Echo 2.0. Share God s Word, Share His Love, and Do It Now!

Transcription

1 Christ Lutheran Newsletter FEBRUARY 2016 Echo 2.0 Share God s Word, Share His Love, and Do It Now! Christ Lutheran 605 South Fifth Street, Norfolk, NE Growing the Future with Childlike Faith by Rev. Chip Winter The campaign just begun for the capital funding of the Helping Hands Child Care structure is Growing the Future with Childlike Faith. The leaders of this campaign at this time are Campaign Directors: John Robertson and Sarah Boelter; Prayer Directors: Dorothy Wetzler and Deb Kesting; Campaign Coordinator: Deb Kirsch; Communication Directors: Tracee Larson and Karen Petersen; Inform Directors: Gary Jagels and Stephanie Hoff; Youth Emphasis Director: Tammy Schlote; Children s Emphasis Directors: Amanda Hafer, Carey Portwood and Nancy Boche; Initial Commitments Directors: Linda Pohlman and Jami Winter; Commitment Celebration Directors: Judy Allvin and Glenna Gutz; Follow-up Director: Jerome Woockman; and Friends of the Congregation Director: Jerry Holmberg. Others are being recruited and they will be publicized in the weeks to come. The reasons for strengthening this branch of our ministry through a new facility are as follows: Structure the former grocery store used for child care receives grandfather treatment with regularity because the facility cannot meet the codes for new construction. It is more than likely that this will come to a close very quickly. Needs of the community Helping Hands receives, on average, 20 calls a month for infant care. With 16.7% of the population in Norfolk living in poverty there is a 33.8% rate of juvenile arrests (as compared with 22.7% across the state). This coincides with 38.8% of single parent households, which is an apparent result of roughly 40% of new births to single parents. Theology - serving people as God would have them be served. God would have these young children warm, safe, cared for and taught, and brought to know the God Who loves them dearly through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord. Then, too, Whatsoever you did to the least of these my brothers you did to me. Matthew 25:40. The calendar structure with this campaign will move through phases, from Imagine to Inform, from Inspire to Impact. Of these you will hear more in the months to come, as well. The opportunities growing from this could well be a full pre-school leading into the grade school. With that there might be a need for a new gym as well as a new facility to host larger gatherings of students, families and the congregation in a larger and more accommodating fellowship hall how exciting that is! Please keep Growing the Future in your prayers. And please continue to keep your eyes and ears open to hear more about what s coming!

2 Christ Lutheran Congregation News Reflections of Christmas 2015 LifeLine Screening Event Christ Lutheran Church Board of Christian Nurture is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, noninvasive and painless health screenings on 2/25/2016. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take minutes to complete. In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call or visit With the theme Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, the Christmas story was once again told in Scripture and song. Above: Pastor Winter reads the story of Christ s birth from the Gospel of Luke. Below: The Altar was beautifully decorated, thanks to the Altar Guild for their many hours of dedicated service. 2

