Chaska Moravian Church

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Chaska Moravian Church YOU ARE INVITED TO EARLY BIRD SUNDAY SCHOOL! Children ages 3 & up, join us before worship 9am March 4, 18 April 1, 15, 29 May 13, 27 Register now & join in the fun!

Mike Eder Chair Jill Edwardsen Vice Chair Tammy Riesgraf Recording Secretary Katie Nordby Jane Christopher Trustees Phil Schramm Dwight Crisman Kelly Jeremiason Karl Taylor President Secretary A WORD

1 Chaska Moravian Church YOU ARE INVITED TO EARLY BIRD SUNDAY SCHOOL! Children ages 3 & up, join us before worship 9am March 4, 18 April 1, 15, 29 May 13, 27 Register now & join in the fun! Registrations on hallway table. Can you help? We also need volunteers to assist with Sunday School. If you d like to help, sign up on hallway table. CMC Joint Board Board of Elders Rev. Mike Eder Chair Jill Edwardsen Vice Chair Tammy Riesgraf Recording Secretary Katie Nordby Jane Christopher Trustees Phil Schramm Dwight Crisman Kelly Jeremiason Karl Taylor President Secretary A WORD FROM REV. MIKE EDER Not with a Bang, but a Whimper Being raised and baptized in the Chaska Moravian Church, I have childhood memories of Sunday School, summer camp, confirmation and worship in our little wood paneled sanctuary. Fast-forward to August 2003 when I stood behind the pulpit and preached my first sermon here. It was also the first year that I celebrated Christmas Eve from the front of the church instead of the nave. In August 2004, I began preaching here on a once a month rotation, which morphed into twice a month in July of 2005 and eventually three times a month in December, including leading the Christmas Eve worship. I ve presided at every Easter Sunday since 2005 and was installed as your pastor in May Since then, I ve welcomed 4 grandchildren, been ordained a deacon, consecrated as a presbyter, married 28 couples, baptized 36, and buried 112 brothers and sisters. Together, we ve renovated the strip of land between the sanctuary and education wing into a beautiful memorial garden, done energy improvements to lower out heating bills by 1/3, added a handicapped bathroom and two diaper changing stations, remodeled and upgraded the sanctuary twice, provided meeting space to a Girl Scout troop, 12 AA,NA or Alanon groups, a Mom s Club, NAMI, and a family counselor, purchased the Schmidt house and rented out the church basement to become a drop in center for homeless youth. I ve enjoyed some successes in my ministry and survived some flops, but I ve always had the deep sense that I was in the place that I needed to be with the people I needed to be with. Our congregation grew slowly for my first 10 years here, but the last two years, age and decline have begun to take their toll on both our worship attendance and our financial stability. Like many other small protestant churches, slowly, we have slipped below the critical mass of people and resources required to support a full time pastor. The good news is that there continues to be vibrant ministry pouring out of the core of this church and this community is being served in a myriad of ways by the faithful, committed disciples who continue to offer themselves up as the hands and feet and heart of Jesus Christ to an increasingly broken world. As we walk together through this season of introspection and self-examination and recommit ourselves in response to the suffering and self-sacrifice of the one in whose name we gather, we already know the end of the story. The season of Lent does not end in death and darkness and despair, but in the new light of resurrection and victory over the power of death and the standing invitation into the Kingdom for all of us. Our survival, our life and our place on the receiving end of grace is assured. Chaska Moravian Church is transitioning into a home for even more lay lead ministries, more diversity and inclusiveness in worship, more opportunities to explore, grow, and thrive in our faith walks, more opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ within our community. On February 1st the Provincial Elders Conference approved my request to retire from full time ministry in the Moravian Church as of April 30, There is talk that I may be offered a one year appointment to continue to serve the Chaska congregation on a half time basis beginning May 1, 2018, but the Western District has not yet approved such a plan so it would be premature to make that announcement today Stay tuned In His Service, Pastor Mike

CHASKA MORAVIAN WOMEN LOCAL MISSION PROJECT 2018 Answering the call to help others in our community, the Moravian Women s local mission project is providing Birthday Bags to the Chaska Bountiful

Sunday, March 11 10:30am EASTER LILIES The Moravian Women are sponsoring a sale of lilies used to decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. SALE DATES are March 4 March 11 March 18 Cost is $7/plant.

