The King s Herald. March Beginning of Lent Schedule. Lenten Project Supports World Hunger

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Paula Mason
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Christ the King Lutheran Church Where We Are About God s Grace For God s People Inside this issue: Pastor s Corner 2-3 Remembering the Reformation Youth News 4 Home Bible Study for Lent Offerings &

Drugs? Ad Hoc Committee Formed to Look at Some Sanctuary Changes 3 5 6 Beginning of Lent Schedule March 2017 Can you believe that Lent is here already?

1 Christ the King Lutheran Church Where We Are About God s Grace For God s People Inside this issue: Pastor s Corner 2-3 Remembering the Reformation Youth News 4 Home Bible Study for Lent Offerings & Attendance Those Who Serve 10 Calendar 11 Special points of interest: Lent Begins With Ash Wednesday, March 1 Youth to Hold a Rueben Sandwich Fundraiser As a Congregation What Can We Do to Fight Drugs? Ad Hoc Committee Formed to Look at Some Sanctuary Changes Beginning of Lent Schedule March 2017 Can you believe that Lent is here already? As always, Lent begins officially on Ash Wednesday, March 1 st. Worship with Holy Communion and Imposition of the Ashes at 7 PM. Lenten Worship and Soup Suppers begin the following week, March 8 th at 6 PM, and go until April 5 th. Palm Sunday is April 9 th and the Easter celebration is April 16 th! Get ready! Lenten Project Supports World Hunger Faith Formation students and members of the Parish Life Committee work together each year on a project for a certain outreach cause. We're taking our "quarters for hunger" to a whole new level. Each congregation in the Northern Great Lakes Synod is encouraged to bring a decorated cow to the synod assembly in May along with change for World Hunger. The committee has come up with a number of ways to collect coins while having a little fun along the way. Our funds raised from the Soup Suppers, Easter Breakfast and Buck-A-Chick are all being designated for this cause. A noisy offering will be taken the second Sunday of March and April. You will find a milk can on the office desk where you can deposit your loose change. We recognize that hunger isn't a problem in far off lands but is a very real issue in our own community as well. Therefore we are encouraging your donations of non perishable foods for the local Salvation Army food pantry. Soon you will see a display in the narthex designated to receive your donations.

Page 2 Pastor s Corner Joel 2:12-13 Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.

There is something about Lent which we are never truly prepared for no matter what we do during this holy time of year. This is both the gift and challenge of the Lenten season.

That also is why Lent remains a challenge for us 21 st Century Americans.

2 Page 2 Pastor s Corner Joel 2:12-13 Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Lent is here! Are you ready? There is something about Lent which we are never truly prepared for no matter what we do during this holy time of year. This is both the gift and challenge of the Lenten season. It is a gift because Lent is about simplifying, it s about sanctification, it s about giving up luxury and surrendering more and more to the Lord. That also is why Lent remains a challenge for us 21 st Century Americans. Giving up meat on Friday, giving up sweets or chocolate, giving up Facebook or internet usage for a few weeks, turning off the television for the next 5 weeks all things are just fine and good, provided we remember why we do them: To bring us closer to God. To bring us nearer to the One who created us, the One who saves us, the One who will raise up our dead bodies from the dust and the ashes to give resurrected life. All those things to fast from are well and good, provided we don t then fill our time and amuse ourselves with other useless activities. Like the prophet Joel cries out: Rend your hearts and not your garments! This essentially means, don t go through the motions, don t put on a pious charade if you aren t serious about the Lord. One could go an entire lifetime without meat on Fridays or chocolate or alcohol for 40 days and still be lost eternally. In an age of constant and consistent distraction, Lent brings us to think critically about what our most cherished priorities are to see if they are in line with God and His will and His priorities. We can reevaluate any time of year (or not at any time of year for the hard of heart), but Lent especially heightens our consciousness to things of God. It is no surprise then that the early church precisely used this time of year for their new members, people ready to be baptized in God s name Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit. They were required to fast, to study, to pray, to rely more and more on the Lord and the people of God for all things necessary for daily life. It is my hope and prayer the Lord will challenge you this Lenten season to really get back to the fundamentals of the faith: Worship, Bible, prayer, Christian fellowship, and so on. It is my hope and prayer the Lord will bless you deeply and richly as well as you surrender more and more to the Lord, as you cling to Jesus for life, healing, and salvation. Refocused, renewed, refreshed by God s grace, love, and mercy let us all return to the Lord our God with all our heart. Humbly yours in Christ, Pastor Chris

Page 3 Lenten Soup Suppers Join us for soup, sandwich and sweet treats on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. just before our Lenten Worship services which are at 7:00 p.m. Each week we will feature a variety of soups and sandwiches.

