Palm Sunday Saturday, April 8 Worship 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 9 Worship 10:00 a.m.

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1 TIDINGS 2017 CALVARY LUTHERAN Palm Sunday Saturday, April 8 Worship 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 9 Worship 10:00 a.m. Good Friday Maundy Thursday Friday, April 14 Thursday, April 13 Worship 7:30 p.m. Worship 6:30 p.m. Watch the Lamb with Holy Communion Youth Service with Tenebrae Easter Weekend Saturday, April 15 Easter Vigil Service 5:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 16 Easter Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt 9:30 a.m. Easter Worship 10:00 a.m. Page 1

2 So we re about to celebrate the Big Event: Holy Week and Easter. What then? Jesus even said, It is finished. What more is there? Forgive my attempt at cynicism here, but I do want to catch your attention and raise the question, how do we finish? As for Jesus, He has sat down at the right hand of the Father. The work that God began in creation and redeemed by the Son is now in the capable hands of the Spirit. Jesus indeed finished, and finished well, but what about us? A Pastor that served in Nashville got to be friends with a couple of musicians. He found them well versed in scripture and very knowledgeable about their faith, but they never came to worship except on Easter morning. Finally this Pastor got up the nerve and asked, Why is it you never showed up for any other Sunday? One of them responded, You know how much we hate rehearsals, and Easter is the real thing with 51 rehearsals. Actually, worship is 51 rehearsals and a dress rehearsal. The actual event doesn t happen until we get to the other side of that place we call the grave. Of course, I just have one other question for those musicians, How many of them would face an audience without having practiced rehearsals? Sheryl s choir director at Dana would tell them, Work on a song until your sick of it and then find a way to make it fresh and, then and only then, will you be ready to perform it. Each Easter celebration should remind us that while Jesus race is completed, our race goes on and indeed with each an every Easter is the encouragement to begin the race anew. Like with Christmas, the culture around us hypes the coming of the holiday. Then come December 26 th or Easter Monday, the decorations come down and the next big sales event is touted. Take a look at your church calendar, you will notice with both Christmas and Easter, the holiday, or more correctly, Holy Day, BEGINS the season and does not end it. No the race for us is not over, and this intentional placing of the holiday and the beginning should remind us, Easter has just begun. So we understand what the writer of Hebrews meant, when he said, Therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1. Think of Easter as your starting place and then being cheered on by all who have gone before us, consider how to finish well. Have a Blessed Easter, Pastor Chris HOSPITALIZED? PLEASE LET US KNOW If you are hospitalized, please contact (or have a friend or family member contact) the church office and let us know so that we can visit and pray with you. Providing pastoral care is an important part of our ministry, however, we cannot visit if we don t know, so please don t hesitate to call or the church office, so that we can be there for you. Thanks! Pastors Sheryl and Chris Page 2

