Until then, we look to the cross. We cling to the cross. Our reminder of what Christ has done for us in order to reunite us with God.

Transcription

1 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been Crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. - Galatians 2:19-21 Everything is starting to look different. The snow is melting, the geese are flying. The fields are black, the pastures are golden brown, and liquid water is pooling in ditches. It seems that spring is here. When the snow and cold finally recede, it is like rediscovering the world that we know is there, but has been hidden from sight under a blanket of white. Spring doesn t officially begin until March 20, but it is beginning to feel more like spring than winter. But some days and mornings remind us that spring is not officially here. Snow still flies, and there is still a nip in the air. And there is a light crust of ice on top of those pools in the road ditches. The transitional period of winter to spring is much like the here-but-not-yet paradox of Lent and Easter; the culmination of our life of faith. The season of lent reminds us of our inability to save ourselves by flawlessly following God s commandments to love God with our whole heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. It is a reminder of why we need God, who sent his Son to dwell with us and intercede for us. This brings us to Easter. The death and resurrection of Christ is where and how God meets us. It is how God has justified us. In our baptism, we are baptized in to Christ s death AND resurrection. The old sinner is put to death, and God creates in you a new identity; Christ now lives in you. This is what the death and resurrection of Christ means for you. And now we get to the here-and-not-yet paradox that is illustrated in the transition of seasons. Until that day that God calls us home, we never fully see that new identity that Christ has given us. Your new identity of Christ is like the ground covered by snow. It is there. But we do not see it. We may get glimpses, but it is not fully revealed until that final day. Until then, the life we now live in the flesh we live by faith. Your Faith. Which has been given to you by God. Faith to cling to that promise that there will be a day when this fully makes sense. A day when you see the new creation that God has created in you. This faith sustains you until the day that God s Kingdom comes and the paradox is no more. When Christ fully reveals everything to us, like the spring reveals the earth that has been lying under a blanket of snow. Until then, we look to the cross. We cling to the cross. Our reminder of what Christ has done for us in order to reunite us with God. God s Peace, Pastor Bryan

2 PARISH HAPPENINGS This year's Wednesday Lenten theme is "Encountering Characters in Luke's Gospel". Each week we will encounter new characters through dialogues. By the end of lent we will have encountered Mary, Zacchaeus, the sinful woman, the persistent friend, the prodigal son, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Lenten Wednesday service schedule: Each service will be at 7:00 PM. March 2: Bethlehem; March 9: Good Hope; March 16: Our Redeemer. We are looking for volunteers to act out each week's dialogue. Each week calls for one male and one female. Please see Pastor Bryan or Pastor Keith for details. Maundy Thursday 7 pm Grace Good Friday - 7 pm Bethlehem Easter Sunday 7 am Bethlehem with breakfast following worship 9:45 am Good Hope 9:45 am ORLC Rolls and juice before worship 11:00 am - Grace Thank you to everyone for your kind words, congratulations, and gifts after the birth of Jameson. We are so humbled and blessed to be living in such a kind and generous community surrounded by God. Thanks again! Love, the Taffes LENTEN COFFEE FELLOWSHIP will be held at Grace Lutheran on March 16 at 9:30 AM. Everyone is invited to attend this special time. A special speaker will be giving the program that day. There will be other Lenten Coffee Fellowship gatherings at other churches...dates and times to be announced later. Camping with Church Families & Friends Prairie Star Lutheran Parish June 17-19, 2016 Who: Family and friends of the Prairie Star Parish What: Camping / Worship / Fellowship / Food / Fun When: June 17-19, 2016 Where: Lake Thompson State Park Sites 1-14 or anywhere in the park you wish. Parish Event: June 18, Saturday, everyone is invited to the family games starting at 1:00 PM near the camping sites. Worship will be at 5:30 PM, please bring your lawn chair and potluck supper to follow at 6:30. SD State Park Annual sticker or day pass will be required to use the park.

