Harbor s Beacon. Anchored in the Word Growing through Worship and Prayer Sharing the Joy of God s Love for All

Transcription

1 Harbor s Beacon Anchored in the Word Growing through Worship and Prayer Sharing the Joy of God s Love for All

2 Harbor s Beacon Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church 1204 L Ave. Milford, Iowa ~Anchored in the Word ~Growing through Worship and Prayer ~Sharing the Joy of God s Love for All March 2018 When things are not going your way, refuse to get flustered. STOP what you re doing and take some deep breaths, SEEK My Face spend a few moments enjoying My Presence. Tell Me about the matters that are frustrating you. I will help you see things from My perspective and sort out what is really important. Moreover, I will open up the way before you as you press on in trusting dependence, remaining in communication with Me. Your desire to feel in control is often the culprit behind your frustrations. You plan your day and expect others to behave in ways that expedite your plans. When that doesn t happen, you face a choice: to resent the situation or to trust Me. Remember that I am in control and My ways are higher than yours as the heavens are higher than the earth. Instead of getting agitated about setbacks to your schedule, use them as reminders: I am you Savior- God, and you are My beloved follower. Relax in My sovereign control, trusting in My unfailing Love. When You said, Seek My face, my heart said to You, Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isiah55:9 Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 From Jesus Always by Sarah Young

3 COUNCIL COMMUNICATION February 13, 2018 Your church council would like to keep you informed as to what is going on at our meetings. We appreciate our church family and want to stay connected to you. The Council Meeting of Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church was held on February 13, President Denny Struck called the meeting to order at 7 pm. The following members were present: President, Denny Struck, Secretary, Linda Johnson, Financial Secretary, Kristi Peck, Council members, Dale Gehrels, Scott Berry, and pastor Tim. Absent council members: Barb Rohlf, Lynne Koelling, Adam Clausen, Elmer Lubinus, Becky Roe Pastor's Report Downtown Church is still considering our facilities among other options. They know our door is always open. Pastor Tim and Bev will be going to Denver area to visit children April Pastor Tim and Bev will be going to Norway July th. Pastor Tim and Bev will be going to Ghana mid-september for two weeks. Ahmed from Ghana will be here March Property Committee Thanks to Dale Gehrels for putting windows on the doors in upstairs rooms for safety, to control noise, and to conserve heat when not in use. Go take a look! Remodel team tells us subcontractor for cutting block has been selected. Tom Luers is working on sliding door for counter and finishing opening. They are thinking of doing the office remodel ourselves to save money. Thanks remodel team! Mission/ Benevolence Team Team reviewed our vision, history, and future priorities. They approved Baby Bottles for Cherish Center and discussed where to store God's closet supplies. Thanks to Jeff Kyle for offering to be interim leader. Next meeting is February 14 th. Parish Education for Youth Joy Kids/Joy Us is off to another great start for Thanks to Inga Hoffman for volunteering to coordinate Summer Street Bible School. Joy Kids parents will help serve March 14 th Lenten supper with potato bar. Adult Discipleship/Small groups Women's Bible Study on Tuesdays 9:30 Loving Well concludes end of month. Thanks to Patti Thayer and Patt Gehrels for leading this dynamic bible study/prayer group. Sunday night Bible Study Defining Moments by Andy Stanley started February 11 th and meets on Sundays at 6pm. Nursing Home Ministry Shirley Berry, Nancy Letcher, Linda Johnson have been visiting and praying with residents at Accura in Milford. They gave out Christmas treats and valentine treats along with devotions. Worship Calendar February 14- Ash Wednesday/ soup suppers at 5:30-6:15/ worship 6:30/ choir follows (Following Wednesdays with soup suppers/ service/choir) March 29-Maundy Thursday services 6:30 March 30-Good Friday service 7:00 pm April 1-Easter Sunday sunrise service7:00am, breakfast 8:00, second service 9:30 am Next council meeting is March 13, Linda Johnson Secretary

4 This morning s discussion focused mainly on the office remodel. We are going to need congregational approval since it looks like the costs are going to be in excess of $2000. Probably closer to $ $ There should be a special meeting sometime next month so that we can hopefully get started. I did call Dillon at Sunrise Lawn about the snow removal at the church. We need to have a better job removing snow on the sidewalks, the north sidewalk has not been done at all this winter. Dillon said the person that was doing it is no longer working for him and that he would be doing the removal himself. We also discussed removing at least some of the panels from the light fixture in the narthex to allow for more light, maybe the shape of a cross or replacing all stained glass with frosted glass similar to what is in the sanctuary. Our next meeting is March 8, 2018 Terry and the rest of the committee Harbor s Library Have you had enough of the snow and cold? Are you ready to spring into some uplifting reading? This Lenten season would be a good time to stop into the library and check out one of the following books: 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton No Wonder They Call Him the Savior by Max Lucado He chose the Nails by max Lucado Jesus, the Greatest Life of All by Charles Swindoll The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper We also have movies that portray the life of Christ, from His humble beginnings, through His teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection. The Jesus Film Color of the Cross The Greatest Story Ever Told Son of God We have some new books in the library this month Fiction Deadline by Randy Alcorn Current Events What if America Was a Christian Nation Again by James Kennedy Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst Biographies the Day I Died by Freddy Vest Thank you to all who donated item to the library this month! We welcome donations of Christian books, movies, and DVD or CD teachings.

5 KIDS R # 1 PARISH ED MEETING February 7, 2018, 5:15pm Opened with prayer. Members present: 6 members and one guest. JoyKids & JoyUs report. How was the first day back after break? Kids were excited to be at the church and we all need to get back into the routine. JoyKids & JoyUs Christmas Program review: Attendance, 170 were counted in the sanctuary; $519 was raised for camperships by donations for the meal and sale of olivewood ornaments. Thank you for the donation of the ornaments and to all who made a donation. Planning to have meal & program at end of spring session on April 25 th. Ham has already been donated for sandwiches! Fundraisers: Seroogys will not have this fundraiser this spring. Potato bar March 14 th Lenten Supper Patti will contact parents to help with this fund raiser. (After meeting Patti sent out a text and within 10 minutes received 8 offers of help from Moms. It is a go. Will have meeting after church on 2/11/18 to plan.) Patti will be gone February 28 th & March 7th. Bev will buy groceries, Dena will prepare Fellowship Hall (Bobbi will help on February 28), Nancy will prep rooms and Julie will be contact person via cell phone for parents. Dena has asked Idella to set up tables for the Joy program. She will arrive at the church at 2:30 on Wednesdays. Thank you Idella! March 1 st is early sign up deadline for summer camps. Patti will be gone when many of the camp applications will come in, we will need to get them to the camp before March 1 st. Summer Street Bible School Need coordinator, discussed several names. Dena mentioned another option of joining in with Downtown Church. Pastor suggested talking to Movie theater owners to show Christian video and then break for discussion. They already have popcorn, candy & pop for snacks. (After meeting asked Inga Hoffman to be coordinator and she agreed. Will need to meet with her.) Next meeting: Wednesday, March 7, 2018, 5:15 pm.

6 The Joy Youth Program has started it s Spring session with a bang! The children were so excited to be back into the routine of meeting on Wednesdays after school and the volunteers were happy to see all their smiling faces again! In February, the elementary students studied about Jesus - Teaching Truth, the Miracle Worker, Building Wealth in Heaven, and the Healer. As you can imagine these lessons always come with plenty of energy. We also have snacks, singing, crafts and games. The middle school kids are learning about bullying in the context of Christ s love and how the founders of our country were so dependent on Christ. These students also have opportunities to learn life skills. Dr. Ross Dirks brought in a falcon and told a bit about how God set up the food chain. He also told how he hunts with these amazing birds. Everyone was fascinated. For Valentine s Day they made cookies in a jar for that special someone. A few learned some knitting skills this month also! With the Lenten season here it gives us a great opportunity to come along these children and show them what worship is all about! I encourage you to invite one or two children to join you for supper and worship! We only know what we know until someone teaches us something new! Be that someone that teaches a child how to worship!! How awesome would that be?!? March 14 th the youth and their parents will be serving a potato bar supper. This will be a great occasion to get to know some of the parents and students. Please step out of your comfort zone and sit with someone you don t know and get acquainted! I ve been told we are a welcoming church let s prove it true! Working together in His name, Patti Griffiths

7 Prayers: Brian Peck, HOJ: Purpose and direction. Patti Griffiths in Tanzania, Leland and Ruby Harris, health issues, Sympathies to Vicki Godfredsen family in death of her father and aunt, healing for Deb Hayenga and daughter after kidney transplant, Marian Kyle, health issues, Verne and Kate Hansen, health issues. Pastor Tim s health. Please Notify Pastor Tim or church office of any shut-ins or anyone ill who would appreciate a visit. Gratitude and Praise: New Year First Sat. of the month: Men s Breakfast at Sunshine Foods. 7:30 AM. Every Tuesday is Nursing Home Ministry with Shirley Berry 2 nd Sunday of each month: Legion Breakfast at the Legion 2 nd & 4 th Thursday nights of every month is Community Table dinners. 5:30-7:00PM at Bible Conference Community Center. No cost to you. Everyone welcome. 3 rd Sunday of every month property Committee meets after church in Library Every Tuesday Prayer Group at 12:00 PM All communications for newsletter are due on Mar. 16 th. March 13th, Board And Council Meeting Every Wednesday night Choir at 7:30PM Lenten services every Wed at 6:30PM, supper at 5:30 PM Lenten Services: Wednesday nights 6:30 PM March 7; John Jensen Gate/Shepherd March14; Tim Nappe Way/Truth/Life March 21; Dan Taylor--Light Maundy Thursday, March 29; Tim Nappe Bread of Life Good Friday, March 30; Tim Nappe I Am He Easter, April 1, Tim Nappe Resurrection Ecumenical Services will be starting soon. The list is as follows: Mar. 2 nd, Calvary Methodist at 9:30 with World Day of Prayer Mar. 9 th, Harbor of Joy at 9:30 AM Mar. 16 th, St. Joseph at 9:30 AM Mar. 23 rd, First Lutheran at 9:30 AM Plan to attend as many as possible. Sunday Night Bible Study; 6PM in the Fireside Room. Video series is by Andy Stanley. Defining Moments

8 A Word from Pastor Tim March 2018 Newsletter Pastor Tim s Article Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12:31-33) We are coming into some of the most significant time of the church year. By the end of the month of March, we are going to be in Holy Week. Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds gather to welcome Him and shout Hosanna, to welcome Him. Maundy Thursday, Jesus gathers His disciples together in the Upper Room to eat the Last Supper. He washes their feet, teaches them about love and servanthood, and then goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. There He is betrayed by Judas, arrested by the soldiers, and deserted by the rest of the disciples. He is tried, beaten, convicted, and sentenced to death. On Good Friday, He carries His cross to Golgotha. There, He is nailed to that cross, suffers, and dies for the sake of the world, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies and accomplishing the work that is mentioned in the verses above from John 12. There are three items that Jesus mentions that will be accomplished through His death: Now is the time for judgment on this world, Now the prince of this world will be driven out, I... will draw all men to myself. Through His suffering on the cross, through His death and resurrection, all three of these things have been accomplished! Jesus has been established as the One with authority to judge the living and the dead! His death and resurrection has secured the victory over the power of the devil! And Jesus is drawing all men (and women) of all cultures and languages to Himself!

9 exalted. As we lift up and praise His name, we are declaring Him as Lord and Savior of our lives and of the world. As we do that, we join in the desire of God the Father to exalt Jesus above every name, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth! We are fulfilling the will of God, to exalt Jesus and draw all humanity to Jesus Christ, His Son, our Savior and Lord! That word that is translated, lifted up, can mean either being lifted up on the cross or being exalted. As we lift up and praise His name, we are declaring Him as Lord and Savior of our lives and of the world. As we do that, we join in the desire of God the Father to exalt Jesus above every name, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth! We are fulfilling the will of God, to exalt Jesus and draw all humanity to Jesus Christ, His Son, our Savior and Lord! Coming Up: Sunday, March 4 John 12:20-26 Sunday, March 11 John 12:27-36 Sunday, March 18 John 12:37-50 Sunday, March 25 John 12:12-19 Sunday, April 1 John 11:1-44

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