3 Page 3 Lenten Soup Suppers Join us for soup, sandwich and sweet treats on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. just before our Lenten Worship services which are at 7:00 p.m. Each week we will feature a variety of soups and sandwiches. The last several years we have offered an outstanding meal worthy of encouraging those in attendance to make a minimum donation of $3. There isn't a fast food place in town that can give you as much for your money as we have to offer. We have a sheet posted on the bulletin board in the narthex where you can sign up to make a soup. Would you be available to make sandwiches? The church gets all the sandwich fixings but could use someone to assemble them. Or maybe you might like to provide the sweets. Our working together to make these suppers so awesome is all good but what is really rewarding is the good that we do in helping to fight hunger. Reformation 500 Bookstore! The 500 th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to learn more about Martin Luther, his writings, and their impact on Christianity? Do you want to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Stop by our Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save up to 50% plus receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles. Stop by Christ the King during the weeks of March 19 th through April 2 nd to place your order and purchase some fascinating books on the Reformation for you and your family. Our Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The books will include bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer as well as an atlas of the European Reformations, a graphic novel for young readers, and primary sources from The Annotated Luther series (more scholarly in focus). Lent/Easter Choir Get those lungs warmed up and ready to sing! For four Wednesdays, Beth Ann will be leading our choir in practice to sing on Palm Sunday and Easter (and maybe another time too!). Choir practice will be on Wednesday nights at 5:30 PM starting on March 22 nd and go through April 12 th. Share the news, invite, and help us sing a joyful song unto the Lord! Spring Delta Conference Come and join us on Sunday, April 2 nd at 4 PM to see what s been going on in our conference and synod! We will talk about current and future ministry ventures including getting ready for the Bishop election in May and the UP State Fair in August. The host congregation is Bethany Lutheran Church in Perkins.

Page 4 Faith Formation: Confirmation +Sunday Confirmation class begins @ 9 AM every weekend +Summer 2017 Mission Trip Meeting: Sunday, April 9 th after worship Everyone who is going MUST attend!

4 Page 4 Faith Formation: Confirmation +Sunday Confirmation class 9 AM every weekend +Summer 2017 Mission Trip Meeting: Sunday, April 9 th after worship Everyone who is going MUST attend! +Mission Trip Fundraiser Saturday, March 18 th St. Patrick s Weekend Reubens! +Midweek Lenten Dinners and Worship Dates: Wednesdays, March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, and April 5th Time: Soup/Sandwich dinners begin officially at 6 PM, worship begins at 7 PM. Confirmation Students on prep duty will need to be here around 5:45 PM. The other students will help out in worship and clean up after dinner in a timely manner. Youth Trip Summer 2017 This summer, July 16 th to July 21 st, a number of our confirmation students will be going to the Quad Cities. Four cities in two states form the Quad Cities, located in the heart of the Midwest on the Mississippi River. Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, Moline/East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois, and surrounding towns make up a bustling metropolitan area that maintains a friendly, small-town feel. The four cities are located right on the Mississippi River at the only place where the river flows East to West. As in previous years, our mission trip will be through Youth Works whose purpose is this: We exist to connect teenagers to God, each other and communities through life-changing Christ-centered mission trips. We ll be teaming up with them again this summer. Read more about Youth Works here: Youth Trip Reuben Fundraiser Come and join us on Saturday March 18 th for a St Patrick s day dinner that will benefit the youth going to the Quad Cities this July. The dinner will consist of a Reuben sandwich, French Fries and dessert. Hot dogs will also be available. The cost of the dinner will be $10. Come and have a great meal and help out our youth!

Page 5 Ad Hoc Committee Meets Those present at this year s annual meeting unanimously voted to create an ad hoc committee with the sole responsibility to look into making some changes in the

5 Page 5 Ad Hoc Committee Meets Those present at this year s annual meeting unanimously voted to create an ad hoc committee with the sole responsibility to look into making some changes in the sanctuary. Next year we'll celebrate 50 years in our current building and as we all know after that many years it's time to look at making improvements, do a little updating. The task of this committee will be to discuss possible improvements, choose samples and submit their plan to the Finance Committee for funding. A recommendation will then be presented to the church council before being presented to the congregation for final approval. All who are interested and can be objective and open minded to change are invited to an initial meeting on Sunday, March 5th immediately following worship. Lenten Home Study Starting Sunday, March 5 th at 7 PM, we will be beginning a discussion around the DVD series entitled, He Chose Nails by Max Lucado. Max Lucado is a preacher with a storyteller s gift a pastor s heart and a poet s pen. His message is simple: God loves you; let him. Each meeting begins with watching minute session on the theme for that day, all of them revolving around why Jesus chose nails: To win our hearts. We are most thankful for our hosts: Mike and Julie Smith. Julie will help facilitate discussion as those gathered dive into why Jesus chose the nails for us. Their home is 521 South 14 th Street, Escanaba. Space is limited to 6 people, so hurry and sign up before it s full! Here s what will be focused on and when: March 5 th He Chose to Be One of Us March 12 th He Chose to Forgive Us March 19 th He Chose to Invite us into His Presence March 26 th He Chose to Love us Forever April 2 nd He Chose to Give us Victory Senior Luncheon Our next Senior's Luncheon will be Tuesday, March 14th at 12:00 noon. The menu will include: Saucy Meatloaf, Bake Potato, California Blend Vegetables, Coleslaw, Dessert and a Beverage. The cost is $7. Sign the back of your worship response card or call the office to make a reservation. Join us as we gather for good food and good fellowship.

6 Page 6 Offerings & Worship Attendance For February Date 5 P.M. 10:30 Total S.S. Confirmation February 4/ February 11/ February 18/ February 25/ Average attendance for February: 123 Offerings For February February 5 $3, February 12 $2, February 19 $2, February 26 $2, Total Offerings for February $10, Total Offerings needed for February $13, Difference: - $3, YTD Needed: $30, YTD Received: $32, Difference: $1, Loan Balance: $4, Thankfulness: An Online Opportunity to Give Readings for March March 5 1st Sunday in Lent Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Ps. 32; Romans 5::12-19; Matthew 4:1-11 March 12 2nd Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-4a; Ps. 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 March 19 3rd Sunday in Lent Exodus 17:1-7; Ps. 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 March 26 4th Sunday in Lent 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ps. 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 If you need a convenient way to make recurring contributions, are out of town and would like to give, missed worship and still want to give out of the generosity of your heart, we encourage you to check out our electronic giving option. As we get back into the routine of things, you may find electronic giving a most welcome routine and an easy way to make contributions. To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit us online at and locate the Online Giving button on the right side of the webpage. Or if it's easier, complete a paper authorization form and return it to the church office. Thank you for your generosity and support of God s work through Christ the King!

Page 7 Thursday Theology 2016/2017 Focus: C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis, the Irish born professor of Mediaeval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, has inspired millions of people over the past 7 decades.

Over the next 3 months, we ll continue focusing on his most famous book, Mere Christianity, a book dedicated to focus on and logically explain the essentials of the Christian faith.

7 Page 7 Thursday Theology 2016/2017 Focus: C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis, the Irish born professor of Mediaeval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, has inspired millions of people over the past 7 decades. God used Lewis intellect and writing ability powerfully his books. Over the next 3 months, we ll continue focusing on his most famous book, Mere Christianity, a book dedicated to focus on and logically explain the essentials of the Christian faith. The book is based on a series of radio broadcasts he had given during World War II. We ll be meeting at 11:30 AM the following Thursdays: March 9 th Book Three, Chapters 9-12: Charity, Hope, and Faith March 23 rd Book Four, Chapters 1-3: Making and Begetting, The Three-Personal God, and Time and Beyond Time 2017 Prophetic Books Bible Study This year we continue focusing on the challenging prophetic Scriptures. We hear warnings of judgment and punishment; we hear promises of healing, restoration, and salvation. We hear the call to care for the poor, the orphan, the widow, the alien; we hear the call from God through the prophets that shakes religious complacency and indifference. Be challenged by these ancient words and their relevance for today. Here s what we ll be focusing on and when over the next few weeks: March 8 th Joel A Warning of Judgment March 15 th Obadiah A Nation Judged for Mistreating God s People March 22 nd Jonah God s Unimaginable Grace and Mercy March 29 th Micah 1-4 Judgment Upon the Nations April 5 th Micah 5-7 Leaders and People on Trial Buck-A-Chick They're BAAAACK! Last year we chose to do something different other than the chicks and realized that it didn't go over so well. So we're bringing the chicks back. For $1 you can purchase and decorate a chick. Return your artwork to the office and we will hang it up along with all the others. Stop by the office and pick one up. Thrivent Choice Dollars Eligible benefit members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans have until March 31, 2017 to direct Choice Dollars from After that date the unused Choice Dollars expire. Choice Dollars can be directed among thousand of 501 c nonprofit organizations including Christ the King. You may easily take care of this by going on-line, making a phone call to Thrivent or calling the local office for their assistance. Act soon, before these free monies expire. If you would like to stop by the church office we can also assist you with this.

