All Saints Lutheran Church Fitchburg, WI February Lent 2017

Transcription

1 All Saints Newsletter All Saints Lutheran Church Fitchburg, WI February 2017 Lent 2017 What s on your calendar? W ednesday, March 1, marks the beginning of one of the most important times in the yearly church calendar. On that date, we observe Ash Wednesday, beginning the Lenten journey of reflection and remembrance. During Lent 2017, we will continue many All Saints traditions such as Wednesday night potlucks and Midweek worship, the Lenten drama, and the Good Friday cantata. Our time together, from the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday through the joyous celebrations on Easter Sunday, is an important opportunity for people of all ages and to renew and enrich their faith as we journey together. We look forward to knowing, sharing, and following Jesus with you in Lent 2017! All Saints Calendar Lent 2017 March 1 Ash Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Service with imposition of Ashes March 8 April 5 Potluck 5:30 6:25 p.m. in Fellowship Hall prior to Midweek services March 8 April 5 Midweek Services 6:30 p.m. Featuring the Tree of Life, a Lenten drama written and directed by mission partner Gary Kriesel. Offerings gathered at these services will be shared with the Madison Area Jail Ministry. April 9 Palm Sunday Classic Worship 8:30, New Song Worship 10:45 April 13 Maundy Thursday Communion Worship 7:00 p.m. April 14 Good Friday Good Friday Cantata 7:00 p.m. April 16 Easter Sunday Easter Services 8:00, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.

2 Voices... Letter from Pastor Rich Refugees T here is the story of a refugee family that lingers for me. I read it again at the tail end of the Christmas narrative last month. Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet, Out of Egypt I have called my son. Matthew 2:15 We ve read and heard much on the refugee and immigration crisis. I use the word crisis not only because of the massive debate but because of the record numbers of people fleeing for their very lives. W hat is our Lutheran Christian positon on this? Positions are important. But they must also have legs. They need to move us to action. From the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) I read our position: Witnessing to God s love for all people, we stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees, transforming communities through ministries of service and justice. It s not a question of if we welcome refugees. Rather, how do we give voice to those who have no voice? How do we speak with those who cannot speak because they are riddled in fear or too sick to talk? Jesus does not give us wide berth in this. He commands us to welcome the stranger along with those who need clothing, food and are in jail. Let your voice be known. It is for the sake of Christ, and for the sake of those who have little or no voice in our world. What will you do? Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 12 Don t forget to set your clocks ahead!!

3 In Community... Jail Ministry Winter Clothing Drive Another Great Year for Sharing the Warmth! The 2016 Jail Ministry drive is over and, thanks to the All Saints congregation s generosity, many will be blessed as they prepare to return to our communities this winter. Your caring is seen in the final count of donated items: 62 Coats/Jackets (29 more than last year) 75 Gloves/Mittens 60 Hats 35 Scarves TOTAL: 232 CLOTHING ITEMS Prayers for the community... Thanks be to God for the 50 th Anniversary of the Madison Area Jail Ministry. Blessings on current chaplains, Rev. Dr. Julia Weaver and Chaplain Christa Fisher, at the Dane County Jail We are grateful to God and donors for the non-perishable food items shared with friends at St. Mark s Lutheran Church, Madison, on the 2 nd and 3 rd Sunday of the month Prayers for Pastor Lori and the St. Mark s Congregational Council We pray for the vital work of Lutheran Social Service of WI and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, for their work to flourish and find new homes for immigrants

4 In Community Sunday School Service Project Books and Warmth Drive for the One City Early Learning Center Each Spring, our Sunday Schooler's partake in a service project and we are currently in the midst of our 2017 project. We are having a book and winter clothing drive that will benefit One City Early Learning Center, an early childhood literacy center on Madison's South side. Take a look at the fabulous bulletin board in the hallway between the Sunday school rooms (thank you, Leigh!) and check out wish list titles of books that the center is requesting. Take the card from the board, and bring in the donation. A collection bin for books is in the 2/3 classroom. Also, go through your current book collection, and if you have books in very good condition, please feel free to pass those along too. Easy as pie! In addition to the book drive, we are also collecting winter hats, scarves, mittens & gloves for the children who use the literacy center. God is caught, and He is taught, and service projects are a wonderful way to demonstrate to kids how when we care for others, we are obedient to God's will. Thank you for your generosity and support of our initiative to engage our youngest mission partners in God s Work, Our Hands! Please feel free to contact Leigh Luedke, Heather Quartaro, or Ronda Beggs with any questions about this project. God s Work, Our Hands Seeking Volunteer Servers for Saint Mark s Meals Four times a year, volunteers from All Saints help to serve the Friday meals at St. Marks Lutheran Church. On our days to help, All Saints volunteers comprise 90% of the participants for serving meals to 100+ attendees. Helpers are needed for all, or part, of the shift from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Our remaining 2017 service dates are: April 28 August 4 November 3 All Saints has been generous with its help in the past. We hope you will continue sharing your time with this ministry and invite new friends to join us.

