The Bellringer March 2015 Greetings Zion/Clarion Family, We are in the midst of our Lenten journey. Lent is a time of confessing our sin and our sins, but not a time to get stuck there. We do not remain in the mire and mud of our lives. We journey in the hope of forgiveness, trusting God who is bigger than our sins and our sinful nature. God first loves us. This is most certainly true. That love first coming down to us is what enables us to humbly come before his throne of grace and confess our sins. We confess knowing that we are loved no matter what. God provides a safe place for us. We trust in his love and can get real with God. We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We also confess those particular sins that reveal the depth of our sinful nature. We confess knowing that we are not condemned. We confess knowing that we have forgiveness and we ask for the power to live as forgiven people. We confess wanting to put the old sin behind us and live in new ways. We journey through Lent in the expectation that through the cross of Jesus we are made a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! We do not stop confessing, but we confess in trust and hope of new life. Easter is coming. Shalom, Pastor Kevin Our Church Website Can be found on the internet by typing: www.orgsites.com/il/ zionlutheranchurchlamoille/index.html (no spaces) Or type in search box: Zion Lutheran Church LaMoille or Zion Lutheran Clarion To reach Pastor Kevin please call: -the parsonage 815/539-7820 -the church 815/539-7029 or -his cell phone 815/303-7050. All PRAISE and PRAYER concerns are welcome. If you wish to no longer to receive Bell Ringer please contact Cara Motter at clarionbellringer@yahoo.com or 638-2101 As a way of Being Green we offer an online version. Adult Sunday School Come join us during Sunday School as we read and discuss the book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive, by Thom S. Rainer. This is the same book our Church Council is studying over the next several months. You do not need to buy the book. It is very short and simple and we will read it aloud in class and discuss together. It will help us to be the First Century Church for 21 st Century, as we seek to follow God s call to love and serve where he has put us; in this place at this time, so that the Kingdom will grow. 1
Treasurer s Report January Beginning Balance 1/01/16 $ 200.77 January Offerings 10,130.00 Refund returned items 55.38 Gift for Bible 10.00 Transfer from Savings 3,000.00 Subtotal $ 13,396.15 January Expenses 11,845.66 Ending Balance 1/31/16 $ 1,550.49 Benevolence Report January Beginning Balance 1/01/16 $ 25.00 Offerings January 530.00 Subtotal $ 555.00 Expenses: 0.00 Ending Balance 1/31/16 $ 555.00 Remaining balance for February distribution Direct checks to Mendota Christian Food Pantry - $350.00 Barb Donahue, Treasurer From Brad & Susan Rhoads - late January Mission Aviation Fellowship missionaries, www.maf.org Guess what? Thanks to your generosity as a member of our ministry partnership team, we are at 90% of or support goal! The excitement in our house is rising as we begin to make final plans for our departure to serve with the MAF-Edutech team in San Jose, Costa Rica. You continued prayers for our coming days will be vital! We have an aggressive schedule including a support-raising trip to Illinois from January 29-February 23. Then we return to Idaho where we will have 6 short weeks to finish support raising while packing and saying our good-byes. We are on target to leave April 5 th thanks to faithful supporters like you. March Birthdays 1 Erica Clapp 2 Earl Stuepfert 7 Jim Hamacher 8 Beth Barrera 13 Glenn Faber Jenica Cole 14 Bryce Martin Seth Stamberger Tim Stamberger 18 Nigel Geuther 19 Kimberly Lauer 20 Allen Novak 23 Andrew Stamberger 24 Gloria Cogdal Mady Hewitt 26 Annette Stamberger 28 Barb Donahue Baptismal Anniversaries 12 Susan Goetz 15 Lauren Motter Carson