Page 8 How the Church Can Make a Difference: The Drug Problem in Escanaba On Tuesday, February 21 st, I (Pastor) went to a drug conference held at the MTEC building at Bay College.

8 Page 8 How the Church Can Make a Difference: The Drug Problem in Escanaba On Tuesday, February 21 st, I (Pastor) went to a drug conference held at the MTEC building at Bay College. Here are some staggering statistics that you may (or may not) know about drugs in Michigan and the UP: 68% Increase in heroin use since 2003 THC (found in marijuana) is the most abused drug in Michigan. With medical marijuana becoming more easily attainable and with restrictions on recreational use softening, an epidemic could be (or is already) brewing. Prescription drug abuse remains a huge issue Physical violence and drug/alcohol abuse are tightly connected issues Methadone drug arrests have gone up and because of the police s focus on this drug de jour, cocaine and crystal meth use has been on the rise Marquette General led the state in admitting drug affected mothers and delivering drug affected babies (340 in 2015) Five babies a month spend at least 17 days in the neonatal ICU at Marquette General About 1/3 of the babies born at OSF are affected by drugs The statistics are staggering. What as a church can we do? Here were some things asked of the churches in Escanaba: Programs for families affected by drug abuse are few and far between Housing for people recovering remains an issue Providing a safe, forgiving community (read: CHURCH!) is essential for men/women recovering from drug abuse What can we do at Christ the King? What can you do to help bring freedom in Christ s name to those afflicted with addiction? Let s talk about this and get serious about making a difference with this huge problem in our neighborhoods. Lay School for Mission One of the great gift and treasures of our synod is the Lay School for Mission. It's been up and running for over 20 years now and continues to support, challenge, and grow the faith in the people of God who participate. This year Christ the King will have three graduates from this 2 1/2 year program: Mary Jo Johnson, Lance Lindstrom, and Lisa Temple. Be sure to congratulate them on such a wonderful accomplishment! If you would like a little dose of Lay School, be sure to drop by Tuesdays, anytime from 5:15-9:15 PM. On Saturday, April 1st at 10 AM there will be a live-streamed class devoted to Synod Polity taught by Bishop Skrenes. Give Lay School a try!

Page 9 Let Us Pray For those Celebrating Birthdays On: March 2: Lindsey Olson March 3: Bill Gartland March 4: Justin Cobb, John Hendrickson March 5: Tanner McDonald March 7: Beth Jacobson March 8:

9 Page 9 Let Us Pray For those Celebrating Birthdays On: March 2: Lindsey Olson March 3: Bill Gartland March 4: Justin Cobb, John Hendrickson March 5: Tanner McDonald March 7: Beth Jacobson March 8: Pat Wendrick March 11: Rob Jensen March 12: Tucker McDonald March 13: Jodi Joncas, Jared Murray March 14: Joey Kutzera March 15: Kevin Boudreau March 16: Krissa Gafner, LeRoy Sovey March 17: Harold Strasler March 19: Marlene Raedar March 22: Tim McDonald March 23: Matt Adams, Judy LaCasse, Leigh Schmidt March 24: Vivian Frossard March 26: Bella Lindstrom March 28: Meagan Johnsen, Dutch Solis, Bob VanEffen March 29: Geri Jo Berthaume March 31: Mary Hovey, Corey Kang, Pete Schlenvogt, Shirley Smith Faith Formation News If you are at any of our Sunday morning prayer requests, you are more than likely going to be praying for a furry critter. With this in mind, we chose to help out the Delta Animal Shelter as our February service project. All of the Sunday School offerings for February will be donated to the shelter and a needs list was distributed for those who wish to donate specific shelter needs. We will continue to collect the items for the first two Sundays in March. Thank you for your generosity! As we enter the month of March we will also be entering into Lent. It has become a tradition tor Faith Formation to team up with Parish Life and come up with a fun and faith filled Lenten fundraiser. This year our monies will go to ELCA World hunger and the local Salvation Army. We will again host our Buck a Chick fundraiser so get your dollars ready! Be on the lookout for other exciting events in the upcoming weeks. A big THANK YOU to Corey Kang who has so graciously volunteered to step into Roland s shoes and lead our fourth and fifth graders. I have heard great reports from the kids so glad to have you on board Corey! Please continue to keep our Faith Formation in your prayers we are doing great work!!

