A Message From Pastor Woods

Transcription

1 February, 2018 A Message From Pastor Woods Dear Friends, In just a few weeks we will enter the season of Lent. In my opinion, Lent is the most important season of the church year. By calling us to reflect on our sins (and we all have them!) it reminds us of two things that are foundational to our faith. First, we are all sinners in need of forgiveness which can come only from God. When we consider this, it clarifies in our minds what we might call our position in relation to God. We are not consumers of His favors, we are penitents who desperately need forgiveness. Being aware of this is called repentance. Second, God, who is rich in mercy and love, has paid a terrible price in order to bestow this forgiveness upon us. We were, as the Scriptures say, bought at a price and the price was steep. Under the Old Covenant, it took the blood of bulls and goats and lambs shed on the altars of Israel fifteen-hundred years to atone for the sins of the Israelites. But it took the precious blood of God s own Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins a far greater price. We ve heard it all before and by the dint of repetition it has lost a lot of its power. That s why Lent is so important. Framed by Ash Wednesday, when we are brought face to face with the fact that we are all walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and Good Friday, when we face squarely the horror of our Savior s suffering and death, Lent restores a sense of reality to our spiritual lives. It inspires in us a deep sense of gratitude, of thankfulness to God for all He has done for us. In our Sunday morning adult Bible classes during Lent we will be talking about the nature and fruits of repentance and how they can free our spirits and enrich our daily lives. I invite you to join us! Pastor Woods Worship Schedule 9 AM Adult Sunday School 10 AM Worship Service Children s Sunday School

2 Page 2 Voice of the Martyrs Movie Event The testimony of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand has been read by millions in his bestselling book Tortured for Christ, and that dramatic testimony can now be seen in theaters across the country beginning March 5, Buy your tickets now at torturedforchrist.com. More than 700 theaters across the United States have agreed to air this powerful new movie under one condition: Each theater must sell a minimum number of tickets in order to show the film. Order your tickets online to ensure that you and others are able to see this powerful story, filmed on location in Romania, on the big screen. When you purchase tickets, you will be helping to share the dramatic testimony of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand. Tortured for Christ the Movie 7:30 PM on March 5 at the Valley View Theater Women of Hope A BIG THANK YOU...To all who donated money or items to the LMM Men s Homeless Shelter at 2100 Lakeside project. The Women of Hope donated items as an entry fee to play Pokeno. Ruth G. was the queen of Pokeno winning several games, but being generous to let others have a prize. Thank you Cheryl for organizing the fun afternoon and providing snacks and thanks to Thrivent and Lori for sponsoring this mission outreach through an Action Team Grant. "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalms 37:4)

3 Page 3 News from our Missionary SERMON SCHEDULE February 4 "Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?" Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer There's much in science that witnesses to God. Dr. Meyer says telescopes and microscopes can further evangelism more than soap boxes. (Isaiah 40:21-31 (The almighty God of all creation)) February 11 "Was Blind, But Now I See" Speaker Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus Would you rather be blind or visioned? That's an easy one. But, how does a spiritually blind person become seeing (2 Corinthians 4:3) February 18 "Pay Attention to What You Hear (Mark 4:24) " Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer Lent calls us to take deep into our being the life-changing words of God. The result? Obedience, changes in desires, and blessings. (James 1:12-18) February 25 "Living and Dying" Speaker Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus Looking at sinful mankind, Jesus found what he was willing to die, and to live for. Are we willing to do the same? (Romans 5:1-11) Pretzel Sunday March 18 During Sunday School Pretzel Sunday will be March 18. Children will make pretzels during the Sunday School Hour and will have them available for enjoying after the service that Sunday. Plan on staying for this annual event. KSU Fashion Museum The 1940s was a tumultuous period in history and the fashions of the time reflected the upheaval. World War II led to restrictions on what Americans and Europeans could wear because of rationing for civilian populations and uniforms for those who enlisted. Join the Women of Hope on a visit to the Kent State University Fashion Museum. Plans are underway for a field trip to Kent to see the display of 1940 s fashions on Sunday, February 18. Those wishing to go should meet at Hope at 11:30 a.m. to car pool. A place for lunch is yet to be determined. Questions? See Cheryl or Becky. New Women s Bible Study NEW WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY: A new Women s Every Other Saturday Bible Study (weosbs) begins with an organizational meeting on Saturday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. The ladies will be studying Pilgrim s Progress in Today s English by Paul Bunyan retold by Thomas Jamesh. The study guide contains 11 lessons. If you are interested in sitting in on a lesson let Becky or Cheryl know so materials can be arranged. It should be interesting! "Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart." -Author Unknown

4 Page 4 Server s List Date Music Worship Assistant Greeters Ushers Reader Acolyte Communion PPT/Sermons February 4 Lori Fred Sheila Donna February 11 Lynn Chris Judy Carol Bob Paul Dan Dave R. Lynn R. Wyatt Donna Andy SERMON Judy Griffin None Dawn SERMON & PPT February 14 Ash Wed. 7:30 PM Lori Fred Sheila George Anthony Sheila Ava Donna Andy SERMON February 18 Lori Andy Anthony Ruth Colin Dave B. Melissa Stella Carol Karen Dan SERMON February 25 Lynn Bob Carol Lynn R. Anthony George Karen Auston None Dan SERMON & PPT Plan ahead our book for April is Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. We will be meeting at Susan s house where we will discuss the book and learn to tie scarves. Bring one scarf, or all your scarves and learn creative ways to dress up your wardrobe. In the 1920s, the Osage found themselves in a unique position among Native Americans tribes. As other tribal lands were parceled out in an effort by the government to encourage dissolution and assimilation of both lands and culture, the Osage negotiated to maintain the mineral rights for their corner of Oklahoma, creating a kind of underground reservation. It proved a savvy move; soon countless oil rigs punctured the dusty landscape, making the Osage very rich. And that s when they started dying. This is an award-winning true crime book. Please book Master calendar appointments with Dawn! She can be reached at OR dghlc456@gmail.com. You can check the calendar and mark it if the day and time are free, but please let Dawn know about it. Thank you. Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January. ~Jim Gaffigan

5 Page 5 Supporting Missionaries George and Cheryl recently returned from a trip to the island of Providenciales, s an island in the northwest Caicos Islands They were able to attend a Missionary church started by their friends. In the picture, you see Eddy, who works six days a week starting at 6:30 in the morning. He has off between 11 and 1 and finishes up at The work is very physical and there is no place provided for rest or food for meals. Eddy and others will rest on the floor of the kiosk where they hand out towels. Eddy s day starts by setting up umbrellas in the sand which have to be pushed in deep enough so they don't fall over on the guests. Sometimes having to use a drill. Every night they are taken down. If it rains heavy at all during the day the umbrellas are taken down and if the sun comes back out again they are put back up. Eddy is also seen preaching at the mission church on Sunday. New Acolytes! Be watching for three new acolytes to be serving. Olivia K., Griffin W. and Wyatt M. spent an hour learning the ins and outs of acolyting and will be serving the Lord and Hope during worship. "The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist." -- Pope St. Gregory the Great

6 Hope Monthly February, Lenten Services Ash Wednesday February 14 7:30 PM David R. 14 Donna M. 20 Debi S. 28 Sunday Evening Services Feb 18 March 18 5:30 PM Service 6:00 PM Light Supper Members are asked to sign up to provide food for the supper. Hope Lutheran Church 456 S. Chillicothe Rd. Aurora, OH Congregational President Dan Coleman Phone: Prayer Chain Captain Debi Schuster Home Rev. Powell Woods, Minister church home cell Jennifer Lynagh, Director Pre-School Director