The Bellringer April 2016

Transcription

1 The Bellringer April 2016 Greetings Zion/Clarion Family, Hallelujah! Christ Is Risen! Christ Is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah! Newness surrounds us. New life is breaking forth in creation. The grass is greening up. We have flowers growing on the south side of the house, 3 different kinds are even blooming; two purple and one white. It is all rather lovely. Buds are swelling on the trees. God is doing NEW things. Some say the auto business is booming with lots of new cars sold in recent months. Some people love that new car smell. We had two cars die this year and have upgraded to cars that are several years newer with fewer miles. Or fleet of 3 now averages only 16 years old and 214,000 miles each. It is great to have newer stuff. Yet these new things are nothing compared to the NEW things God is doing. On Resurrection Sunday we celebrate the empty tomb. Death is no longer in charge. New life has burst forth from the grave. God surprises us with newness. God also wants to put to death those things in our lives that are contrary to his Kingdom. God wants to give us NEW life. What things have you given to God during Lent so he might turn them into NEW life? Now is the time to celebrate the Newness God brings from the tomb and into our lives each day. Have a blessed Easter season celebrating the NEW things God is doing in you and in those around you. Hallelujah! Christ Is Risen! Christ Is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah! Pastor Kevin <>< Our Church Website Can be found on the internet by typing: zionlutheranchurchlamoille/index.html (no spaces) Or type in search box: Zion Lutheran Church LaMoille or Zion Lutheran Clarion To reach Pastor Kevin please call: -the parsonage 815/ the church 815/ or -his cell phone 815/ All PRAISE and PRAYER concerns are welcome. If you wish to no longer to receive Bell Ringer please contact Cara Motter at clarionbellringer@yahoo.com or As a way of Being Green we offer an online version. Mom s Unite Hearts at Home 2016 Conference April 22-23, 2016 Peoria Civic Center Speakers: Missy Robertson, Jill Savage & Meredith Andrews many other speakers in over 20 workshops such as: The God who sees you Understanding the inner lives of men Living clutter free 8 simple tools for raising great kids more details & registration at www. HeartsatHome.org 1

2 Treasurer s Report February Checking Account Beginning Balance 2/01/16 $ 1, February Offerings 7, Transfer from Savings 2, Subtotal $ 10, February Expenses 10, Ending Balance 2/29/16 $ Benevolence Report February Beginning Balance 2/01/16 $ Offerings - February 1, Subtotal $ 1, Expenses: Mendota Food Pantry New Life Africa, Int.-School Mendota Lutheran Home Zion Zebras Ill. Valley P.A.D.S Total Expenses $ 1, Ending Balance 2/29/16 $ 0.00 Barb Donahue, Treasurer Pastor Mike and Peggy Morrell Retirement Party Sun, April 3, :00 4:00pm First United Methodist Church, Mendota light lunch will be served April Birthdays 1 Rick Bauer 2 Colleen Bickett Grace Jackson Jake Jackson Luke Jackson 8 Adam Weeks 10 Zach Geuther Sydney Higgerson 15 Joshua Garcia 16 Rebecca Stamberger 19 Myron Goetz 23 Kade Jackson 24 Nick Larabee 27 Monica Joerger Annabelle Larabee 28 William Stuepfert 30 Noah Lee Baptismal Anniversaries 2 Jim Hamacher 3 Beth Barrera 7 Earl Stuepfert 14 Nigel Geuther Kim Lauer Larry Forristall 17 Garret Geuther 22 Jenica Faber 23 Meredith Stamberger 26 Annette Stamberger Wedding Anniversaries 1 Derrol and Diane Lee From Brad & Susan Rhoads, Mission Aviation Fellowship The Missions Board in the back of the church has their recent newsletter with pictures from recent training events in El Salvador and Nicaragua where pastors received training on the use of technology to share the love of Jesus. This is what Brad plans on doing when they move to Costa Rica later this spring. However, one of the congregations that was supporting them has reduced their funding so now they need an extra $500/month before leaving on April 5 for Costa Rica. Pray that God provides the money in his perfect time. 2

3 Our Council and Adult Sunday School class continues to study the book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive, by Thom S. Rainer. We continue to listen to God to see where we can grow to be the Kingdom of God in this place at this time. God has plans for us, perhaps to do something NEW. Please pray with us as we continue to learn about God s plans for our congregation. These prayers are from the book. Prayerful Commitment 1 -- ability to change God, open my eyes that I might see my church as You see it. Let me see where change needs to take place, even if it is painful to me. And use me, I pray, to be an instrument of that change whatever the cost. Amen. Prayerful Commitment 2 -- be part of solution, not the problem God, please let me be part of the solution and not the problem. Show me what I need to see. Open my eyes to Your reality. And give me the courage to move forward in the direction You desire. Amen. Prayerful Commitment 3 -- not get stuck in the past God, give me the conviction and the courage to be like the heroes of Hebrews 11. Teach me not to hold onto those things in my church that are my personal preferences and styles. Show me not only how to let go, but where to let go, so that I may heed Your commands more closely. Amen. UPCOMING EVENTS: Mar 24 Mar 25 Mar 27 Apr 1-3 Apr 9 April 10 May 22 June 12 June Maundy Thursday, 7:00pm at Baptist Church Good Friday, 7:00pm at Methodist Church Easter Sunrise, 6:30am at Clarion Easter Breakfast at Clarion 9:00 worship at Clarion Quake-Zone, ZEBRAS Gideons share stories of Kingdom growth Sat, 10-3, IL LCMC Gathering, Calvary Lutheran in rural Lee Youth share in worship about their Youth Encounter Quake-Zone Last Day of Sunday School Buffalo Days with Don Shire VBS at Clarion Marriage Renewal Family Life provides dozens of Weekend to Remember events to help couples grow their marriages in the context of Christian love. Cost is $ (slightly higher in some locations) plus hotel and food. This is a great investment in your marriage and is recommended by Pastor Kevin & Sarah. The weekends closer to us are: 2016 Mar Lincolnshire Chicago Apr 29-May 1 Oak Brook -- Chicago May Madison, WI June 3-5 Normal, IL There are several dozen more to choose from if you want an excuse to travel a bit farther. See details at or 3

4 2016 Annual LCMC Pastors and Lay Leadership Gathering, Calvary Lutheran of Lee is looking forward to hosting the 2016 Annual LCMC Pastors and Lay Leadership Gathering, Saturday April 9, 10 am - 3pm. The following is our tentative agenda for the gathering. Agenda 10 am Gather in Sanctuary 10:10 Introductions 10:20 Opening Devotion / Worship 10:40 Rev. Steve Squires 'The Core of Luther's Theology' 11:10 Break 11:20 Rev. John Nelson 'Practical Helps on Stewardship' 11:30 Prayer and Lunch 12:30 Update on LCMC Rev. Martha Nelson 12:45 Joe Drought who is Head of Security at Rock Valley College will lead a Threat Assessment Seminar. Joe has put together Threat Assessment Seminars for groups of Presbyterian leaders and other churches and also businesses. He has a passion for security and safety especially for churches. 2:45 Closing worship with communion 3 pm We depart in peace. Looking forward to seeing you. Hope to see you all! Pastor Craig Nelson Decision America Tour 2016 with Franklin Graham - Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham is planning to host a prayer gathering in each of the 50 states to help and encourage us to pray for our nation in this time of national elections. He will likely travel to Springfield this summer. Victory Baptist Church in Mendota is hosting a time of prayer at 5:00pm on several Mondays through May to pray for our nation. see poster in narthex for more details March 14 & 28 April 11 & 25 May 2, 16 & 23 4