Stuepfert 22 Lindsay Hohertz 23 Craig Bauer 31 Nick Piller Tim Stamberger Wedding Anniversaries 3 Pastor Kevin and Sarah Weeks 8 Glenn and Jane Faber The money raised at the Men s Lenten Dinner support scholarships to seminary students. This year $1,000 will be given to Hector Diaz as he trains to become a Deacon at Holy Cross. Mom s Unite Hearts at Home 2016 Conference April 22-23, 2016 Peoria Civic Center Speakers: Missy Robertson, Jill Savage & Meredith Andrews many other speakers in over 20 workshops such as: The God who sees you Understanding the inner lives of men Living clutter free 8 simple tools for raising great kids more details & registration at www. Heartsa- 2
Lent Mid-Week Worship Joins us here at Clarion for worship on Wednesdays in Lent, now through March 16, as we sing Holden Evening Prayer, and hear a dialog between Luke and Theophilus/Theophilia, the one to whom he writes his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles as they discuss 6 parables that are unique to Luke s story. We will not have soup supper prior to worship which starts at 7:00pm If you want to read ahead here are the parables under discussion: Feb 17 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 Feb 24 The Rich Fool Luke 12:13-21 Mar 2 The Dishonest Manager Luke 16:1-13 Mar 9 The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 Mar 16 The Widow and the Unjust Judge and The Pharisee & the Tax Collector Luke 18:13-35 UPCOMING EVENTS Wed Feb 17 March 16, midweek worship at 7:00, NO soup supper Mar 3 6:00pm Men s Lenten Dinner at Holy Cross in Mendota Mar 20 Palm Sunday Mar 24 Maundy Thursday, 7:00pm at Baptist Church Mar 25 Good Friday, 7:00pm at Methodist Church Mar 27 Easter Sunrise, 6:30am at Clarion Easter Breakfast at Clarion 9:00worship at Clarion Apr 1-3 Quake-Zone, ZEBRAS Apr 9 Sat, 10-3, IL LCMC Gathering, Calvary Lutheran in rural Lee May 22 Last Day of Sunday School June 19-23 Tentative VBS Week 2016 Annual LCMC Pastors and Lay Leadership Gathering, Calvary Lutheran of Lee is looking forward to hosting the 2016 Annual LCMC Pastors and Lay Leadership Gathering, Saturday April 9, 10 am - 3pm. The following is our tentative agenda for the gathering. Agenda 10 am Gather in Sanctuary 10:10 Introductions 10:20 Opening Devotion / Worship 10:40 Rev. Steve Squires 'The Core of Luther's Theology' 11:10 Break 11:20 Rev. John Nelson 'Practical Helps on Stewardship' 11:30 Prayer and Lunch 12:30 Update on LCMC Rev. Martha Nelson 12:45 Joe Drought who is Head of Security at Rock Valley College will lead a Threat Assessment Seminar. Joe has put together Threat Assessment Seminars for groups of Presbyterian leaders and other churches and also businesses. He has a passion for security and safety especially for churches. 2:45 Closing worship with communion 3 pm We depart in peace. Looking forward to seeing you. Hope to see you all! Pastor Craig Nelson 3
Marriage Renewal Family Life provides dozens of Weekend to Remember events to help couples grow their marriages in the context of Christian love. Cost is $149.99 (slightly higher in some locations) plus hotel and food. This is a great investment in your marriage and is recommended by Pastor Kevin & Sarah. The weekends closer to us are: 2016 Mar 18-20 Lincolnshire Chicago Apr 29-May 1 Oak Brook -- Chicago May 20-22 Madison, WI June 3-5 Normal, IL There are several dozen more to choose from if you want an excuse to travel a bit farther. See details at www.weekendtoremember.com or www.familylife.com. Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry Amanda Herebia is the new director. They are usually in need of volunteers, especially Tue & Thu morning s to restock shelves. Call 815-538-2211 to volunteer. They are currently short on beans, beans of all kinds, canned and dried. Drop off your beans in the basket in the narthex. Lent Worship opportunities: Mendota Church Women meet for worship and fellowship at 9:30am on Wednesdays in Lent, now through March 23, at First United Methodist Church. Various congregations in Mendota host the service and the pastors, many of whom are new, will briefly introduce themselves each week. Decision America Tour 2016 with Franklin Graham - www.decisionamericatour.com Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham is planning to host a prayer gathering in each of the 50 states to help and encourage us to pray for our nation in this time of national elections. He will likely travel to Springfield this summer. Victory Baptist Church in Mendota is hosting a time of prayer at 5:00pm on several Mondays through May to pray for our nation. see poster in narthex for more details March 14 & 28 April 11 & 25 May 2, 16 & 23 Easter Sunday is March 27th, it's time to order Lilies. If you are interested in ordering please contact Colleen Stamberger or any Worship Committee member. Lilies are 10 dollars and orders need to be placed before March 14. 4
2016 Men s Lenten Dinner Thursday, March 3rd At Holy Cross Catholic Church 1010 Jefferson Street Beginning at 6:00 PM Featuring: Message in Magic Rev. John & Barbara Meyers Dinner Prepared by Kevin Goy: Roast Pork Loin & Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Corn Casserole and another Vegetable, Bread, Beverages, and Pie for Dessert Also Featuring: A Silent Pie Auction And Great Fellowship Come and bring a friend! Message in Magic Rev. John & Barbara Meyers Reverend John and Barbara Meyers live in Ottawa, Illinois. John is retired Elder in the United Methodist Church and Barbara is a retired teacher and a professional picture framer. They are currently members of several Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The art of illusions has been a part of John and Barbara s life for many years. Almost every Sunday throughout the year, they are in a church bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ through the art of magic. Their use of Scripture, Music Story telling and Magic are used to teach, to entertain, to challenging and inspire their audiences to a deeper love of God and human kind. They use a variety of presentations depending on the setting and need, but they re all God centered and God praising. Men, women, youth and children of all ages will enjoy the Message in Magic that the Meyers will be bringing, so come one and come all! 5
March Services 2016 Date Greeter Reader Piano/Organ Acolytes Communion Wed., March 2 Howard & Marion Tim S. Sarah W. Brooke M. Mady H. Sun., March 6 Barb Christy L. Myron Mady H. Noah L. Wed., March 9 Gloria Sarah W. Sarah W. Thomas S. Brooke M. Sun., March 13 Holy Communion Leslie & Cara Leslie M. Kristi Noah L. Collette M. Kim L & Larry F. Wed., March 16 Elwin Chris S. Sarah W. Collette M. Brooke M. Sun., March 20 Don & Christy Jayson & Andrew S. Kristi Brooke M. Mady H. Thur., March 24 Baptist Church Fri., March 25 Methodist Church Sun., March 27 Sunrise @ Clarion 6:30 a.m. Easter Holy Communion Howard & Marion (Sunrise) Barb (Easter 9:00 a.m.) Thomas S. Myron -(Sunrise) Kristi (Easter ) Sunrise Mady H. Thomas S. Easter 9:00 a.m. - Thomas S. Noah L. Sarah W. & Christy L. Head Usher: Don Kyle Easter Sunday is March 27th, it's time to order Lilies. If you are interested in ordering please contact Colleen Stamberger or any Worship Committee member. Lilies are 10 dollars and orders need to be placed before March 14. 6
March 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 6 13 Holy Communion 20 Palm Sunday 27 Easter Sunrise @ Clarion 6:30 a.m. Holy Communion 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 Council Meeting 21 22 Worship Committee 16 3 Sewing Day 8:30-11:30 a.m. Parish Education 4 5 10 11 12 17 Sewing Day 8:30-11:30 a.m. 23 24 Maundy Thursday Baptist Church 28 29 30 31 18 19 25 Good Friday Methodist Church 26 7
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 27182 3320 East Street La Moille, Illinois 61330 Address Service Requested March 2016 8