2 CHASKA MORAVIAN WOMEN LOCAL MISSION PROJECT 2018 Answering the call to help others in our community, the Moravian Women s local mission project is providing Birthday Bags to the Chaska Bountiful Basket Food Shelf, for children ages *** You are cordially invited to A Birthday Bag Packing Party! Sunday, March 11 10:30am EASTER LILIES The Moravian Women are sponsoring a sale of lilies used to decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. SALE DATES are March 4 March 11 March 18 Cost is $7/plant. Each plant will have 4-6 blooms. Order your lily in honor of/in memory of a loved one. You may take your lily home with you after church on Easter Sunday. PLANTS NEED TO BE ORDERED AND PAID FOR BY March 18 Make checks payable to: Chaska Moravian Women. After worship In the John Hus Room *** BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES March Birthdays 2 Jessica Moers 8 Joyce Felmlee 8 Jon Knez 11 Paul Christopher 13 Daryl Bren 18 Don West 22 Adam Davis 24 Nick Bonnema 24 Grace Hennen Edrey March Anniversaries 5 Jane and Paul Christopher 24 Deb Hartley and Leslie Reinartz 29 Sheila and Pat Davis Happy Birthday to you, to Jesus be true. May God s richest blessings abide upon you. Lillian Kemkes 2 Thank you to Chris Devore, for sponsoring March s newsletter in memory of Penny & Bill Tarbell You may make a donation of $60.00 to dedicate a monthly newsletter in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Sign up on the hallway table or call the church office.

13 TH ANNUAL EASTER BREAKFAST Serving Moravian Sugar Cake, Eggs, and Fruit April 1, 7:00am- 9:30am Free will donation.

About the Foundation: The Nathan Huisenga Foundation is a non-profit corporation established in his memory for the purpose of enabling recovery school graduates to achieve academic success, and

These scholarships will provide some financial assistance to students continuing their education after high school. The funds for the scholarships come from donations and fundraising efforts.

3 LENT 2018 S AND ANNIVERSARIES During Lent, we ll have a mid-week education series/conversation at 5:30pm, along with sharing a meal together. Sign-up sheets on the hallway table. CALLING ALL MUSICIANS! Join the Easter Band (particularly horns!) and play at the Sunrise Service on April 1. For more information, contact Pastor Mike. 13 TH ANNUAL EASTER BREAKFAST Serving Moravian Sugar Cake, Eggs, and Fruit April 1, 7:00am- 9:30am Free will donation. Sign up to place your order for 8x10 pans of Moravian Sugar Cake to take home with you! About the Foundation: The Nathan Huisenga Foundation is a non-profit corporation established in his memory for the purpose of enabling recovery school graduates to achieve academic success, and thereby positively impacting the community. We recognize the accomplishments of these students and the amount of effort it has taken them to achieve this milestone in their lives. These scholarships will provide some financial assistance to students continuing their education after high school. The funds for the scholarships come from donations and fundraising efforts. The money raised will be applied directly to the scholarships. A portion will be invested to provide additional scholarship funds in the future. THANK YOU! THANK YOU CMC for your generous donations for the Homeless Backpack Project. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ. A big thanks to Katie and the Early Birds for packing the packs, and to Pastor Mike for blessing them. The packs will be a blessing to those in need in our community. Doing small things with great love makes a difference. I John 4:7-8 In Christ's love, Julie Taylor 3 Calendar MORAVIAN WOMEN S NEWS March 12 7:00pm Women s Board March 15 11:30am Birthday Outing March 26 9:30am Women s Bible Study April 9 7:00pm Women s Board April 19 11:30am Birthday Outing April 23 9:30am Women s Bible Study Chaska Moravian Women - Board Terry Rank President Pam Ostman Vice President Norma Schwalbe Secretary Gwen Lenius Treasurer Trudy Papke-Jung Mission Coordinator Floy Dollerschell Outreach Coordinator Sheryl Tellers Service Coordinator Spiritual Life WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY You re invited to Women's Bible Study Monday, March 26 at 9:30am. We meet every 4th Monday each month. Our study will be The Good Samaritan Luke 10: Hope to see you there! THE LINEN CLOSET Chaska Moravian Church s Linen Closet is a ministry that partners with Love INC to provide bedding / linens to our neighbors in need in Eastern Carver County. Please bring new or gently used (clean; no stains or tears) linens to the church office. CAN YOU HELP? We re looking for volunteers to help deliver linens to Love INC clients who lack transportation (usually averages 1 a week, at your convenience). All deliveries are within Eastern Carver County. If you can help, please contact Jen in the church office. Many Thanks!

MEALS ON WHEELS Volunteer to be a driver! (once every 5 weeks) Contact Norma Schwalbe.

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN Volunteer to pack meals at FMSC Tuesday, March 6 at 6:00-7:30pm.

Olberg, Sharon Benson, Terry Rank. Anyone is welcome! Bring a friend! Questions? Please talk to Gwen Lenius.

No appointments (first come, first served).

10:30am at Chaska Heights Senior Building (across from Kohls). Snacks & coffee serviced.

month! Yarn & hoops are furnished. No experience necessary. Questions? Call Janet Nelson at 612-263-6885.

our team to meet, pray with, minister to the incarcerated, please contact Julie Taylor.

4 MEALS ON WHEELS Volunteer to be a driver! (once every 5 weeks) Contact Norma Schwalbe. Our next scheduled dates are March 5-9. FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN Volunteer to pack meals at FMSC Tuesday, March 6 at 6:00-7:30pm. This month s scheduled volunteers are: Gwen Lenius, Norma Schwalbe, Doug Schwalbe, Linda Zimmerman, Chris Devore, Nanette Olberg, Sharon Benson, Terry Rank. Anyone is welcome! Bring a friend! Questions? Please talk to Gwen Lenius. TAX PREP Certified Tax Preparers will be at Chaska Moravian Church each Monday through April 9, 9am- 12:30pm. No appointments (first come, first served). Please bring: a copy of last year s return and all 2016 tax forms received in the mail (W-2s, 1099s, CRP/Property Tax Statement, SSA, etc.) Spring Forward Daylight Savings Time Begins March 11 Set your clocks ahead 1 hour MAD HATTERS Meet us each Tuesday at 10:30am at Chaska Heights Senior Building (across from Kohls). Snacks & coffee serviced. We will do a craft the 1st Tuesday each month, then join us to knit warm winter hats for those in need the rest of the month! Yarn & hoops are furnished. No experience necessary. Questions? Call Janet Nelson at JAIL MINISTRY The Jail Ministry Team will serve at Carver County Jail Saturday at 1pm March 3, 17 If you d like to join our team to meet, pray with, minister to the incarcerated, please contact Julie Taylor. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3 BOUNTIFUL BASKET FOOD OF THE MONTH Place donations in the cart in the John Hus Room. To volunteer or coordinate a food drive call (952) MARCH: BEANS (CANNED/DRY) APRIL: CEREAL For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:35-36 A REMINDER FOR ALL Reminder: If you are conducting business at church outside of office hours, be sure to turn off all the lights and securely lock all doors tightly. Thank you!

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Launch Ministry/Homeless Youth events: please use side door for entry Weekly Meetings: please use back/kitchen door for entry MOW = Meals on

1pm Jail Ministry 4 5 MOW 6 MOW 7 MOW 8 MOW 9 MOW 10 9am Early Bird Sunday School With Holy Communion 7:00pm Chaska Indivisible 6pm Feed My Starving Children 6-9pm N Counsel 5:30pm Lent Worship

N Counsel 5:30pm Lent Worship /Supper 6 pm N - Counsel 6:30pm Joint Bd 1130am Bday Outing @Cy s 6:30pm Cel. Rec.

5 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Launch Ministry/Homeless Youth events: please use side door for entry Weekly Meetings: please use back/kitchen door for entry MOW = Meals on Wheels :30pm Cel. Rec. 1pm Jail Ministry 4 5 MOW 6 MOW 7 MOW 8 MOW 9 MOW 10 9am Early Bird Sunday School With Holy Communion 7:00pm Chaska Indivisible 6pm Feed My Starving Children 6-9pm N Counsel 5:30pm Lent Worship /Supper 6 pm N - Counsel 6:30pm Celebrate Recovery DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS 10:30am Bday Bag Packing 1:15pm Girl Scouts 6:30pm NAMI 7pm Moravian Women s Board 2-9pm Homeless 6-9pm N Counsel 5:30pm Lent Worship /Supper 6 pm N - Counsel 6:30pm Joint Bd 1130am Bday s 6:30pm Cel. Rec. SPRING am Early Bird Sunday School 7:00pm Chaska Indivisible BEGINS 2-9pm Homeless 6-9pm N - Counsel 5:30pm Lent Worship & Supper 6 pm N Counsel 4pm Fare for of Glory 6:30pm Celebrate Recovery MAUNDY 30 GOOD 31 PALM SUNDAY 9:30am Women s Bible Study 6:30pm NAMI 2-9pm Homeless 6-9pm N - Counsel 6 pm N - Counsel THURSDAY 6:30pm Celebrate Recovery 7pm Worship FRIDAY ST. PATRICK S DAY 1pm Jail Ministry GREAT SABBATH

Chaska Moravian Church 115 East 4 th Street Chaska, MN 55318 RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, liberty. In all things, love.

Eder Jennifer Welvaert Tammy Riesgraf Rachel Boucher Alan Taylor Pam Ostman Gwen Lenius Arvin Zwart SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:00am 9:30am 10:30am Holy Communion Sunday

6 Chaska Moravian Church 115 East 4 th Street Chaska, MN RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, liberty. In all things, love. CHURCH STAFF Ministers Pastor Office Administrator Music Coordinator Pianist Guitarist Custodian Offering Treasurer Church Treasurer All Who Serve Jesus Reverend Mike Eder Jennifer Welvaert Tammy Riesgraf Rachel Boucher Alan Taylor Pam Ostman Gwen Lenius Arvin Zwart SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:00am 9:30am 10:30am Holy Communion Sunday School Worship Team Rehearsal Worship Service Fellowship/Refreshments 1 st Sunday/Month 2 Sundays/Month (Sept.-May, 9:00am) office@chaskamoravian.org Phone

Chaska Moravian Church

Chaska Moravian Church A WORD FROM REV. MIKE EDER Welcome to February, the shortest month of the year. In 2018, we are in Lectionary Cycle B, which means our gospel stories come from Mark, the shortest