Letter from the pastor

Transcription

1 Letter from the pastor My Lenten Bible study this year will be on Mary the Mother of Jesus. There is a lot more to Mary than Christmas. We will read the scriptures, watch videos on her life, look at famous art work and listen to music about Mary. The lessons will include some devotional writings about Mary. We will meet on Wednesday nights February 10 thru March 23rd from 6 to 7 pm in the church library. Everyone is invited. If you can not make all the classes, please come when you can. The discussion about Mary will be interesting. Someone might ask why study Mary during Lent? Because Mary is at the cross when Jesus dies, and she celebrates Pentecost after Easter. As I said, there is more to Mary than Christmas. Following the details of her life will give us a new perspective of Lent. Class one will introduce the 6 Marys of the New Testament. This will help us keep them all straight. We will look at her genealogy, learn from the prophecies and think about the annunciation. Class two will study the meaning of the virgin birth, review the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and consider the gifts of the wise men. Class three will consider the infancy of Jesus at the temple and their escape to Egypt. We will think about where they stayed in Egypt and its meaning of overcoming the hardships of life. Class four will study the famous episode of the 12 year old Jesus being left at the temple and the parenting skills of Mary. Class five will study the wedding at Cana and when Mary visits Jesus during his preaching ministry. Mary encouraged Jesus in his ministry. Class six will think about Mary at the cross and the implications of Easter for Mary. Famous art work will include Michelangelo s Pieta the statue of Mary holding Jesus. Class seven will study Mary on Pentecost, Mary in Heaven and modern visions of Mary. Catholics venerate Mary while Protestants do not. What is the place of Mary in our lives? During the classes we will consider interesting questions like Why is Mary often portrayed wearing blue? There are many movies that portray Mary. To think about the different ways she is portrayed helps us to understand the meaning of her life. We will listen to music about Mary and consider the meaning of artwork depicting her life. I hope that you will find this Bible Study interesting and that we can learn from Mary about our own faith journey as we grow in our love of the Lord. We will make use of the December, 2015 National Geographic magazine that features Mary, the most powerful woman in the world. Why is Mary so powerful today? There is also a recent Life magazine entirely on the influence of Mary in our modern world. Your questions and comments will be helpful. My interest in Mary goes back to my 2 trips to Israel where we visited many shrines to Mary. The church in Nazareth where the angel Gabriel made the announcement to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus comes to mind. As Gabriel said, Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. (Luke 1:28). Your Pastor, Rev. Clint Patterson

2 Pray for those who are serving our Nation s defense: Todd Livingston with the U.S. Air Force at Ellsworth A.F.B., South Dakota. Pray for new church development known as Chain of Lakes Presbyterian Church & Pastor Paul Moore. Pray for those in the care centers Vivian Royce, Russell Patterson, George Whiting, and Jean Weinknecht. Pray for Eva Brennand, Lucille Thomas, Bonnie Varekois in assisted living. Pray for Ruth Swezey, Jeane Whiting and Betty Derby, Lew and Rachel Severance for better health. Pray for Marie Kaufeld and Donald Heser in Hospice care. Pray for Jack & Dusty Heiserman and Danny Stucky. Communion Dates Sunday, February 14, 2016 Thursday, March 24, 2016 (Maundy Thursday) Sunday, May 15, 2016 Sunday, August 7, 2016 Sunday, October 2, 2016 Sunday, November 27, 2016 Sunday, January 1, 2017 N OTE: Rev. Patterson is available for counseling and home visitation when requested, as well as hospital visits when informed. N edding Coordinator Thank you to Sue Alberts for volunteering to be our wedding coordinator. Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil The prayer vigil will be Wednesday, February 10 th from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm in the church sanctuary. Church members and the Communicants class are asked to take a turn. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall.

3 Rev. Patterson leads Bible Study every Thursday morning at 9:30 am at Prairie Meadows. You are invited to join us. Bible Verse in the News 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Our church is offering rides to church on Sunday mornings and selected evening services and events for people without a ride, especially the elderly. Peggy Engle will be taking the calls at We ask that you call before Friday for Sunday services and two days before evening services. We also would ask anyone who is interested In volunteering to give rides to contact Peggy Engle. The more volunteers we have the easier it will be to line up rides and the fewer times each volunteer will be called on. N eed a ride? Per capita will be $32.84 for 2016, for each active member. Treasurer s Report 2015 Year End Balance Income $130, Expenses 130, Balance $ Church Information Website: s: presbykasson@kmtel.com janet@presbykasson.org Phone: Peavy Assisted Listening System (Can you hear me now?) We now have available a wireless listening system which consists of a FM transmitters, 4 receiver's, 4 ear buds or 4 head phones. This assisted listening system provides high quality hearing assistance for up to four people, without seating restrictions. The system has a wireless operating range of 300 ft. The transmitter is connected to our sound system and broadcasts the audio as an FM radio signal. Anyone in the congregation who desires listening assistance will use a pocket sized assisted listening receiver with adjustable volume control through ear buds or head phones. If anyone is interested in using these contact Dick Hewitt and he will explain how they work and get you set up to try them some Sunday.

