School Newsletter WELS News

Transcription

1 March 2016 St. Mark Church and Special points of interest: School Newsletter WELS News The Galloping Mustang What Grace Is This! What grace is this! My Lord and King Has set his face to suffering. My God eternal dies to bring Eternal life to me. Inside this issue: What Grace Is This! 1 This We Believe/ Through My Bible in 3 years 2 What grace is this! That very God Would stoop to lift a cross of wood And walk a road of rock and blood, A sinner's road for me. (CWS 715:1-2) Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. There should be nothing to cause him pain. Yet he chooses, determines to carry a heavy cross, to walk a path of harshness and woe, to spill his blood. This is God himself who makes himself a sinner. This is the Eternal One who is going to die...for me. What grace is this! This Month in God s Word/ Birthdays 3 What grace is this! Though Lord of all, He yields to Pontus Pilate's law And lets the Roman hammers draw A rush of blood for me. WELS News 4 The Galloping Mustang NELHS NEWS 7 CAMM 8 March Calendar 2016 March Duties What grace is this! Rude agonies! With common thieves he hands and bleeds. The sinless Son bears each misdeed. He pays for all, for me (CWS 715:3-4) He could easily have dismissed the soldiers around him. He could have easily put Pilate in his place. He could have walked away from all the suffering. But he didn't. Instead he is executed like a felon. Instead allows his hands and feet to be pierced. Instead he bears each and every last sin that has ever been committed...for me. What grace is this! What grace is this! Once wrapped in cloths And gently laid in manger trough He's taken, dead, from wretched cross And wrapped again for me. What grace is this! How can it be? He wears this raw humility To lift me to eternity. Such grace sweet grace for me. (CWS 715:5-6) How innocent it all seemed when he was born. When we saw him in the manger it was a much more pleasant sight. Now that life is ended, wrapped in burial clothes. He is made to be so humble, next to nothing in the eyes of the world. He is brought so low, that he would lift me so high. This is love so undeserved, yet it is for me. What grace is this!

2 This We Believe: Justification by Grace Through Faith We believe that faith in Jesus Christ always leads a believer to produce works that are pleasing to God. Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17). As a branch in Christ the vine, a Christian produces good fruit. (John15:5). Q: A: How do we avoid thinking that good works are necessary for salvation if we say that faith always leads a believer to produce works that are pleasing to God? Why does a fruit tree produce fruit? In order to make itself a fruit tree? No. It produces fruit because it is a fruit tree. In fact, if a fruit tree is not producing fruit, it is either dead or dying. So it is with Christians and their fruits of faith. As Jesus said, I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit (John 15:5). Because believers are connected to Jesus, they are alive to salvation. As those who are now spiritually alive, it isn t that we believers might bear much fruit nor is it that we must bear much fruit. Jesus promises that every believer attached to him as the vine will bear much fruit. Such promises of God lead us to say that faith always leads a believer to produce works that are pleasing to God. The power of the Spirit through the gospel produces faith that shows itself to be alive. A faith that is not living is no real faith, Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17). This does not mean that works earn salvation, but fruits of faith are the natural visible evidence that a believer already possesses life and salvation in Jesus. Through my Bible in 3 years This Bible reading series is designed to take only a few minutes each day. If you haven t started in January, that s okay. Feel free to jump in and start in the middle of a year. This same Bible reading structure is found in the Northwestern Lutheran. To help you through your Bible study, consider this anecdote: Peter the Barber once asked Martin Luther how he, an ordinary kind of guy, could read the Bible with profit. Luther answered: 1.What does God tell me here? 2.What makes me glad? 3.What makes me sad? 4.What do I want to pray for: Try it in your Bible reading! March 1. Hebrews 10: Heb. 10: Heb. 11: Heb. 11: Heb. 12: Heb. 12: Heb. 13: Heb. 13: Numbers 1, Num. 3, Num. 5:1-6: Num. 6:22-7: Num. 8:1-9: Num. 9:15-10: Num Num. 13:1-14:10a 17. Num. 14:10b Num Num. 16: Num. 16:36-18:7 21. Num. 18:8-19: Num Num Num Num. 23, Num. 25, Num. 27, Num. 28, Num Num Num. 32 Page 2