3 Campers can make their own reservations for campsites / camping cabins or contact a committee member for reservations to be made in close proximity. To make reservations use the SD State Park website or call Reservations for campsites can only be made 90 days in advance, so the first day to make your reservation would be March 19, 2016 if you wish to camp on Friday night, June 17th. The website and call center open at 7:00 AM to make reservations. Please see the website or SD Game, Fish & Parks office for additional camping information. To reserve your first choice site, make reservations as soon as possible. Camping Committee: Tammy Hanson, Bethlehem mthanson62@gmail.com, phone Sandy Hovde, Good Hope slhovde@itctel.com, phone Jessica Moeller, Our Redeemer Jessica.moeller@k12.sd.us, phone Kristi Guerdet, Grace guerdetfam@yahoo.com, phone Pastors Keith and Bryan pastortaffe@gmail.com GOOD HOPE Good Hope WELCA will meet at noon on Thursday, March 3 at the home of Harriet Nordhus. GRACE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER You are invited to attend the World Day of Prayer service and coffee on March 4 (Friday) at 2 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Willow Lake. The ladies in Cuba wrote the program this year. Volunteers are needed to help with the program, please contact Lucille Birkholtz Grace s first quarter mission: Personal Health Care Items For the Beacon House in Watertown Bath towels white Toothbrushes Wash clothes white Shampoo Combs/Brushes Fingernail clippers Conditioner Deodorant Toothpaste Soap Razors Please have items to the church by April 3 rd. Thank you for your support.

4 Grace Lutheran Annual Meeting January 24, 2016 The meeting was held following Sunday service on January 24 th. President Doug LaMont called the meeting to order. Shawn LaMont read last year's annual meeting minutes. Treasurer reports from the booklet were read and discussed. Congregation was referred to the rest of the reports. Pastor Keith spoke on CYO activities for 2015: ICAP Angel Tree, Mission Trip for Habitat for Humanity to South Carolina (with the help of newly installed Pastor Bryan Taffe), tied fleece quilts for Veterans at Sioux Falls Hospital and Bible Studies. A plan for new year ministry at Saint Dysmas Ministry for Prison. Pastor Keith said there had been a smooth transition into duties for Pastor Bryan. Arrin W. said total Budget for 2016 is $58,681. Motion to approve the budget from Lucille and second from Melanie. Sue Garness spoke on Grace Sunday School. She thanked the family of Betty Grimm for the gift of more bells. Motion by Sue and seconded by Melanie to look into new digital keyboard and sound system. Also to look into a weekly Saturday evening Parish Youth Praise and Worship for the community. The 2016 nominated committee was: President : Doug LaMont Vice President: Shawn LaMont Secretary: Charlene Peterson Financial Secretary: Char Loterbauer Treasurer: Arrin Wirtjes Sunday School Superintendents: Sue Garness and Kelly Burke Property Committee: Dale Fonken and Bob Schmidt Auditing Committee: Kathy LaBay and Brenda Verdon Nominating Committee: Doug LaMont, Jim LaMont and Carrie LaMont 2016 Council Members: Melanie Schmidt and Dan Tonak Discussion was held concerning a future Stewardship program. Pastor Keith will look into it. Owen made motion to adjourn and the meeting was adjourned with the Lord s prayer. Submitted by Charlene Fleming

5 Grace Lutheran Council Meeting January 24, The Council Meeting followed after the Annual Meeting. There was a discussion on the front door closure. -Quarter Mission for the year is the same as last years. Motion to accept from Lucille and second by Melanie. -Discussion of music program, speaker system and keyboard. A new committee was formed for this; Melanie, Shawn, Sue and Lucille. Others will be welcomed to serve on this. -Discussion on need for Stewardship Program. Melanie, Shawn and Doug will draft a letter for this to promote growth of the church. Pastor Keith suggested a Celebration Service and Dinner and will search for a trained leader for this. -Meeting was adjourned with the Lords prayer. Submitted by Charlene Fleming Grace Lutheran Council Meeting February 14, 2016 The Council met after Sunday Services and began with reading of the last minutes. The Treasurers report was not available. Pastor Keith spoke on Concentration Sunday to be held either April 24th or May 1st with the leadership of Pastor Kent Stillson from Watertown. Manuals were issued for team members and a meeting for the council is scheduled for March 22nd at 7:00 pm. A letter to be sent to all with an invitation to the Concentration Sunday along with a free meal. This is to be catered meal with the cost paid for by the church. This procedure for stewardship is to be followed through with all of the planned steps and will continue for three years after it is implemented. A bid for a new sound system was reviewed from Audio & Video Connections of Brookings. The sound system is for the church and fellowship hall and included microphones and speakers. The Council decided to wait on another bid from Aberdeen before a decision is made. The committee checked out the Yamaha Clavinova 535 digital piano at the Engel Music store in Aberdeen. The keyboard would have a variety of capabilities; organ, piano, guitar, and voice, rhythm, etc. A Ron Parker was on their list of possible piano teachers to meet with our committee and help with set up of the keyboard. Lenten Offering was designated toward Campers. Motion from Shawn to adjourn and seconded by Sue. The meeting ended with the Lord s prayer. Submitted by Charlene Fleming.