3 COUNCIL MINUTES SUMMARY March 13, 2017 Finance Report: Received and went over Financial report: Started month with $ Ended month with $ Made a $ Portico payment in March Insurance. Loan at bank has been paid off, now available if needed for new roof. Initial payment has been made to Fischer. Brief Board/Committee Reports: Board of Elders: Reviewed letter from Noni in regards to her PTO from 2016 and into The board discussed and recommended authorizing her request. Neal is working on updating benefits package and will be looked over at the March meeting. Working on scheduling staff evaluations for Pastors, Noni and Angie. Went over Pastors upcoming PTO days. Board of Worship and Music: All set for Easter Services. Had 130 attend for Ash Wednesday Services. Youth are serving Easter breakfast. Board of Outreach: will meet for first time on Board of Parish Education: Angie thanked everyone for the very generous donations from the Ash Wednesday supper served by the Youth, approximately 100 people were served. Parish Ed. did not meet last month but have on agenda: VBS, Graduation, Confirmation and Good Friday participation. Board of Social Ministry: Met after the Ash Wednesday service to decide on what they would serve for their Lenten meal, decided on 3 different soups. Received donations from supper in the amount of $ which will be matched and funds to go to the International Women s Scholarship Fund. This was on the recommendation of Bishop Eaton. It would provide scholarships to 12 international women to attend Lutheran college in the US. Board of Stewards: Have received approximately $10, in donations towards the Roof fund. Board of Trustees: Working on following issues: Replace fluorescent bulbs in sanctuary with LED, last longer and more economical. Bill to get ahold of Ryan with Fischer to go over contract and get on schedule to start working on roof. Renegotiate contract with Gary s now that the Pre-School is no longer at the church. Depending, on contract, may consider a part-time paying janitor, possibly someone from within the church. Bill to contact Gary s Cleaning. Pastors: Doing 2 Lenten services a week, one at Calvary and one at Holy Apostles in Mitchell. Update on Campus Ministry looking at starting a Help Shelf, at WNCC and WNCC School of Nursing, would include such items as shampoo, soap, body wash, some food items, at school of nursing also to include diapers. Pastor Chris has been summoned for jury duty on Maundy Thursday and will be on call for jury duty for 3 months. Old Business: Council Lenten dinner is scheduled for SOEC Daycare is done, will be coming back weekend of the 17 th to clean out closets and to clean. Looking to sell SOEC vans with proceeds going to Roof Project. Roof Project Will find something to display in the Narthex on what the current amount is at for donations on the roof project. Will also have something in bulletin on process. BBQ Ask Noni if she would be able to print tickets for the BBQ Bike-A-Thon also scheduled for same weekend June 24 th and 25 th. New Business: Recognition of years of service to Bill Huelle 20 years; and Pastor Chris and Pastor Sheryl 30 years. They will be recognized by Synod and will also schedule 2 different Sundays in fall to honor all 3 along with cake after church services, same as we did for Nancy. Approved Macy Schlothauer, Emma Foote, Gracee Michael and Kaetlynn Todd for Confirmation. Trustees are going to look at the rooms and see what needs to be done and report back to council. Approved letting an Adult Children of Alcoholics groups begin to use a meeting room with the understanding we are in the process of developing a building usage guidelines. MaryJo agreed to research of other churches in the area to see what their building usage guidelines are. Rural Immersion May 25 th, soup. This is where the Lutheran Seminary in Chicago sends out 8 to 10 kids to rural areas to immerse them in rural culture since many of them will begin ministry in rural settings. Will be coming to Calvary this year and asking if anyone from council would be interested in meeting with the seminary students. A complete copy of the Council Minutes are available in the Church Office. Page 3

4 EASTER LILIES FOR EASTER MORNING If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily in honor or in memory of a loved one for Easter Sunday, please fill out the form available in the narthex and return to the church office as soon as possible. Thanks! CARING ONES OFFERING We are collecting dollar bills! Did you know that every time you place a dollar bill into the offering plate you are supporting the work of Lutheran World Hunger Appeal, the CatPack/PupPack Backpack programs and the Lakota Center? This is an ongoing practice that this past year raised $250 dollars for World Hunger and Backpack programs. So, keep throwing those dollar bills into the offering plate. Thanks! WOULD YOU LIKE TO SIMPLIFY YOUR GIVING? Giving online is easy and secure and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions or make a one-time gift, plus you may change the amount or frequency of your donation and check your giving history any time you have access to the internet. To get started scan the QR code to the left or follow these easy steps: 1. Visit the church website at 2. Click on the Give Online button, 3. Click on the Create Profile button, then 4. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and begin giving online. You can set up a recurring contribution or make a one time gift. Whatever works best for you. CHURCH ROOF PROJECT Work will soon begin to replace the roof on the Education Wing. At the Annual Meeting the Congregation authorized the Council to take out a loan up to $55,000 to pay for this project. However, we would like to take out as small a loan as possible, so we are asking everyone in the congregation to give as you are able to help reduce the amount of loan that we will need. Over $10,00 has been given already! Donations may be made by using a designated giving envelope in your pews, or you may use our online giving option to make a donation as well. Thanks so much for your generosity and helping us to be good stewards of our church. ELCA WORLD HUNGER APPEAL S 40 DAYS OF GIVING. On Wednesday evenings during Lent we will be taking a special offering as part of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal s 40 Days of Giving. As part of this appeal we encourage everyone to think about giving up a meal eaten out or perhaps one of your daily lattes and giving that money instead to those in need. If you would like to help, please use the envelopes marked 40 Days of Giving in the pews and then place your gift in the offering plates on Wednesday nights. In conjunction with this campaign copies of a 40 Days of Giving devotional are available for you to pick up at church. Page 4

5 CONFIRMATION SUNDAY ON APRIL 30 TH When a child is baptized, we, as the people of God, promise to support and pray for them in their new life in Christ. Your presence on this special day is one way you can fulfill the promise we as a church made to God. We rejoice that Macy Schlothauer, Emma Foote, Gracee Michael and Kaetlynn Todd will be affirming the Baptismal promises made for them at their baptisms. Please include these youth in your prayers and come celebrate with them on April 30 th. CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND is established with the intent to promote Christian education at a Protestant college. We would like to remind those interested in attending a Protestant college next fall to stop by the church office and pick up an application form. Applications MUST be in by June 1st. Criteria for receiving a scholarship is as follows: 1. Attends Calvary Lutheran Church regularly and has had past record of two years attendance in Sunday school and/or church worship. 2. Is a voting member as defined in the Calvary Lutheran Church Constitution, C8.02C. 3. Will be a full time student as defined by the college you are attending. 4. Have not received scholarships from Calvary for more than eight college semesters (limit 3). Request for scholarships exceeding the eight college semesters will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. OWLS (Older,Wiser Lutheran s) LUNCHEON Join us Wednesday, April 5th at noon! Learn about the Farm and Ranch Museum Shepherd s Pie, Salad, Dessert No prior reservations are needed! REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR PANHANDLE CO-OP RECEIPTS Please continue to save those Co-Op receipts and drop them in the box in the narthex. Proceeds for these receipts will benefit the Scottsbluff/Gering CatPack and PupPack programs. SULLIVAN HILLS CAMP 2017 ONLY $50 Pick up a brochure outside the church office. Camps are available June and July for all age groups. To register visit SullivanHills.org. Page 5

6 April Mission Project Our Mission project for April is a Bake-less Bake Sale. Instead of spending the money to make baked items and asking people to turn around and buy them, the women are asking for cash donations in the amount that you might normally spend to make or buy items at a bake sale. Money raised goes to our mission projects for the world, for the nation, and for the local community. Donations may be made in the tan Designated Giving Envelopes found in the pews. Be sure to designate WELCA on the envelope. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDIES We continue our study from Galatians: Christian Faith and Christian Freedom. March looks at Heirs of the Promise Galatians 3:24-4:31 Meeting times are: Hannah Study Group Monday, April 7:00 p.m. Becky Martin s home th St., Gering Priscilla Study Group Tuesday, April 7:30 p.m.- Angie Hinze s home 615 Valley View Dr., Scottsbluff Ruth /Esther Study Group Tuesday, April 9:00 a.m. Ruth Harris home 9 Brentwood Ct., Scottsbluff PLEASE NOTE: Ruth and Esther groups will be meeting together on the SECOND TUESDAY of the month. ANOTHER BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY Each Tuesday from Noon to 1:00 p.m. a group of women meet at the church to study scripture together. Each study may run anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the study. Please consider joining us for a study and some great conversations.. All ladies are invited to join any of these groups. FIRST COMMUNION CLASS, MAY 7TH, 11:30 A.M. TO 2 P.M. Pastors Chris and Sheryl will be holding a First Communion Class for any children or youth of Calvary who are not yet receiving Holy Communion. All children and youth (no matter what age) are welcome to begin receiving communion at the discretion of their parents and following some basic instruction by the pastors. We will begin our time together with a lunch provided by the church, followed by class time as well as an opportunity for the youth to make their own communion bread. Parents: If you are interested in your child receiving Holy Communion, please talk to Pastors Sheryl or Chris so that we can be sure to plan materials and lunch accordingly. We also ask that at least one parent or grandparent attend the class with their child. Page 6

7 Pastoral Care/Prayer Requests Prayers for healing and a return to good health: Jim Dedlow (hospitalized), Don Stahla (Virginia Pickett s brother bypass surgery), Jim Shannon (Virginia Pickett s brother in law testing for extreme anemia), Kent Halley (double knee replacement), Bill Steele, Nancy Steele, Al Dalgarn, Michelle Forney, Val Rahrs, Florine Crom (Shirley Schuldies sister recovering from broken hip), Bryce Rendall (Susan Martin s cousin diagnosed with cancer), Kent Zweifel, Lillian Blehm. Prayers of Comfort and Peace for the Family and Friends of: Art Hamburger and Larry Janacek Our military: pray for those serving in areas of terror and violence and for those waiting for them at home. If you have Prayer Requests, please contact Nancy Steele through her nancylsteele@embarqmail.com or phone her at APRIL Steve Mackrill 4/1 Bob Zweifel 4/12 Donna Schuneman 4/1 Pat Smith 4/20 Dave Holdt 4/2 Dick Heidingsfelder 4/21 Al Dalgarn 4/4 Ron Wegelin 4/22 Lynn Margheim 4/4 Alissa Sweley 4/22 Greg Gingrich 4/6 Triniti Burgner 4/28 Tanner Blomenkamp 4/9 Barry Bassett 4/28 Ruth Harris 4/9 Wanda Payne 4/29 Monty Copsey 4/9 We ENCOURAGE every family of Calvary to support our area Food Pantry and Food programs. The pantries provide important services to those in need and can really help aid those families who are less fortunate. This month s Food Pantry item: PANCAKE MIX This month s Backpack Program item: MAC N CHEESE BOWLS MAY will be: OATMEAL PUDDING CUPS Page 7

8 CALVARY YOUTH NEWS - APRIL JAM Wednesdays-6 p. m. (4 yrs-6th grade) April 5 Lenten Service Symbols of Lent April 14 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE Watch the Lamb - All Youth - April 16 EASTER SUNDAY Breakfast served by the Youth 8:30 A.M. Easter Egg Hunt 9:00 A.M. April 12 HOLY WEEK NO JAM April 19 April 23 JAM resumes at 6 p.m. with dinner 3-6 grade Bible Presentation Road to Emmaus Worship 10 a.m. - Taco Salad April 26 Stephen s Witness - Enchiladas EPIC EVENTS! April 14 Good Friday Service: Watch the Lamb - drama by all youth April 16 Easter Service. Youth will serve Easter breakfast. April 30 Confirmation Sunday. Breakfast served by youth. 9 a.m. Sunday Mornings! Page 8

9 The Stephen Ministry Symbol Our Stephen Ministry program here at Calvary continues on, even though we don t hear too much about it. We are working with members of the congregation when a need arises. As a reminder of what the Stephen Ministry program stands for, the logo helps us to understand its purpose. The logo is a simple symbol made up of a broken person and a whole person superimposed on a cross. The dominant element is the cross which stands between the broken and the whole person. It reminds us that God is the one who actively transforms broken people into whole people. Jesus Christ provides the purpose and power to transform lives. The symbol provides the motivation for caring ministry done by our Stephen Ministers. The circle reminds us that we are all connected together and that God s love is never ending. If you would be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Nancy Steele. Training involves hours of your time, so this is a commitment a commitment that is so rewarding to both you and the person you will provide care for. Please consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Calvary s Church Office Phone number: (308) or Contact the Office by at: calvarylutheranscottsbluff@gmail.com Send physical mail / offerings to: 17 E. 27 th Street, Scottsbluff, NE Pastor Chris Kester Beyer (402) pastorchriskb@gmail.com Pastor Sheryl Kester Beyer (402) pastorsherylkb@gmail.com Pastors home phone: (308) Youth & Family Ministry Dir. Angie Hinze contact info: or call the Church office adhinze@gmail.com Nancy Steele, PMA nancylsteele@embarqmail.com Deadline for weekly bulletin announcements is Wed. at 5 PM. Deadline for newsletter is the 20th of each month. Please send your items to Noni in the church office. Find us on Facebook. WEBSITE FIND US ONLINE!!! Sermon Podcasts, Worship Bulletins, God s Home Inserts are all available on our website. Just go to and click on the worship tab. Daily Devos are also available on our home page. Page 9 Page 9

10 The Tidings Newsletter CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH ELCA NON PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID SCOTTSBLUFF, NE PERMIT # East 27th Street Scottsbluff, NE RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED