March 2018 OUR MISSION To welcome and lead all to Christ

Transcription

1 REFLECTIONS Lutheran Church of the Resurrection 525 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL Phone: (321) Website: Follow us on Facebook March 2018 OUR MISSION To welcome and lead all to Christ

2 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This afternoon I watched in silence as the last of Fay Lawrence s home was demolished. Not one cinderblock was left upon another. It was a sobering sight. Directly across from the sanctuary, it was hard to miss. I thought of her time as secretary when I first arrived at LCR in 1996, and of the times, just a few years ago, when I visited her there near the end of her life. And, now, all is torn down. It made me think about the cloud that follows each one of us: death. Is that how it ends? All that we loved, ripped down and forgotten? While the season of Lent encourages us not to avert our eyes like Scrooge looking at his own tombstone we await the promise of Easter. Though we inhabit this earth for only a short time, the Father has promised us a place of blessedness beyond the bulldozers. A life where we will be given a new, indestructible, spiritual body (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-58). Even better, we will not go it alone. We will be with the Lord and reunited with those we have loved in this life! We will be given insight and understanding about the things of this life that baffled us, For then will shall understand fully, even as we are fully understood. 1 Corinthians 13:12. We are also promised in the first passage above that what is sown (buried) in weakness, will be raised in power. Our physical ailments gone, eternity ahead of us, our loved ones by our side that s the promise of Easter!! So, bulldozer, do your worst! Lent and Easter Blessings, Pastor Jay

3 Council Members Dr. Michael Miller, President Jim Stark, Vice-President Ann Fosburr, Secretary Jenn Billingham, Fellowship Property, Mitch Wilson (Buildings) Ben Troemel (Grounds) Alfred Domschke (Administration) Bill Bond, Stewardship Marilyn Sorenson, Social Ministry Kathy Lueders, Evangelism Christian Education Debbie Rescott, Treasurer (Advisor) Michelle Davis, Financial Sec. (Advisor) Angelika Domschke, Worship The Church Council meeting was held on February 6th and here are some highlights of discussions and decisions. Pastor began the meeting with a devotion and prayer The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved. The agenda was set. - Financial Secretary s report Giving in January fell behind anticipated amounts, but kept up with expenditures. - Treasurer s report posted in fellowship and available upon request. - Evangelism no report - Worship committee The theme for the midweek Lenten services will be Stations of the Cross. Plans are underway to install a visual monitor in the choir loft so that choir members can see what is happening in the front of the church. A team has been put together to find the right equipment. Some complaints were received concerning the size of poinsettias this Christmas. ACE Hardware is looking for a new source of the plants. The committee decided to use palm fronds for the Palm Sunday service this year rather than the palm crosses. - Fellowship committee Signup sheets are out for the midweek Lenten soup suppers. Sundays are available to sponsor the social time. - Social Ministry Marilyn has been busy restocking shelves. Also getting the word out about what we do. Many thanks to the youth who served 60 hamburgers to our pantry clients last month. Emergency boxes were received. They were filled with tuna, chips, drinks, and cookies. They will be distributed to those in need. - Property committee The door to the kitchen was replaced. Dave L. will paint it. Kayaks that had been stored in the property shed were placed on the rack and locked. Replaced lock to the main door to the fellowship hall. The dock will be cleaned and sealed. We will soon determine the size of the roof replacement and get bids. Guidelines will be drawn up for those using the Ministry Center after office hours lights have been left on and thermostats not reset. - Old Business - Voted on officers for Michael Miller, president; Jim Stark, vice president; Ann Fosburr, secretary. - The agenda for the upcoming congregational meeting was approved. - An update was given on the recent donation of a house. A price was set to begin the negotiating. Jenn Billingham was authorized by council to negotiate and sell the house. - Audit Committee report suggested a few changes but, overall, the financial management is good. - Update on mortgage refinance If we buy down the mortgage using a majority of the proceeds from the house sale, our payments could go from $4,375 to $1,811 per month. - Stewardship Program update the conclusion of our Simply Giving program will include a commitment between the individual member (family) and God. No one at the church will see the pledge. It will be in a sealed envelope, addressed by the member, that will be sent back to that member (family) in July to remind them of their pledge. Continued on next page.

4 Continued from previous page. - The Ministry Fair will be held on the first weekend in March. Time and Talent forms will be filled out the next weekend in worship. - New Business - The name of our fire alarm monitoring system has changed. - Youth funds available from the Thompson Fund this year is $2, The council discussed, and will begin, paying invoices online. Paychecks will also now be paid by automatic deposit. This will begin at the end of February. - It was decided that outside activities (like music lessons) will not be held during our morning worship time. No outside activities will begin until 1:00 p.m. An article on New Members being received March 17 th and 18 th. March Birthdays 3/1 Charlotte Busse 3/2 Max Kellogg 3/5 Carolyn Engstrand 3/6 Alice Schneck Bonnie Whiting 3/7 Elaine Jensen 3/10 Lois Martin Rick Stees 3/13 Jim Gray Laurie Gray Kathy Martz 3/15 Dave Martz 3/16 Galen Leintz 3/18 Diane Stees 3/19 Linda Jones 3/20 Richard Crowell 3/22 Ruth Bleakley Sherri Salisbury 3/23 Debbie Bensen 3/26 Michael Kennedy 3/27 Donna Nelson 3/28 Suzanne Bellair Jennifer Billingham 3/30 Alexander Stankie 3/31 Jake Galzerano March Anniversaries 3/7 Keith & Christine Garnett Jim & Laurie Gray 3/16 Tom & Margaret Corey 3/20 Jim & Helen Susko 3/21 Gary & Carole LeBrecht 3/26 Peter & Julie Palm 3/29 Ken & Elaine Phares 3/31 Charles & Jean Freeman

5 The Saturday morning work crew keeps our property safe and beautiful. The time of service runs from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. If you would like to help out, just show up at the maintenance shed on the west side of our property. The morning concludes with donuts and coffee. You may also do tasks on your own schedule just call the office for details. Thanks! Open Invitation to Join Our Prayer Chain: The Prayer Chain is an excellent way for you to serve those in need, by praying for them. The duty of a Prayer Chain member is simply to converse with God on behalf of the person the prayer is requested for, and pass on the request to the next person on your Prayer Chain List. If interested please call Marge Hinds through the church office. Healing prayers with the laying on of hands and anointing is held immediately following 8:30 worship on the third Sunday of the month for March. Book Club will resume on March 13th with Dressmakers Dowry by Meridith Jaeger. Please bring a sandwich and drink for yourself. Eat, Pray, Love! Women s Fellowship Group will be meeting Thursday, March 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. We meet at 9:00 am in the Ministry Center Breakroom. All women are invited to join us. I ll have the coffee brewing and look forward to seeing you! Eat, Pray, Love is currently in a book by Liz Curtis Higgs, The Women of Easter. This book is available on Amazon. I can be reached via at 3eatpryalove@gmail.com or through the church office Ladies Fellowship. Please join us on Thursday, March 1st at 9:00am for a time of fellowship, breakfast, and to connect with women of our church of all ages. We will be meeting at Southern Charm Café located at 8501 Astronaut Blvd. Suite 7, Cape Canaveral. Our reservation will be under Libby in the new larger room. ladiesbreakfastfellowship@gmail.com. Adult Sunday School. LCR would like to thank Pastor Dan Lambrides for leading Adult Bible Study in February. On Sunday, March 4th and March 11th at 10:00 am, Pastor John Lynch will be concluding his Adult Bible Study on the topic of Revelation. Please attend. Resurrection of the Beach Clean-up. Starting in March (24th), on the 4th Saturday of every month from 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. there will be a Beach Clean Up beginning at the Minuteman Causeway beach access (near the tikis). In conjunction with Living Green at LCR, Bob Whittle has created this continuous event to help maintain our beautiful beaches. Service hours also can be earned with this project. If you have any questions please contact Bob Whittle through the church office.

6 MARCH MINISTRY CENTER EVENTS Compassionate Friends Tuesday, March 6th A Special Occasion Music-Music Lessons Afternoons-By Appointment Greeting Card Ministry Saturday, March 10th Book Club Monday, March 12th J-Walkers Youth Group Sunday, March 11th (12:20 p.m.) Discussion on School Shootings Saturday, March 17th (10:00 am to 12:30 pm) Youth Service Day Sunday, March 25th (12:30-2:30) Kayaking Day EFSC Lab School Tuesday, March 13th & 28th Wednesday, March 21st Thursday, March 8th Eat, Pray, Love Women s Fellowship Group Thursday, March 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th Contact: Church Office 6:00 p.m. Contact: Joe & Lynn Gray Contact: Heather Sisson or Church Office 10:00 am Contact: Julie Palm 12:00 noon Conference Center 6:00 pm Contact: Libby VanZino 9:00 am Tiger & Wolf Scouts -Rm #3 Wednesday, March 14th & 21th Contact: Church Office Thursday, March 15th & 22nd 6:00 pm Women s Monday Morning Bible Study Mondays, March 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th Location: Contact Church Office Contact: Marge Hinds 10:00 am Evangelism Shabdkosh (Hindi), Faste (Norwegian), Lenz (German), Prestai (Italian), Cuaresmao (Spanish). Recently I googled the term Lent, I realized that this is a season that is shared across the world. It is heartening while we are preparing for Easter to realize that we are in a community all readying our hearts during this Lenten season. Being part of that community strengthens us for the daily challenges of our lives. We all know people who could benefit from being in this community and as our church tagline states All are welcome here! Please welcome your friends, co-workers, and neighbors to be part of our community. We are still needing folks that are interested in coming up with great ideas for ways to reach out to our community so please stop by the Evangelism table (candy will be provided to all who stop by) or drop a line at lekjhorne@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out the Evangelism committee.

7 EASTER LILIES You will be able to order an Easter lily for Easter worship. Lilies may be donated in honor or in memory of a loved one. Deadline to turn in your request is March 25th. Would you like to join our congregation? We will be receiving new members at all services on the weekend of March 17 and March 18. Please let the pastor know if you are interested in becoming an official part of our church family. We d love to have you!

8 First Communion If you would like for your child to participate in the classes, please let the pastor know. The course consists of three short sessions directly after the 8:30 am worship on Sunday, March 4rd, 11th, and 25th with First Communion received on Easter Sunday, April 1st. LCR MINISTRY FAIR Sunday, March 4th, LCR will be holding its annual Ministry Fair. Each ministry is represented with information to interest you in becoming more involved in that particular ministry. Please come by the Fellowship Hall after 8:30 am worship to see what there is for you. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11 On Saturday, March 10th, and Sunday, March 11th, we will fill out Time and Talent Volunteer forms. Please take the time to review each ministry (you may have learned about them during the Ministry Fair) on the sheet, and mark what service you would like to do at Resurrection. Please turn them in either by placing them in the plate or giving them to an usher. Thanks so much.

9 SOCIAL MINISTRIES AT LCR Food Pantry: The featured items for the Food Pantry are listed below: (Please bring them to the shopping cart in the Sanctuary or basket in the Fellowship Hall) 3/4 - Beef Stew or Corned Beef Hash 3/11 - Spam 3/18 - Jelly 3/25 - Pasta Sauce Thank you for your gifts and would love to boost this month s donation. We are in need of razors, deodorant, and toothpaste. Please give from the heart. PANTRY HOURS: The first 4 Saturdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. BIKE MINISTRY: 2nd and 3rd Saturday of every month. 10:00-12:00 noon. LCR does not accept clothing donations: If you have clothing donations we suggest Cocoa Beach Community Church Thrift Shop. Have an overflowing piggy bank at home?? Share your coins with the Laundry Ministry at LCR. Each month we give the gift of clean clothes to our homeless friends and pantry clients at a local laundromat. Your coins bring smiles to many faces! We never realized that the homeless see their clothing as disposable, but it makes sense. Imagine wearing the same clothes in this heat for weeks at a time! Such clothes get to the point where they are unwearable. Now, the homeless and those in economic distress have a chance to wash and renew that clothing. One less shirt in a landfill, and good stewardship of God s gifts! The giving of loose change to the laundry buckets in the church narthex and fellowship hall has fallen off over the summer time to raid the piggy bank! LCR is doing GREAT things! Thank you for your financial support now, but have you thought about leaving a legacy after you leave this world? Contact your financial consultant or church office for ideas. Thank you!