5 In Community... Adult Discovery and Discussion Topics Adult Discovery and Discussion. All are welcome for lively study and discussion on topics of faith and life. A.D. is in fellowship hall, Sundays, 9:45-10:30a.m. Childcare is provided in the nursery. February 19: Summer Camp Sunday is designed for kids and adults. This event features displays and personnel from Wisconsin s Christian Bible camps. March 5 & 19: Service Team Huddle: Greeting Guests & Members. This is a primer on how we welcome guests. This is especially helpful for service team greeters and ushers. What are the three keys to open the welcome door? The same session will be offered on March 5 and 19. March 12: March 26 : Coffee with Council & Pastor. Congregational Council invites you to an open forum on council direction, decisions, and other items you have on the ministry of All Saints. In Support of Military Personnel, Veterans and Their Families: What is PTSD? Featuring Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Messina, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Middleton, WI. Dr. Messina is director of the PTSD Clinical Team and a clinical associate professor. ELCA LEAD 2017 Growing Together, Bearing Fruit March 11 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) is a day of worship, inspiring presentations and workshops designed for congregational lay leaders and pastors. Workshops will offer best practices and practical ideas for moving your ministry forward in positive ways. The day includes: Worship, Workshops, Generous Time for Collegiality and Networking, Refreshments and Lunch, Displays from Lutheran-Affiliated Organizations, and Childcare. This year s LEAD features a keynote address by Rev. Kurt Hendel, Professor Emeritus of Reformation History, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, who will speak on the topic: "Luther's Hidden and Revealed God: Implications for Inter-religious Dialogue and Christian Witness. Please contact Jen Barakat for more information on LEAD 2017 and registration for the event! I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

6 To Know, Follow, Share... The All Saints chapter of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets on 2nd Mondays of the month, September-May. Child care check-in begins at 9:15am and the meeting starts at 9:30am in Fellowship Hall. We offer three separate rooms for child care: the nursery for infants and two preschool rooms for older kiddos. Mothers, Aunts, Grandmas - all women who are providing care for children between the ages of preschool and kindergarten are welcome to join us for food, fellowship, a time for devotion, and fun! Upcoming meetings are March 13, April 10 and May 8 Seeking: All Saints Property Team Coordinator! We are looking for a team leader to work with our Ministry Coordinator, Jen Barakat, in organizing our awesome teams of volunteers through the Spring, Summer and Fall months to address a range of needs around our property. These needs include lawn & landscaping maintenance, building needs, and scheduling events to clean out the attic, reorganize the shed and hauling debris to the recycle center & landfill. When you volunteer, you ll find that this ministry is tangibly rewarding and satisfying! For more information contact Jen Barakat at jenbarakat@allsaints-madison.org, or (608) , ext Next New Member Session We invite you to become a member of All Saints in the New Year! Please join us for a new member session to explore: What we are about How we journey together Next steps to grow in Christian faith and service! Saturday, April 8 9:30 11:00 a.m. Pastor s Study (Childcare provided upon request)

7 All Saints News & Notes... Seeking Coordinator for All Saints Service to Saint Mark s Meals We are seeking a new coordinator for All Saints service to Saint Mark s meals on four Fridays each year. Gail Greuel has coordinated this ministry in recent years, and is available to help the new coordinator learn about the details of this role. We thank you, Gail, for your time and commitment to this ministry! To learn more about the role of coordinator, please contact Jen Barakat at What to do When the Weather Outside is Frightful Assume that worship at All Saints will go on as scheduled. To check on weather-related cancellations, listen to the recorded message at the All Saints phone number: 608/ Also, Note... QR Giving Option: If you use a smart phone you can scan the QR symbol and it will direct you to the GIVING page on All Saints website: Newsletter articles are due the first Monday morning of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the office. Items are subject to editing due to space availability. Congregation Council Meeting Approved Minutes copies are available in the church office. For a calendar of All Saints events, go to Church Staff Pastor Richard A. Johnson Phone: Home Phone: pastorrich@allsaints-madison.org Ministry Coordinator Jennifer Barakat (Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Mon. Wed.) (Phone: , ext. 103; jenbarakat@allsaints-madison.org) Adult Choir/Joyful Noise/Handbell Choir Director Nancy Pokorney ( ) New Song Director Melanie Wulfekuhle ( melanie.wulfekuhle@gmail.com) Accompanists......Yana Avedyan, Lead Pianist; Janet Johnson, Nancy Pokorney, Kristin Warner Sunday School Contacts......Ronda Beggs & Leigh Luedtke ( rondabeggs@sbcglobal.net or jimandleigh@gmail.com) Office (Phone: )( office@allsaints-madison.org) Childcare Staff Person Chris Carollo-Zeuner Custodian Dennis Ahnen

8 To Know, Follow, and Share Jesus All Saints Lutheran Church 2951 Chapel Valley Road Fitchburg, WI (608)276-PRAY Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Madison, WI Permit #559 Published Monthly Issue No. 368 Join us for Worship! All are welcome Childcare provided at both services Sunday Worship Times 8:30 a.m. Classic Worship 10:45 a.m. New Song Worship 9:40 a.m. Christian Education For All Ages A full listing of Lenten and Easter Services appears on page 1 of this newsletter.