5 Dear Parents, We are inviting all children to be part of the excitement at our Vacation Bible School, LIFT OFF! SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH GOD. With this hot air balloon-themed VBS, your children will become Sky Scouts and learn about the sport of hot air ballooning as well as connect what they learn to reaching new heights with God. The Bible stores presented as High Fly Bible Time illustrate the Flight Plans and encourage further exploration into the Bible. Your children will extend their learnings through every activity: making their own special memories in Pilot Projects, singing fun tunes at Sky Songs, experiencing science activities at the Launch Lab, participating in recreational activities at Rip Line Rec, and enjoying tasty snacks and preparing mission packets at the Cloud Café, where the motto is Serve and Be Served. These are the five Flight Plans for soaring to new heights with God: I Will Follow I Will Trust I Will Listen I Will Repent I Will Serve Come enjoy the high adventure with us at Zion Lutheran Church of Clarion on Sunday, June 19 through Thursday, June 23 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. To register for our hot air balloon adventure or to find out more, call the church office at Registration forms are available at Church or will be in the May & June Bellringers. Sincerely, Parish Education Committee Lilies for Easter Sunday: Don and Christine Liesse in memory of loved ones Ruth Geuther in memory of Lyle Geuther Megan Forristall in memory of Jared Hoke Tim and Susan Stamberger in memory of loved ones Dean Madsen in memory of Betty Madsen Larry and Kathy Forristall in memory of our parents and grandparents Earl and Tammy Stuepfert and sons in memory of Keith & Donna Sterchi and Naomi Stuepfert Roger and Colleen Stamberger in memory of our parents Donna Dearing in memory of my parents Daniel and Piper Deering and sons in memory of Piper's Dad Ray and Carolyn Motter in memory of loved ones Wilbur and Chris Stamberger in memory of loved ones Would like to thank Merritt Funeral Home for our new plant stands. 5

6 Sun., April 3 April Services 2016 Date Greeter Reader Piano Special Acolytes Communion Music Gloria & Carolyn Mason K. Myron Noah L. Brooke M. Sun., April 10 Holy Communion Sun., April 17 Leslie & Cara Tim S. Kristi Collette M. Noah L. Elwin & Ray Christy L. Annette Brooke L. Collette M. Barb D. & Carolyn M. Sun., April 24 Holy Communion Don & Christy Sarah W. Kristi Brooke M. Mady H. Chris & Wilbur S. Sarah W. Christy L. Head Usher: Matt Motter ANNUAL SEWING DAY Our Annual Sewing Day will be on Monday, April 4 th beginning at 8:30 am. We will be constructing clothing protectors for the Mendota Lutheran Home and will also have quilts to tie. Please fix a dish to pass for a pot luck dinner and join us for a fun day of fellowship. Both sewers and non-sewers are welcome to attend. Sewers, please bring your machine, scissors & white or gray thread if you have it; if not I will try to provide the thread. All other supplies will be on hand. Sound System Hearing Assist The new transmitter has been installed. To use the hearing assist: 1. pick up a receiver in the narthex which is pre-tuned to the proper frequency. 2. plug in the appropriate device and 3. turn on the switch to the proper volume. It really is that simple. You have the choice of 3 types of devices to plug into the receiver. ear buds which are placed into the ear canal head set which is worn on the ears and behind the neck those with hearing aids if you have a newer set with a telephone coil in them, which includes most newer hearing aids use a neck loop which is worn around the neck. This loop will transmit to the coil in your hearing aids for a custom sound 6

7 April 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 Worship Service Zebra Quake Zone 10 Worship Service Holy Communion 17 Worship Service 24 Worship Service Holy Communion 4 Sewing Day 8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 5 6 Confirmation 5:30 6:45 p.m Confirmation 5:30 6:45 p.m Confirmation 5:30 6:45 p.m Confirmation 5:30 6:45 p.m. 1 Zebra Quake Zone Zebra Quake Zone 7

8 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church East Street La Moille, Illinois Address Service Requested April