3 This Month in God s Word March 2 Midweek Lenten Service Passion History Luke 22:54-71 March 6 Lent 4 Bible Readings: Isaiah 12:1-6; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Luke 15: 1-3,11b-32 Bible Class Call Meeting March Birthdays 3 Preston Riegsecker 10 Grant Mackenzie 11 Dale Dinges 11 Rose Jamison 12 Nathan Zielinski 16 Carmen Wiles March 9 Midweek Lenten Service Passion History - Luke 23:1-25 Sermon Text - Luke 23:6-12 March 13 Lent 5 Readings: Isaiah 43:16-24; Philippians 3:8-14; Luke 20:9-19 Bible Class Strange Bible Stories March 16 Midweek Lenten Service Passion History - Luke 23:26-56 Sermon Text - John 11:45-53 March 20 Palm Sunday Readings: Isaiah 45:22-25; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-40 Bible Class Strange Bible Stories 17 Kaelyn Schroeder 19 Emersyn Meyer 20 Eric Richert 24 Amanda Nelson 25 Rachel Schliewe 26 Jami Marker 27 Mark Schwede 27 Ivan Stamps 30 Laura Drews 31 Marcia Gartzke 31 Bryson Steinbach March 24 Maundy Thursday Readings: Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Luke 22:7-20 A Happy and Blessed Birthday to you All! March 25 Good Friday Readings: Isaiah 53; Hebrews 4:14-16;5:7-9; John 19:17-30 March 27 Easter Readings: Exodus 15:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 24:1-12 Page 3

4 Update on WELS Hymnal Project released The WELS Hymnal Project recently released a comprehensive update on its work of producing a new hymnal. It s the first indication from each committee as far as where they are heading on the key issues that each of them faces, says Rev. Jonathan Bauer, chairman of the WELS Hymnal Project Communications Committee. It says here is where we are going and here are some of the decisions that we made already that will guide the selection of materials that we will use going forward. The full report can be found online; it will also be posted section by section over the upcoming weeks on the WELS Hymnal Project s blog. Feedback is encouraged. The 2011 synod convention adopted the long-range goal of producing a new hymnal by the 500th anniversary of the first Lutheran hymnal in Rev. Michael Schultz began his work as the project s director in More than 60 volunteers pastors, teachers, and laypeople form seven different committees in the WELS Hymnal Project that focus on the following areas: hymns, psalms, rites, occasional services, Scripture, technology, and communication. Bauer says that already by this fall some materials will be ready for field testing. By early May at the latest, we ll start enlisting different congregations to participate in different ways, he says. They will have a chance to see some of the materials and the direction that we re heading and then be able to provide us with feedback on it. According to Bauer, the WELS Hymnal Project is looking at a release date for the new hymnal in the early 2020s. Learn more about the WELS Hymnal Project at God s blessings on Congregation Mission Offerings God s blessings on Congregation Mission Offerings Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) for 2015 were $21.5 million, an increase of 1.1 percent over the prior year and an all-time record high. Actual offerings were 2.9 percent higher than what congregations had indicated in their subscriptions. This marks the fourth year in a row that actual offerings were more than congregational subscriptions. We thank God for these blessings. CMO subscriptions for 2016 show a decrease of 1.8 percent from 2015 actual receipts. No reductions in ministry are necessary, however, because of the higher than anticipated offerings in The One in Christ debt retirement effort continues to be blessed. Gifts toward debt retirement have now surpassed $1.6 million. Many congregations are still in the process of gathering the offering, and the Ministry of Christian Giving will continue to communicate the importance of the offering until it comes to a close in June We continue to be optimistic that the offering, coupled with our ongoing payments from the budget, will completely eliminate the $4.7 million debt. Individuals and congregations that have not yet participated are encouraged to do so in the coming weeks and months. Additional envelopes and information are available from the Ministry of Christian Giving. Page 4

5 March St. Mark Lutheran School The Galloping Mustang Mark Your Calendars: St. Mark Science Camp: The Seasons of Our Lord May 31st-June 3rd, 2016 Birdwatching in the Park On Saturday, March 12th, Mr. Drews will be leading a birdwatching walk at the Pioneers Park Nature Center. The walk will start around 9:00 a.m. What you need is a good pair of shoes, a water bottle, and even a field guide to birds and binoculars if you have them! Spring Migration is just around the corner. Come out and enjoy the gift of birds in God's creation. From the Principal s Desk Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde, which means green table in Spanish, is visible for many miles as it rises abruptly out of the southwestern Colorado landscape. The park is known for more than 800 cliff dwellings found on the south side of the mesa which is honeycombed with many canyons. You can drive on two self-guided loops along Ruins Road, leading to the canyon rim viewing points where you look down on several scenic cliff dwellings. Here you might imagine stepping into the past as you learn how the ancient Native Americans shaped pottery, wove cloth, and used crude tools to till the soil. The entire array of cliff dwellings is the most well preserved in the United States. The Native Americans who built these dwellings settle here in the first century. Mesa Verde National Park is the only national park set aside to preserve archaeological treasures. As you and your family spend time in Mesa Verde National Park, you can relive the past. You will think about what kind of people lived here, how they survived in these humble dwellings, and what caused them to leave. In Deuteronomy 4:32 and 35, Moses is speaking to the Children of Israel. In these verses, Moses asks them to think about the past even to the time of Creation. He asks them if there ever was a greater thing than God s leading his Children out of Egypt and taking care of them in the wilderness. God lead and took care of the Children of Israel to show them he is the only true God. It s good for us to think of past events in our own lives. As we do so, we discover that God has led us, cared for us, and has been with us through good days and trials. Perhaps we have not experienced an event as notable as the Children of Israel did in the journey from Egypt, but we still see the caring hand of God as he provides for all of our needs so we can live for him. Truly we have much to be thankful for as we think of our past. The greatest event in all of history was when God won salvation for all people by giving his Son, Jesus our Lord, to die on the cross and rise again. Page 5

6 The Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hit Preview Here is a preview: Three thousand years ago, a shepherd boy faced an overwhelming enemy on the battlefield. He was armed with a sling, a staff, and a courageous faith in God. No one believed that this young lad would stand a chance against this nine-foot, giant-of-aman named Goliath. In this fan-favorite lesson from God s Word, this example of faith still rings true for children of all ages including adults. Though we may tremble in our weaknesses of doubt and trust, there is no darkness that God cannot overcome. Come out and see David take down Goliath! The only performance will be on: Friday, April 15th, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. The Cast David: King Saul: Princess Michal: Eliab: Commander: Sentry 1: Sentry 2: Shield Bearer: Goliath: The Israelites: The Philistines: Silas Vogel Will Costin Makena Colson Jonathan Alvarez-Fred Myles Howard Atticus Bergen Isaac Beiermann Molly Wilkinson Pastor Vogel Martha Costin Haley West Isabella Vogel Josiah Rabe Bethany Fox Ellen Merklinger Melody Tustin Samson Daharsh Bailey Krueger Patricia Merklinger Rose Jamison Robert Merklinger Genevieve Schmidt Kaiah Colson Joseph Murphy Nolan Howard Koen Krueger Troy Fox This event is done in cooperation with Thrivent Financial Action Teams. Page 6

7 Sports update: Nebraska Lutheran Girl s basketball won their 3 rd conference championship in 4 years on Saturday, January 31. Boy s basketball finished the season with a record of Girl s basketball finished the season with a record of Soccer and Track are scheduled to begin practices on March 7. The Knights of the Round Table continues to actively get out among our congregations. In February alone, the choir traveled to Gethsemane, Omaha; St. Mark s, Salina; and Messiah, Wichita. Pastor Haakenson has returned the call to teach at Divine Savior Lutheran Academy and will continue his work at NELHS. Praise the Lord! A new club has started at Nebraska Lutheran. The name of the club is the Future Health Professionals Club. The club is led by Dr. Twila Fickel and is geared to give students monthly opportunities to explore interest in the medical professions. 1 new student joined us in February. We now are blessed with 90 students enrolled. The speech team will have their conference competition at NELHS on Tuesday, March 8. Their district competition will be Loup City on Tuesday, March 15. We are hoping for big things from our speech teams at both competitions. Knight Out invitations have been sent out. The date for this event is March 12. We look forward to seeing many of you attend this night of fellowship and fundraising at Mahoney State Park. Go to our website at to find out more information about this awesome evening. Please register by March 1. The bi-annual association meeting will be on Sunday, March 13, at 4 pm at NELHS. The delegates will hear reports on every aspect concerning the ministry at NELHS. Action items for the delegates include approving the budget for and also considering the addition of a Mission Advancement Director to the ministry at NELHS. This year the musical will be Once upon a Mattress, which is a humorous remake of the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. The grade school performance will be on April 7, and the public performances will be on April 8 and April 10. Our goal is 40 new students for next year. So far 23 have applied (21 freshmen and 2 sophomores). There are many families that continue to show a strong interest in our school but have not yet enrolled. If you know of a family whom we can contact to tell about our ministry, please let Administrator Mark Otte know. He can be reached at motte@nelhs.org or Please pray for this goal. Page 7

8 Page 8

9 St. Mark Lutheran Church 3930 S. 19th Street, Lincoln, NE (402) March 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 8:00 am & 10:30 am Worship with Lord s Supper 9:20 am Special Voters Meeting & Sunday School 13 8:00 am & 10:30 am Worship Service 9:20 am Bible Class & Sunday School 20 8:00 am & 10:30 am Worship with Lord s Supper 9:20 am Bible Class & Sunday School 2:00 pm Kindergarten Roundup 27 7:00 am & 10:00 am Easter Service Breakfast 8:00 am 9:30 am 7 7:00 pm Worship with Lord s Supper 14 7:00 pm Worship Service No School 21 7:00 pm Worship with Lord s Supper 28 No Worship Service No School 1 2 8:30 am Children s Devotion 7:00 pm Lenten Worship Service Catechism 6:30 pm Choir 8 6:30 pm Council Meeting No School 9 8:30 am Children s Devotion 7:00 pm Lenten Worship Service Catechism 6:30 pm Choir :30 am Children s Devotion 7:00 pm Lenten Worship Service 6:30 pm Choir 3 6:30 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Ladies Aid 7:00 pm BIC 10 6:30 am Bible Study 7:00 pm BIC 17 6:30 am Bible Study 7:00 pm BIC :00 pm Maundy Thursday :00 pm Catechism 31 6:30 am Bible Study 7:00 pm BIC Children s Devotion is on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am. Anyone who would like to join us is always welcome. 4 Sunday Snow Removal: Paul Dinges 11 Sunday Snow Removal: Larry Hans 18 Sunday Snow Removal: Bill Marker 25 Sunday Snow Removal: James Mullen 7:00 pm Good Friday No School April 1, 2016 Sunday Snow Removal: Gary Mundt Pastor Joel Vogel (740) joel.vogel@stmarklincoln.org 5 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 Schmidt Sec. 2 Timblin Sec. 3 G. Stamps 12 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 Soyk Sec. 2 S. Stamps Sec. 3 Theiler \ 19 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 Vogel Sec. 2 Van Egmond Sec. 3 Tustin 26 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 Wilkinson Sec. 2 Wathor Sec. 3 Easter Setup April 2, 2016 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 Wiles Sec. 2 Tustin Sec. 3 Workentine Page 9

10 Elders St. Mark Church & School: (402) S. 19th Street, Lincoln, NE Officer Family Nurture: Blake Baumann President: Larry Hans Adult Nurture: Bryan Hodges Vice President: Mark Schwede Outreach: Tyson Martin Secretary: Tim Hans Support: Ben Schroeder School: Curt Jamison Church Staff Worship: James Mullen Pastor Joel Vogel Teacher: Jeremiah Drews Teacher: Eva Van Egmond Secretary Carolyn Schwede March Duties Greeters: Bill & Valerie Ellsworth (E), Lisa Duffield, Lori Meyer (L) Ushers: Rainer Gartzke, Bill Marker (E), Brian Wiles, Trevor Wiles (L) Bulletin Folders: Tracy Jamison Finance Committee: Carol Hans Communion Ware Cleaners:1 st Curt Jamison (E), Elder (L), Shut Ins: Dorothy Burianek 3 rd Amanda Krushenisky (E) Elder (L) St. Mark Sunday School Teachers Pre School: Marlys Parde Lower grades: 1 & 2 Mandy Krushenisky / Susan & Katey Rehm Middle grades: 3 & 4 Mel Soyk Upper grades: Jean Riegsecker Page 10