10 On Wednesdays until Holy Week, we will gather for a light soup and sandwich supper at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Please bring one sandwich to share (when you arrive, it will be cut into quarters to be shared). Please do not bring more than one sandwich if everyone brings one, nothing will go to waste. There will be a sign up available to bring soup. Once again, please don t bring soup unless you ve signed up for a specific date. Thanks! This time of fellowship will be followed by a brief Lenten service in the sanctuary. If you would like to join the choir, they will meet immediately after the service for practice at 7:30 p.m. We invite you to join us in our fellowship and worship. Lent helps us to prepare our hearts and lives to fully appreciate and live-out the Easter good news! HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE (Note: There is no Wednesday worship in Holy Week) Sunday, March 25th - Palm Sunday - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 29th - Maundy Thursday - 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 30th - Silent Prayer Vigil - 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 30th - Good Friday - 7:00 p.m. Choir Cantata Saturday, March 31st - No Service (Join us Easter morning!) Sunday, April 1st - Easter Sunday - 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 9:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast / 10:15 a.m. Egg Hunt 11:00 a.m. Blended Worship You will be able to order an Easter lily for Easter worship. Lilies may be donated in honor or in memory of a loved one. There will also be a wire cross you can decorate with flowers on Easter morning.

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12 Helpers Needed Throughout March For LCR Landscape Grant Project Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB), a local non-profit organization whose mission is to develop, motivate, educate and activate community partners to reduce litter, recycle, beautify, and sustain the environment for the benefit of Brevard County, has awarded Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (LCR) a Florida Friendly Landscape Grant in the sum of $910 to refresh the landscaping in the three beds by the covered drop off area. The deadline for completing the project is April 30 th, however, we are going to try to have the bulk of it completed by Easter (April 1 st ). Workdays are needed to remove the wooden beam borders, sod, and existing landscaping, and to design and install the labyrinth and trinity symbols, new landscaping, and mulch. Volunteers are needed on Saturday mornings throughout March 3/3, 3/10, 3/17 and 3/24. Meet at 9 am Some work may be done on other days too. Announcements will be made prior to church services. dianestees@cfl.rr.com if you have a truck to haul mulch, to confirm workday dates/times and to volunteer. Thank you to those who have already volunteered! LCR Now Has A Beach Cleanup Team! Bob Whittle has started a beach cleanup team to pick up litter on the beach at the end of Minutemen Causeway on the 4 th Saturday of the month, 8-10 am. Volunteer hours and other info will be sent to Keep Brevard Beautiful as part of their Adopt An Area program. Meet at the tall tikis on the beach near Coconuts. Gloves, litter grabbers, bags and 5-gallon buckets will be provided. Contact Bob by phone through church office or bigwhit72@yahoo.com for more information. Next LCR Beach Cleanup: Saturday, 3/24 th 8-10 am Meet at end of Minutemen Causeway at the tikis Thousand Islands Cleanup From LCR Dock Is Saturday, April 7 th (Save The Date) Saturday, 4/7, 8 am-noon Volunteers are needed for the north Thousand Islands Cleanup from the LCR dock. This event is part of Keep Brevard Beautiful s annual countywide Trash Bash. The city of Cocoa Beach, Surfrider Foundation, Friends of the Thousand Islands, and other organizations participate. The city provides a boat for transportation to and from the islands. If you can bring a power boat or kayak to help out, please do. In addition, Fin Expeditions will be providing complimentary kayaks for our use. For more information, call the church office at (321)

13 MARCH J-WALKER S NEWS! Sunday, March 11th (12:20 p.m.) Discussion about School Safety Join us in discussion about the horrific event that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Let s talk about your feelings, how we can attempt to prevent events like this from happening in the future, what you can do if you think someone needs help, and where to go if you need a locals safe place. Saturday, March 17th (10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Youth Service Saturday Come out to prepare lunch for our friends! We meet under the tree in front of our Memorial Garden, and will be grilling and serving hamburgers outside, under the trees. Please invite your friends. This can count towards service hours too! Sunday, 25th (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) J-Walkers Kayaking Day Lets use our kayaks now that the weather is so beautiful! Join the youth in kayaking by bringing your own kayak (if you have one) or by borrowing one of our kayaks stored at the church! Please bring a life jacket if you have one or let Sarah know if you need one. Please be sure to wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. Water shoes or flip flops are recommended. GATHERING IN HOUSTON Dates: June 26th to July 1st Combined youth attending from Advent Lutheran and our church. Seven youth and 3 adult chaperones. We will be flying there and staying in the Courtyard Galleria. Theme: This Changes Everything! Mass worship will be held everyday at the NRG Stadium. Still collecting donations towards the expenses for this trip. For your information: J-Walkers Instagram: