is a Lutheran. There will be an informational meeting April 1 at 10:00 a.m. at Pr. Coughlin s. Ladybug Preschool will be starting early registration for the preschool year March 22. This early registration is open exclusively to Peace Lutheran Church members and current Ladybug Preschool families until April 5 when open registration for the community begins. Registration forms and more information about the preschool are available in the Ladybug Preschool mailbox located in the entryway across from the elevator and next to the coat rack. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. For further information, please contact Shari Watson at , Tina Beckman at , Leslie Bartle at or Tracey Bolich at BAPTISMS FOR March Remember your Baptism whether walking in the rain or in the shower. Members that have been baptized in February are:? Larry Oddy Hallie Andrews Grady Andrews 1 Val Reddick Jeff Redlin 4 Cheyanne Erickson 5 Bill Miller Allison Mattson 11 Megan Winchester 13 Connie Paulson Gabryelle VanLuchene 16 Blaise Bolich 19 Gary Paulson 24 Ty Sando 25 Stan Olean 26 Cassidy Smith 28 Kris Bell Brandon Thurston 30 Charles Clifford 31 Nathan Ross April Ministry Team In March a council member will be calling the following April Ministry Team Members: Kirk & Michelle Banderob Jeff & Kris Bell Debra Briggs & Andy Mitchell Harvey & Laura Carter Jackie Currey Mike & Becky Erickson Roy Finkbeiner Heather Geiger John & Wynne Gillis Jim & Julie Hanson Kevin & Julie Mattson Lisa McCurley Derrick & Michelle Monson Gary & Connie Paulson Joe & Jodi Robbins Steve & De Anne Smith Mike & Joy Spinella Mike & Vickie Streich Fawn Wyman 7

8 MARCH BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES If your birthday or anniversary isn t listed or has the wrong date, please contact the church office so that it can be corrected on the church records. Office is PeaceLutheran@Live.com 2 Whitney Bramlett Cheyanne Erickson Peggy Hall 3 Matthew Coughlin 4 Lewis Murphy, Jr. 6 Charles Clifford 7 Julie Mattson Jesse & Stacy Leake 9 Sadie Locken 10 Jennifer Handsaker 13 Connie Paulson 15 Megan Paulson Whitney Salo 16 Joshwa Moellenkamp 17 Paul & Teresa Flanagan 18 Laura Clifford 19 Gary Paulson Dalton Koosman 20 Claudia Leake Becky Erickson Blaise Bolich 23 Zach Sherman Thane & Kimberly Adams 24 Phillip Winchester Amanda Erickson Stacey Larson 25 Kameron Sando 26 Kristen Steadman Trish Baker 31 Valerie Ross Matthew & Anna Coughlin Udo Akukwe 2017 Council President: Mike Hansen Vice President: John Gillis Secretary: Kari Haas Treasurer: Val Ross Council: Carl Grassel Jerry Swenson Derrick Monson Jackie Currey Kari Haas Ross Leake Megan Paulson Bruce Sorensen Pastor Bob Coughlin Pastor Jeff Redlin This year's Annual Gathering of the NW District of LCMC will be at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish, MT. April The keynote speakers are Rev. Dr. Sean Kelly, Chairman of the LCMC Board of Trustees and Rev. Dan Clites, LCMC Coordinator for Church Planting. The gathering theme is "Rooted and Grounded in Christ's Love" from Ephesians 3: Registration forms and hotel information are available on the LCMC NW District website (www. LCMC-NW.com) or in Pastor Jeff's office. Registration cost is $50 per person before March 18 and $55 afterwards. This is a great opportunity to network with other Montana LCMC congregations! 8

9 Peace Lutheran Church 203 Jackrabbit Lane Belgrade, MT March 11 bedtime GUEST COPY Please take this with you if you are visiting. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact the church office or us at PeaceLutheran@Live.com. The newsletter is available on the website If you do not have web access, we will be happy to mail the newsletter to you. Scriptures for March March 5 1st Sunday in Lent Genesis 3:1-21 Psalm 32:1-7 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 March 12 2nd Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-9 Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-8, John3:1-17 March 19 3 rd Sunday in Lent Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95:1-9 Romans 5:1-8 John 4:5-26(27-30,39-42) March 26 4 th Sunday in Lent Isaiah 42:14-21 Psalm 142 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Peace Lutheran Church 203 Jackrabbit Lane Belgrade, MT Phone: (406) Web Site: LCMC: Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Peace Lutheran Staff Bob Coughlin, Pastor BobCoughlin74@gmail.com Jeff Redlin, Pastor Jeff.Redlin@gmail.com Karlene Swenson, Office PeaceLutheran@Live.com Mike Hansen, Council President 9