Page 10 Those Who Serve Readers March 4/ 5 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 11/12 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Lisa Temple March 18/19 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 25/26

Camree Bonifas March 25/26 5:00 Ella Johnson 10:30 Caydence Carter Altar Guild March 4/ 5 Laverne Picard & Connie Schmidt March 11/12 Julie Smith & Marlene & Tom Raeder March 18/19 Sandy Jacobson &

10 Page 10 Those Who Serve Readers March 4/ 5 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 11/12 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Lisa Temple March 18/19 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 25/26 5:00 Dawn Martin 10:30 Carrie Boudreau Acolytes March 4/ 5 5:00 Isaac Berthaume 10:30 Elizabeth Brandel March 11/12 5:00 Ashton Moran 10:30 Brett Schlenvogt March 18/19 5:00 Mackenzie Jensen 10:30 Camree Bonifas March 25/26 5:00 Ella Johnson 10:30 Caydence Carter Altar Guild March 4/ 5 Laverne Picard & Connie Schmidt March 11/12 Julie Smith & Marlene & Tom Raeder March 18/19 Sandy Jacobson & Judy Anderson March 25/26 Mary Jo Johnson & Beth Jacobson Assisting Minister March 4/ 5 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 11/12 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Julie Smith March 18/19 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 25/26 5:00 Nancy Norberg 10:30 Connie Schmidt Communion Assistants March 4/ 5 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 11/12 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Mike & Julie Smith March 18/19 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom March 25/26 5:00 Nancy Norberg 10:30 Leigh & Connie Schmidt

March 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:00 Quilting 7:00 Ash Wednesday Communion 2 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 11:00 Property Mtg.

11 March 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:00 Quilting 7:00 Ash Wednesday Communion 2 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 11:00 Property Mtg. 3:00 Funeral for Patricia Picard 3 5:00 Communion 4 5 9:00 Faith Formation 9:30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion 11:45 Ad Hoc Committee Mtg. 7:00 Home Group 6 7 1:00 Joy Book Club 5:15 Lay School 7:30 Dartball 8 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Bible Study 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lenten Worship 9 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 11:30 Thursday Theology :00 Communion 12 9:00 Faith Formation 9:30 Coffee Hour 9:30 Finance Mtg. 10:30 Communion 12:00 Executive Committee Mtg. 7:00 Home Smiths 13 10:00 Worship & Music Committee Mtg :00 Sr. Luncheon 1:00 Joy Book Club 5:15 Lay School 7:30 Dartball 15 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Bible Study 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lenten Worship 16 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 6:15 Church Council Mtg :00 Communion 6:00 Reuben Mission Trip Fundraiser 19 9:00 Faith Formation 9:30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion 7:00 Home Smiths :00 Joy Book Club 5:15 Lay School 7:30 Dartball 22 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Bible Study 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lenten Worship 23 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 11:30 Thursday Theology :00 Communion 26 9:00 Faith Formation 9:30 Coffee Hour 10:30 Communion 7:00 Home Smiths :00 Joy Book Club 5:15 Lay School 7:30 Dartball 29 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Bible Study 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lenten Worship 30 10:00 Coffee with the Staff 31

12 Christ the King Lutheran Church 1230 North 18th Street Escanaba, Michigan Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Bulk Permit No. 179 Escanaba, Michigan Address Requested Phone: (906) We re on the Web! This issue of the King s Herald is given in loving memory of Eric Mattson by Mike & Julie Smith KING S HERALD March 2017 CHURCH OFFICE PASTOR Rev. Chris Johnson address: pastorchris.ctk@gmail.com CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Arlene Cody address: c.lutheran@att.net Website: WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Saturday 5:00 p.m. Worship Sunday 9:00 a.m. Youth Faith Formation; 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour; 10:30 Worship Holy Communion is celebrated at every Saturday and Sunday service. At the 10:30 a.m. service communion will be distributed using continuous communion.

Holy Week & Easter Sunday Schedule. Palm Saturday/Sunday March 24 th /25 5 PM and 10:30 AM. Maundy Thursday with First Communicants

March 2018 Christ the King Lutheran Church Where We Are About God s Grace For God s People Holy Week & Easter Sunday Schedule Palm Saturday/Sunday March 24 th /25 th @ 5 PM and 10:30 AM Maundy Thursday