3 Children s Ministry Christ Lutheran Lisa Moreno, Children s Ministry Coordinator lmoreno@clnorfolkmail.org What Kids Need to Succeed The December Echo briefly previewed the book What Kids Need to Succeed by Peter Benson, Judy Galbraith, and Pamela Espeland. This book summarizes the results of over 3 millions surveys given to youth in the US, and gives proven suggestions which help kids become successful adults and avoid high-risk behaviors. This month, we look at a group of assets which relate to empowerment. 1. To feel empowered, young people need to feel that they are valued in their community especially their faith community and not treated as a separate group. They should be encouraged to participate as ushers, readers, choir members, and other ways they may use their talents, and be recognized for their contributions. 2. Youth should be thought of as a resource. They should be included on committees, where appropriate, and asked for input in faith community decisions. Intergenerational or multi-age events are especially valuable to encourage youth and children. 3. Youth and children should be encouraged to serve the community at least one hour per week. To accomplish this, we can mentor youth in service activities, and tell them about the ways we serve our community. We should recognize youth who do perform service, and create service projects which address issues that concern youth. 4. To feel valued and able to contribute, kids need to feel safe and secure in their environment. This can be achieved by providing supervised and appropriate activities at which kids can interact with each other. Older congregation members can go out of their way to welcome and engage youth as they see them, helping kids to feel like our church is a safe place! There are many ways that we can empower the young people of our congregation and make it a thriving faith community. Challenge yourself to make a difference with one or more of the youth of our congregation this month! The Children s Ministry Report was inadvertently omitted from the State of the Church Annual Report booklet. It is included in this edition of the ECHO 2.0 on page 5. Parents and Twos! Do you have a two year old in your house or know someone who does? We have a wonderful Sunday school class for two-year-olds and their parents! This low-key class offers a chance for parents to get to know each other as they nurture their children s faith. It is a great place to discuss the challenges of parenting and encourage one another. Children enjoy play time, puppets, special games, activities, and crafts just for twoyear-olds, and snacks, while they learn about Jesus s love. Come to room 206 of the school from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning to find this group. Younger siblings are welcome, too! Mission Offerings Since December, students have been collecting offerings for Alaska Mission for Christ. Alaska is a very large state with a diverse population and a challenging climate. The 14 congregations of Alaska reach out with the love of Christ to the far reaches of their state a task that is quite costly! Our mission offerings will help them with special events, such as Vacation Bible School and sports camps, as well as long-term staffing for new communities of faith! Mission offerings are collected on the second and third Sundays of each month. February Children s Ministry Schedule February 7: Sunday School John Prepares the Way (music station and snack station) February 14: Sunday School The Baptism of Jesus (Baptism talk and music station) February 21: Sunday School The Temptation of Jesus (music and skit station) February 28: Sunday School Jesus Calls Philip & Nathanael (music and game/snack station) Save the Date: Sunday, March 20: Sunday school sings for Palm Sunday at 10:45 a.m. service. July 24-28: Vacation Bible School Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sundays at Christ Lutheran School 3

4 Servants of the Savior Christ Lutheran Missionary Distribution from Big Event 2015 by Darlene Davis Over 200 people gathered at Divots for The Big Mission Event in November, sponsored by SOS (Servants of the Savior). We set our sights on serving our Savior by offering prayers and monetary support for missionaries and mission projects. God blessed the generosity of members, sister congregations, and community friends through ticket sales, the silent auction, live auction, and a match from an anonymous donor. The following missionaries and mission projects were supported that evening. Orphan Grain Train brings Mercy Meals to feed the hungry, ships humanitarian aid to children and families, and brings help to those affected by natural disasters in the U.S. and around the world. They were gifted $14, Rev. Mark and Stefanie Rabe and 4 children are going to the fastest growing area for Christianity in the world Ethiopia. Mark will be teaching at Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They are fully funded now with the gift of $6, Rev. Duane and Elizabeth Meissner and 3 children will be planting the very first Lutheran church in Belize, Central America. They are fully funded now with the gift of $11, Rev. Edward and Melissa Hosch and 2 children will be working with outreach for the four new Lutheran churches that have been started in Peru. They are fully funded now with the gift of $6, Rev. Wayne and Linda Braun have been called to be missionaries in Frankfurt, Germany where 2% of the people attend church on Sunday. They are fully funded with $4, Revise Miss Alyssa Anders is a teacher going to Turkey where 99.8% of the people are Muslim. She will be working with a pastor starting the first Lutheran Church. She is fully funded with $4, Rev. Douglas and Angelia Thompson are being called to Ghana in West Africa to teach in our Lutheran Seminary in Accra. They have been gifted with $12, Rev. James and Angela Sharp and 4 children were the first missionary family sent to Uruguay, South America. They needed funding to continue their work in this dark country. They were gifted with $5, Rev. Matthew and Heather Ruesch and 3 children are working in Puerto Rico to plant new churches and support mercy outreach projects around the island. They were gifted with $5, Rev. Peter and Bethany Haugen and 4 children have been called to Macau in Southern China to preach, teach, and touch the lives of Chinese people as they "search" for answers to life. They were gifted with $5, The youth of Christ Lutheran Church are gifted up to $7, for mission projects. The fund for Concordia seminary students in our congregation has been gifted with $7, SOS has been gifted with $7, for immediate missionary projects during the year. SOS thanks all who participated in the Big Mission Event November 15, Between the first Big Event (Christ's birth) and the next Big Event (Christ coming again), we are compelled to tell His story. May God bless the proceeds raised to that end and also bless your giving heart. Confirmation Schedule for Lent There will be no Confirmation classes on Wednesday, February 10, due to Ash Wednesday. Junior High youth are asked to help serve the Lenten meal that evening. In order to give families an opportunity to enjoy the Lenten meals and participate in worship together, Confirmation classes will be held from 5:15-6:00 p.m. on February 17 through March 23. Since the Lenten meals are in the Fellowship Hall, Grade 7 will meet in the chapel and Grades 5-6 will meet in the Committee Room. This is the same schedule that was followed during Advent. Classes will resume their regular time and meeting arrangements on March 30. 4

5 Christ Lutheran Children s Ministry Annual Report By Lisa Moreno Children s Ministry Coordinator Children s ministry once again included Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Kids Fun Nights during Sunday School: After a peak in attendance last year, attendance was down a bit this year during the school year. Summer attendance was up from the previous year. Staff, including teachers, helpers, station leaders, and administration, numbered 55. We again were forced to operate about 4-5 staff members short of a full staff, lacking staff in non-teaching positions, such as greeters, and opening/station leaders. Staff has discussed discontinuing summer Sunday school, as staffing has become quite difficult, but a final decision has not been made. Our Parents and Two s, preschool, and Kindergarten classes continued using the CPH curriculum for their level. Students in grades 1-6 used the Cross Explorations curriculum by CPH. Junior High classes use Grapple by Group Publishing. One staff meeting was held on August 19, and Rally Day was observed on August 23 for parents and students. Participation in worship services occurred on Palm Sunday and our Christmas Service on December 16. The Christmas service featured a children s angel choir of 30 participants, led by Nancy Weber, and actors and readers coached by Sarah Moje. Several students also played hand chimes for this service. and snacks, one for preschool and one for elementary age students. No adult class was offered this year. The Board of Evangelism followed up on visitors to VBS. Meals were once again served just before each evening s session. Approximately 100 adults and youth volunteered, and more provided food for meals and snacks. Our offering was an ingathering of school supplies for the Orphan Grain Train s school kits and over $1000 in cash contributions mostly pocket change - to provide school supplies and scholarships for inner city Lutheran schools! Kids Fun Nights continued this year, to help out parents who attend confirmation with their 7-8 grade children on the second Wednesday of each month. They are open to all children age 3 through grade 6. Each night featured a certain theme, such as Treasure Hunt, Minute to Win It, Board Games, Apples Galore, Pumpkin Fun, and Giving Thanks. Attendance has varied from 12 to 20 children with one month cancelled due to lack of registration. A plea was made for leaders for these events, due to the previous leader now having to attend confirmation. Two adults stepped up to lead. A facebook page called Christ Lutheran Norfolk Sunday School is maintained weekly with information on each week s lesson, as well as events and reminders. Many more resources are also available on the Children s Ministry page of the church s website. Monthly newsletters and a parenting newsletter are also provided to Sunday school students. Many lives were impacted by the mission offerings given by Sunday School Children. The following were our projects, listed chronologically, by quarter: Winter: Mobile Medical Van services in Kyrgyzstan, provided by the Orphan Grain Train. Spring and Summer: Big City Mission Tools for Schools LCMS Mission. Fall: Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Christmas: Ingathering of items for Birthright of Norfolk, and Norfolk Food Pantry. Current mission offering project: Alaska Mission for Christ. Vacation Bible School was held during the evenings of July with the theme of Camp Discovery: Jesus At Work Through Us. 176 children were enrolled and the high attendance for the week was 166. We used both church and school facilities, providing two separate tracks of 4 stations Editor s Note: The Children s Ministry report on this page was inadvertently omitted from the Annual Report booklet. Annual Report Available If you were unable to attend the Annual Soup/Chili Cookoff and Voters Assembly held on January 17, but would still like to obtain a State of the Church Report, please contact the Church Office for your copy. The State of the Church Report contains messages from all of the various ministry boards and staff members concerning events of the past fiscal year and goals for the upcoming months. 5

6 Christ Lutheran Voters Review Cold Weather Doesn t Keep Members Home By Judy Bohn, Business Manager Sunday, January 17, 2016 was one of the coldest days this winter, but warmth was found by members in the Christ Lutheran School Gym as they attended the Senior High Youth Soup/Chili Cook-off and the semi-annual Voters Meeting. There were 22 different soups entered in the cook-off for participants to taste and judge. Relish, crackers, drinks and desserts were provided by the youth to complete the luncheon. For the third year in a row, Jennifer Bazyn won the award for the Best Soup with her Cheesy Potato Soup. Sheri Mickelson was voted to have the best Chili. Chili with the Biggest Kick was made by Chad Hogendorn. Chicken Noodle soup made by Kim Taylor won 2 awards I m Calling You When I m Sick Soup and the Picky Eater Most Kid Friendly Soup. The Most Unusual Ingredient award went to Eunice Brandt for her Sauerkraut Beef Soup. Nila Wanke was awarded Don t Judge a Book by its Cover for the most surprising soup of Stuffed Pepper Bisque Soup. The aroma of hot, tasty soups and the buzz of warm conversation filled the gym during the Annual Meeting event. The Senior High Youth thanks everyone for their participation, especially those who made soups & chili. The youth raised $1,239 for future activities like the National Youth Gathering. At 12:45 p.m. Church President Danelle McKeown called the Voters Meeting to order. Voters then approved the June minutes and McKeown presented the State of the Church Report to the Voters. Voters also granted a peaceful release to Susan Warneke from her call at Christ Lutheran as Music Director, and approved nominating Rev. Russell Sommerfeld for Regional Vice-President of the Great Plains Region at the synodical convention. The next 3 items on the agenda dealt with a new building for Helping Hands Child Care. John Robertson of the Building Committee presented a preliminary building concept for a new facility and explained how the Building Committee had arrived at this concept and where it would be located on campus. Voters approved the concept by written ballot. Building Committee representative John Robertson presents the proposal as President Danelle McKeown listens. Robertson then explained that the Building Committee initially contacted 3 design build firms after the June voters meeting where the voters asked the Committee to move in that direction. Of the 3 firms contacted, 2 made preliminary presentations to the Building Committee. As the Committee progressed further, one of the two firms withdrew their name from the process, which left only BC Builders, Inc. of Battle Creek presenting a bid. Voters were given a detail of the estimated $ 1.2 million total cost with a commitment from BC Builders, Inc. that the building costs would not exceed $ 825,000 for a building estimated to be 6,700 square feet and construction could begin this spring. Discussion and questions followed, with a motion to approve the contract with BC Builders, Inc. passing by written ballot. The last item related to the Helping Hands Child Care Building, was to receive voters approval to apply for grants for the building. Child Care Director Chad Bryant explained that grants are available but before the application process could begin the Congregation needed to approve the project and approve applying for the grants. Motion was made to approve applying for grants and passed by written ballot. The meeting was adjourned by President McKeown and closed with prayer by Pastor Winter. 6

7 Christ Lutheran Conceptual Drawing of New Helping Hands Child Care Building Conceptual drawing only not final project drawing 7

8 Christ Lutheran Youth Sarah Moje, Youth Director NYG Participants Host Booster Meal February 14 All NYG participants will host members of our congregation at a Bayou Boosters Dinner on Sunday, February 14 immediately following the 10:45 a.m. service. All members who are interested in learning a little bit more about our upcoming trip to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering are invited to attend. We will treat them to a taste of New Orleans cuisine and share information about New Orleans, past youth gatherings, and our trip plans. NYG Update A reminder to all Senior High Youth attending the National Youth Gathering your February payment of $50 is due now. Please stop by the church office to bring your account up-to-date. Senior High Lenten Meal Senior High Youth will be serving soup, bread, relishes, and dessert for the Lenten meal on Wednesday, March 2. Senior high youth are asked to help set up, serve, and clean up the meal. Serving begins at 5:00 p.m. An will be sent to sign up for donations and work schedules. Junior High Bowling Junior High Youth will be bowling on Sunday, February 7! We will meet at King s Lanes from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Bring $4 to cover the cost of bowling. You may also want to bring additional money to purchase snacks at the bowling alley concessions. Ash Wednesday Lenten Meal Jr. High Junior High Youth will be serving lasagna, garlic bread, relishes, and bars for the Lenten meal on Wednesday, February 10. There will not be confirmation classes that evening, however, junior high students are asked to help set up, serve, and clean up the meal. Serving begins at 5:00 p.m. An to sign up for donations and work schedules was sent to parents. If you did not receive this , please call the church office. Youth Director Sarah Moje explains some of the upcoming opportunities for youth at Christ Lutheran during the Annual Meeting. Senior High Youth serve congregation members at the Soup & Chili Cook-Off. Upcoming Dates Sun., Feb. 7 9:30 a.m. Sr. High Bible Study in Youth Rooms Jr. High Sunday School in Room 126 Sun., Feb. 7 2:00 4:00 p.m. Jr. High Bowling at King s Lanes Wed., Feb. 10 5:00 p.m. Jr. High serve Lenten Meal Sun., Feb. 14 9:30 a.m. Sr. High Bible Study in Youth Rooms Jr. High Sunday School in Room 126 Sun., Feb :45 a.m. NYG Participants set up, serve & clean up the NYG Booster Meal Sun., Feb. 21 9:30 a.m. Sr. High Assist with Sunday School Jr. High Sunday School in Room 126 Sun., Feb. 28 9:30 a.m. Sr. High Bible Study in Youth Rooms Jr. High Sunday School in Room 126 Wed., Mar. 2 5:00 p.m. Sr. High serve Lenten Meal 8

9 Christ Lutheran Pastor s Ponderings Rev. Chip Winter, Director of Ministry - cwinter@clnorfolkmail.org The Timing and Theme of Lent Lent, the preparatory season for the celebration of Easter, begins with Ash Wednesday on the tenth day of February this year. In the western church the celebration of the feast of the Resurrection of Christ Jesus (Easter) is figured each year in a way that keeps it close to the Jewish observation of Passover, the celebration that had brought Jesus to Jerusalem for that fateful Holy Week. The reason this needs to be figured each year is that Passover is determined by a lunar calendar (28 days/month) while Easter is posited in a solar calendar ( 30 days has September, April, June and November, all the rest ). So, as the figuring goes, Easter is on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. That means Easter is March 27, In the season leading up to Easter, Lent, Christ Lutheran will be worshipping midweek (both at Noon:15 and 6:30) following The Parables of Lent as a theme. Each service includes Scripture, a sermon and hymns drawing on the theme to help us remember that we receive justification only in Christ. (Please find information about the suppers preceding the evening worship elsewhere on this page). Here are the parables to be considered through the season and on into Holy Week: March 9 - Receive Grace: The Workers in the Vineyard. This week the message is based on the parable where we hear about all the workers in a vineyard being given the same pay from the master, no matter how long they have labored. From this parable we remember that all who have been called by the Master are blessed by the same reward in Christ. March 16 - Receive Forgiveness: The Prodigal Son. Hear about a wayward son who returns to the forgiving embrace of his father, who welcomes him home. This parable helps us to remember that we who have strayed can return again and again to the embrace of our Father, through the sacrifice of His Son. Complete details on the Holy Week Services will be published in the March edition of Echo 2.0. Palm Sunday, March 20 - Receive Love: The Lost Sheep. Maundy Thursday, March 24 - Receive the Meal: The Great Banquet. Good Friday, March 25 - Landowner and the Tenants. Receive the Sacrifice: the Easter Sunday, March 27 - Receive Eternal Life. Ash Wednesday, February 10 - Receive Justification: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. In this parable, the tax collector who repents goes home justified, while the proud Pharisee does not. The parable reminds us that we, too, who repent are justified through Christ. February 17 - Receive the Word: The Sower and the Seed. The seed that falls on fertile soil takes root and grows, while seeds in other soils fail. When we are open to receiving the Word, the Word of Christ flourishes within us. February 24 - Receive the Treasure: The Hidden Treasure and the Priceless Pearl. This parable is about two men who give all that they have to buy objects of great worth. We who are priceless to Christ receive him who gave all that He had to call us His own. March 2 - Receive Mercy: the Good Samaritan. A man beaten on the road gets help from an unlikely traveler. We remember that we who are often beaten down along the road of life encounter the healing of Christ through the cross. 9 Lenten Meal Sponsors In conjunction with the Wednesday midweek Lenten services (6:30 p.m.), meals will be served in the Fellowship Hall by various groups from 5:00-6:15 p.m. Below is a list of the meal sponsors, and if known, the menu for the evening (subject to change). Freewill offerings will be taken at each meal to help support various ministries of the church and these organizations. February 10 Junior High Youth; Lasagna, relish, bars and beverage. February 17 CLS teachers; potato bar, dessert and beverage. February 24 Priscillas; pulled pork sandwiches, scalloped potatoes, salads, dessert bars, and beverage. March 2 Senior High Youth; award winning chili and soup, relish, homemade pie and beverage. March 9 Helping Hands Child Care; taco bar, dessert and beverage. March 16 Ladies Circle/Christian Nurture; scalloped potatoes, sliced ham, green beans, bars and beverage.

10 Christ Lutheran Membership Roll Call Starla Landkamer Roster Changes Transfer In: Joyce Baumert, Golden Living Center, 1900 Vicki Lane, Norfolk; from St. Paul Lutheran, Wisner. Transfer Out: Marge (Voecks) Wilke, 410 Skyview Circle, Norfolk; to Grace Lutheran, Norfolk. Rev. Leon and Terri Rosenthal, 2900 Mach I Drive, Norfolk; to Grace Lutheran, Norfolk. Becky Wacker and Morgan, 404 North Victory Road, Norfolk; to Our Savior Lutheran, Norfolk. Brittney Means, 907 Syracuse Avenue, #5, Norfolk; to Grace Lutheran, Norfolk. Crista Latimer, Camden Avenue, Omaha; to Beautiful Savior, Omaha. Jim and Louise Kruger, Madison; to Trinity Lutheran, Madison. Baptized into God s Family: Kate Louise Kratochvil, daughter of Ben and Marcy Kratochvil; born November 20, 2015, baptized January 10, Sponsors are Bret and Angela Kratochvil. Karli Eternity Kralik, daughter of Bill and Kandi Kralik; born November , baptized January 17, Sponsors are Jeanie and Gary Lorenzen and Doug and Lisa Ludden. Celebrating Birthday Blessings: 1: Donna Eckert 4: Willard Vyhlidal 7: Carl Mellor, Duane Zautke 11: Gladys Meisinger 14: Mervonne Doebke 16: Bill Bethards 20: Don Walker 23: Ilene Schmidt 24: Lois Miller, Russ Sila 25: Gaynel Hofmann 26: Vernon Miller 28: Dee Jenkins Moved from One House to Another: Justin and Debbie Webb, 1403 Elm Avenue, Norfolk Clete Hjorth, 452 North 9 th Street, Oskaloosa, IA Caleb Svoboda, 321 E. 7 th Street, Minden, NE Ryan Henrickson, 411 South 127 th Street, Omaha, NE Mr. & Mrs. Don Cherington, c/o P.O. Box 111, Battle Creek, NE Tim Grashorn, 1619 W. Berry Hill Drive, Norfolk Resolution or Renewal Did you make a New Year s Resolution? Or, have you given up on doing that? Do you become discouraged, give up, tired of faltering from past New Year s Resolutions not achieved? Perhaps, rather than a Resolution, a New Year Renewal would be more appropriate. A Renewal a clean slate, a fresh start if you will. A time to pray about what the Lord wants to do in your life and how you can work with Him to grow in that area. Each year God shows me a problem I need to overcome, or something about how I live my daily life that needs to change so that I can keep Christ as my central focus and the one most important thing in my life. Howard Baker, in his book, The One Thing, sites three wellknown individuals from the Bible that can inspire us to live with singular devotion to the Lord: David: In the midst of his painful and frightening desert trials over about ten years in which he was horribly mistreated and nearly killed, he prayed, One thing I ask, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life My heart says of you, Seek his face! (Psalm 27:4, 8). Mary: She set aside her kitchen work to sit at Jesus feet and listen to Him and she received His affirmation: There are many things that can be worried about, but only one thing is needed it is the best thing and Mary has chosen it! (Luke 10:41-42 paraphased). Paul: He counted his many accomplishments and blessings as rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). He expressed his life ambition, One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). What will you seek this year? Will you simply settle for a failed Resolution, or will you rejoice in a New Year s Renewal focused on our Lord Jesus Christ?

11 Preschool Happenings Christ Lutheran Top left: Many thanks to Linda Baumann who has been helping preschoolers paint Teddy Bear Convention t-shirts for over 25 years! Top right: Preschoolers painted t-shirts to wear at the Teddy Bear Convention in January. Lower left: Preschoolers pretend to be penguins by holding a beanbag between their knees while they walk. Lower right: The preschool penguins. Kindergarten Open House Dates Thursday, January 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 9 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. You are welcome to bring your child and visit the classrooms, get to know the teachers and ask questions about our school. 11 Can You Picture Your Child in One of These Photos? Preschool Registration Still Available Call the school office at or visit the website at for registration information. There are limited spaces available in our two, three and five day programs. Check out the back of this month s Echo 2.0 calendar for the highlights of Preschool Teddy Bear Convention held on Thursday, January 21. Fun things and enjoyable learning experiences are always happening in preschool.

12 Christ Lutheran FEBRUARY 2016 Printing Costs for This Month s Echo 2.0 Paid for by Donations from These Sponsors Abbey Christian Store Bev Mauch, Coldwell Banker Dover Realtors Norfolk Implement Dr. Dan Blomenberg Eye Physicians PC Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust Dinkel Implement Dr. Leon Gebhardt Freudenburg & Associates LLC Stahla Homes & RV Taylor Creek Physical Therapy Jerry s Trailers & Campers U-Save Pharmacy Randy Oertwich, United Farm and Ranch Management Bradley J. Krivohlavek, DDS, PC Drs. Brad Krivohlavek & Jenna Hatfield Christ Lutheran Church 605 South Fifth Street Norfolk, NE phone fax School 511 South Fifth Street phone fax Helping Hands Childcare 400 West Pasewalk Ave. (Corner of Fourth Street & Pasewalk Ave.) phone Next ECHO 2.0 deadline is February 9, 2016 Send items to echo2@clnorfolkmail.org