4 February 3 February 4 February 5 February 7 February 11 February 12 February 13 February 14 February 15 February 17 February 22 February 24 February 25 February 26 Howard Gransee, Audrey Erwin Spencer Garness Kevin Horsman, Heather Abbott Bobbi Peterson Judy Patterson, Diane Tenhoff Aaron Patterson Thelma Givan Tom Ferry, Rebecca Stephans Alex Fogal Peter Carlsen Dawn Miller Genevieve Frodermann Paul Pogalz Wendy Tieman February 3 February 7 February 10 Tom and Audrey Erwin Paul and Heidi Alberts Joe and Wendy Tieman Clerk of Session The new clerk of Session is Randy Carlsen. A thank you to Ginny Garness who completed her term. February 15

5 Session/Deacons to meet The joint Session/Deacons meeting will be Thursday, February 25 th at 7:00 pm. All Elders and Deacons are asked to attend as we form our committees and plan programs for The Pastor s Lenten Bible study will be Wednesday, February 10 th March 23 rd from 6:00-7:00 pm in the church library. You are invited to come learn about Mary, the mother of Jesus. There is more to the life of Mary than Christmas. We will use videos, art work and music in this Bible Study. Come when you can. Paragraph from the Parish Nurse (Faith Community Nurse) Greetings! Parish Nurses are now being named Faith Community Nurses.FCN's. I have never been able to understand the need for changes such as this, but I will try to go with the flow! There will be an Advanced Directive's Class (The Five Wishes) at our church on Saturday, April 23 from 10 am till 12n. I hope you will consider attending this session if you have not yet completed yours. The cost is only $2, which covers the cost of the Five Wishes booklet. There are a few of these on the table in the fellowship hall. Please take one if you wish to complete this on your own or attend the class. It may be helpful for you to read it over before the class. There will be more booklets available on April 23. They are not considered legal if you have a copied booklet...you need the original. PW Greeting Cards The PW have re-organized the free greeting cards that are available in the Fellowship Hall. A box has been provided to receive and new donated greeting cards. Please look through the cards there are some very nice choices. Thank you for your donated cards. Enjoy! Rhonda Rocap Do we have ANYONE that likes to knit? It would be wonderful to have more Prayer Shawls available! As a nurse, I noticed several patients hugging their prayer shawls! If you have a cell phone, it is helpful to list in your contacts: ICE (In Case of Emergency) and a phone number of a contact person. Stay Healthy and Stay Warm! Hugs to all! Rose Horsman RN

6 Sunday Services Are Recorded The church service is recorded every Sunday and put on a CD. If you would like a copy of the service, please ask Dick Hewitt and he would be happy to make a copy for you. Faith in Action is looking for volunteer drivers, house cleaning and friendly visits. If you are willing to volunteer, place contact Faith in Action at Habitat for Humanity has received a lot in Mantorville from Dodge County. A family has been selected for a 2016 build. This is a mission of our church and we look forward to helping build an affordable home for a worthy family. If all else fails read the instructions (The Bible) Swimming party The youth and families of our church are invited to a swimming party at AmericInn Sunday, February 28 th from 2:00-5:00 pm. Bring your swimming suits, towels and a snack to share. You may bring friends, parents are encouraged to attend. Afternoon Circle The afternoon circle will meet February 4 th at 2:00 pm. They are open to more members so contact Jane Carlsen at or Carol Prenzlow at , if you would like to be in an afternoon Bible Study. Picture Directory Our church will be doing a picture directory to celebrate the 150 th anniversary of our church. Group photos will be taken on Palm Sunday, March 20 th. Family pictures will be taken April Volunteers are needed to help organize the picture directory. Morning Circle The morning Circle will meet February 10 th. Our study for 2016 will be the Horizons, Confessing the Beatitudes by Margaret Aymer. Calling all Working Women There are so many women in our church who could be in a Bible study group! It is a very enriching experience to discuss the Bible stories with one another. You could start with a group of 3 or 4 women on any evening of the week or on Saturday or Sunday. If you are interested in doing this and want some input in getting started, I ll be glad to help, Rosalie Trom

7 Wed., February 3 7:00 pm Choir practice Thurs., February 4 2:00 pm Afternoon circle 9:30 am Bible Study at Prairie Meadows 7:00 pm Picture Directory Committee Sun. February 7 8:45 am Sunday School and Communicants class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Fellowship/Worship committee Wed., February 10 9 am-9 pm Prayer Vigil 6:00 pm Bible study 7:00 pm Choir Practice Thurs., February 11 9:30 am Bible study at Prairie Meadows 2:00 pm Worship at Prairie Meadows Sun., February 14 8:45 am Sunday School and Communicants class 10:00 am Worship/Communion 11:00 am Fellowship Wed., February 17 6:00 pm Bible study 7:00 pm Choir practice Thurs., February 18 9:30 am Bible Study at Prairie Meadows 2:00 pm PW Sun., February 21 8:45 am Sunday School and Communicants class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Fellowship February 22-26

8 Wed., February 24 8:00 am NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 6:00 pm Bible study 7:00 pm Choir practice Thurs., February 25 9:30 am Bible Study at Prairie Meadows 7:00 pm Joint Session/Deacons meeting Sun., February 28 8:45 am Sunday School and Communicants Class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Fellowship 2-5 pm Swimming party at AmericInn Bible Trivia Famous Stories about Daniel in the Lions Den 1.) Who plotted to kill Daniel? The priests The magicians, astrologers and soothsayers The army generals His fellow administrators 2.)What was done to Daniel's accusers? They were hanged from a tree They were banished They were thrown into a fiery furnace They were thrown into the lion's den 3.)What did the king do that night? Slept Partied Fasted Listened to music Answers: 1. His fellow administrators 2. They were thrown into the lion's den 3. Fasted.