6 March Schedule GRACE SERVING SCHEDULE April Schedule CHANCEL COMMITTEE: Lucille Birkholtz and Charlene Peterson CHANCEL COMMITTEE: Sue Garness and Mildred Saboe Mar. 6 Ushers: Gary Beutler and Al Hamre April 3: Ushers: Dale and Carol Fonken Reader: Char Loterbauer Reader: Mildred Saboe Acolyte: Samantha Acolyte: Braeden Cleaning: Margaret Grimm Cleaning: Terry and Gail Evenson Mar. 13 Ushers: Jim and Carrie LaMont Reader: Jim Acolyte: Burke family Cleaning: Samantha Dockter Mar. 20 Ushers: Verdon and Marlene Lamb Reader: Marlene Acolyte: Braeden Cleaning: Desi Kretzschmar Mar. 27 Ushers: Doug and Shawn LaMont Reader: Shawn or Doug Acolyte: Tara Cleaning: Kelly Burke April 10: Ushers: Twaits Reader: Lisa Acolyte: Tara Cleaning: Sandy and Lacey Giles April 17: Ushers: Rick and Char Peterson Reader: Rick or Char Acolyte: Samantha Cleaning: Marcie Glanzer April 24: Ushers: Owen and Lucille Birkholtz Reader: Owen Acolyte: Burke Family Cleaning: Kelly Burke OUR REDEEMER USHERS FOR APRIL Ron Welton Larry Warne Dick Donley Chad Noem ALTAR GUILD FOR APRIL Sally Rosin Tracey Larson

7 World Day of Prayer will be observed in Bryant with a Brunch and Bible Study on Friday, March 4, beginning at 9 AM. The theme for the day, Receive Children, Receive Me, has been prepared by the women of Cuba. Bible study, prayers, hymns and fellowship are planned and all are welcome to come. A free will offering will be taken for WDOP USA. Our Redeemer Church Council Meeting January 19, 2016 The meeting was called to order by President, Gary Noem. Pastor Bryan led us in devotions. The minutes were read and approved. Treasurer s report was given and approved. The 2016 budget was presented for review. It was approved to be presented to the congregation at our annual meeting on January 24. Pastor s Report Pastor Bryan said joint worship will be held on January 31 at Vienna at 9:45. LMM will be hosting breakfast. Their son, Jameson, will also be baptized. Ash Wednesday is February 10. Times for Lenten services will be included in the February newsletter. New business With a new year ahead of us we would like to propose the following items to be worked on: A/C for the church, electronic sign for outside, handicap bathroom, cover over the east door, work in the basement and work on the parsonage to finish the basement, choose some mission work Our annual meeting will be held on January 24 following worship and potluck to follow. Nominations for offices are Gary Noem, President; Julie Thonvold, Secretary; Avis Welton, Treasurer; Melissa Wiseman, Financial Secretary; Brad Jacobson, Deacon and Tim Jensen, Trustee. Trustees The smoke detectors have been installed. Deacons Nothing Parish Melissa Wiseman is resigning her seat on the Parish Council so we will need to nominate someone at the annual meeting. Our next meeting will be held on March 15 at 7 pm. We closed with the Lord s prayer. Julie Thonvold, Council Secretary, Work, and Faith Motherhood, Work, and Faith Putt