March 2010 Sacred News Our Savior s/opdal Lutheran Church 400 First Avenue, PO Box 159, Sacred Heart, MN 56285 Phone: 320-765-8823 E-mail: oslcopdalparish@hcinet.net Website: http://oursaviorsopdal.lutheranweb.net I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Pastor Dale s Letter 2 Baptisms Funerals Hospice Good Grief 3 Council Update 4 Worship Hosts WELCA Spring Gathering 5 Holy Week Schedule March 28: Palm Sunday normal worship times April 1: Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Worship at Our Savior s April 2: Good Friday 7:00 p.m. Worship at Our Savior s April 4: The Resurrection of our Lord 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship at Our Savior s 7:30-8:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast at Our Savior s 9:00 a.m. Festive Easter Worship at Our Savior s 10:30 a.m. Festive Easter Worship at Opdal Can you help? Easter lilies are needed to decorate the sanctuaries If you would like to donate money in memory of someone, please send the donation to the church office (or stop in) along with the name (s). Please Help as We Begin this Mission Project! Open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in the land. March 7: Bring boxed mixes March 14: Bring breakfast food March 21: Bring pasta, rice, sauces March 28: Bring canned goods Donations will be given to the Renville County Food Shelf. For monetary donations, the Hunger Jug is also in the narthex. Deuteronomy 15:11
Page 2 We are in the middle of our Lenten Journey. The Lenten season in some form has been with Christians for almost 2,000 years. Here are some history and facts about the season we call Lent. Lent began as a two day fast. The Friday and Saturday before Easter Sunday. What do I mean by fast. This goes back to our Jewish roots. It was common practice for Jews to fast in preparation for upcoming religious festival. Since the first Christians were Jews, they continued this practice in Christian worship. In the third century this fast became a week long, from Palm/Passion Sunday through Easter Sunday. In the fourth century at the first Council of Nicea, this fast was extended to biblical 40 days. The word Lent comes from the Old English root lengten meaning spring, the time when day light was increasing. The 40 days of Lent are weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday is always a feast day and thus is not counted in the 40 days. Since the 40 days of Lent were intended as a period of discipline and fasting the days before Ash Wednesday took on the character of a feast. These celebrations had many names throughout Europe: Germany fastnacht (meaning the the night before the fast ); France mardi gras (meaning fat Tuesday. Foods rich in oils and fat were forbidden during Lent); Spain/Italy carnivale (meaning farwell to meat. In the middle ages not red meat was allowed to be eaten during Lent). England shrove Tuesday (The word shrive means to forgive and refers to the confession and forgiveness given at worship on that Tuesday.) Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The date of Ash Wednesday is determined by the date of Easter. Easter is determined in the following way: Easter is on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon that occurs after the first full day of spring (March 21 st ). Find the date of Easter and count back 40 days, remembering to skip Sundays and you have Ash Wednesday. That is why Easter and Ash Wednesday change year by year. Themes of Lent: Instruction: in the early church and in some denominations today, Lent is the time to instruct candidates for baptism. Repentance: Repentance means change, not something that is one time but ongoing. Spiritual Renewal: emphasis in reading and study of scripture. Prayer: intentionally setting time aside each day to pray. Talk to God and listen. Fasting: denial of food or activity as a way to remind us of our need for Jesus in our lives. Almsgiving: of called works of love. Giving of self: time, talent, treasures to others. Moral Responsibility: How do I live out the gospel in whatever role I have in life: child, student, employed, retired? Blessings to you as you continue your Lenten journey. Pastor Dale
Page 3 Renville County Hospice Program Good Grief Topics to be covered: Rules of safety Memory sharing Spiritual aspects of grief Self-Care Hope in new beginnings 5 sessions beginning March 2 - March 30, Tuesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Willette Room, Renville County Hospital, 611 E. Fairview Avenue, Olivia For anyone who has lost a loved one. All are welcome. People in bereavement need to be surrounded by others who care about them and support their grieving. Admission is free donations accepted. Registration required call Paulette Svoboda 320-523-3451 or Barb Krogstad 320-365-4383. Because the only cure for grief is to grieve. If we hide our hurt, and if we hide from our pain, we will not move forward to what lies ahead. It is only in feeling fully all of our emotions that we finally let go of them, and progress beyond them. It is only in hurting that we are healed. ~ Kahlil Gilbran Stewardship Notes Special thanks to: Our Sunday School teachers: (Opdal) Sonja Thune; (OS) Carla Hamre, Erik & Marie Hoff, Lori Martinez, Tara Miller, Darrel & Leslie Refsland, Sue Schneider, Allison Timm Shirley Ramstad for making the baptism bibs. January 30 February 20 Funerals Palmer Brelie Arlen Strandjord Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15 Baptisms February 7 Chasity Danielle Schmitz Child of Jessica Reiten and Devon Schmitz When the days begin to lengthen, and winter s on the wing Nothing cheers my heart as much as the coming of the spring. I wait with sweet expectancy to hear the robin s song While the sun-warmed little brook trickles happily along. Bright daffodils and tulips along the garden way; The fragrance sweet of lilacs near makes heavenly my day. On a hill nearby, a dogwood tree is gloriously abloom, And in my heart it seems that I am in the Upper Room. I lift my eyes to heaven toward the skies to blue and clear; Consider how a springtime day can bring God s presence near.
Page 4 Our Savior s: January 13, 2010 Council Update Pastor Dale thanked those that are completing their terms: Sharon Sietsema, Allison Timm, LaMont Jacobson, Marlys Peterson, Marlys Haug; discussion on the book The Shack continues & going well; Pastor will be leading a Bible Study on the Book of Romans in February; Education: Christmas program went very well people liked the intergenerational theme & birthday party idea. Special thanks to Tami Hebrink & all who helped. VBS scheduled for June 20-24. The committee has discussed lack of S.S. attendance in grades 9-12. Family Life/Human Relations: Pictorial directory is in the proof stage; the service group booklet will be brought up to date. Mission/Stewardship: Kid Against Hunger collected $2900 which purchased 24,000 meals, 6000 bags filled (price per meal had gone 50%). OS/Opdal collected 34 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Other Business: As in the past each GLBC camper will be given $100 towards the cost of camp. OS sign along Hwy 212 has fallen off the post; this needs to be replaced. A motion was made & carried for Pastor Dale to purchase a new dryer. Opdal: February 16, 2010 Elections: president Dean Enestvedt; secretary Grant Breitkreutz. Now serving as janitor Deb Enestvedt. Clean-up day at the church will be March 27 Automatic thermostat has been installed in the chapel. Zimmermann donation to be put in the cemetery fund. Pre-school/Kindergarten Class Pictured: Caleb Hoff, Anayansi Flores, teacher Sue Schneider, Brenden Peterson Grades 3 & 4 (Front row) Alyssa Ashburn, Rory Shackelford, Carter Timm, Valerie Zaragoza, Sarah Hoff (back row) Teacher Lori Martinez
Page 5 March Worship Hosts March 3 (Lenten Worship) Ushers/Greeters: Darrel Refsland family, Dave Wensauer family March 7 Ushers/Greeters: Terry Kjersten family, Dan & Cindy Loe Dana Elliot Bell Ringer: Karly Aeikens Marie Hoff Communion: Mornie & Evie Elliot March 10 (Lenten Worship) Ushers/Greeters: Dick Ashburn, Jim Jensen, Mike Mahlum, Ray Miller March 14 Ushers/Greeters: Pete Kronlokken family, Bob & Tammy Schjenken Britanna Raddatz Bell Ringer: Ricky Zaragoza Dick Hoff March 17 (Lenten Worship) Ushers/Greeters: Dick & Nancy Hoff, John & Sharon Sietsema March 21 (LYO) Kristi Beck, Morgan Elliot, Reed Raddatz, Andrew Robertson Kelsey Gigstad Bell Ringer: Dakota Freiborg Lauren Schneider March 24 (Lenten Worship) Mornie & Evie Elliot, Cornie & JoLene Groen March 28 Rodney Peterson family, Jeremy Pharr family Trevor Samuelson Bell Ringer: Jasmine Hookom Kris Peterson Communion: Earl & Cheryl Nellermoe 10 Commandments Minnesota Style 1. Der s only one God, ya know 2. Don t make that fish on your mantle an idol. 3. Cussing ain t nice! 4. God to church even when you re up nort. 5. Honor your folks. 6. Don t kill. Catch and release. 7. There is only one Lena for every Ole. No cheatin. 8. If it ain t your lutefisk, don t take it. 9. Don t be braggin about how much ya shoveled. 10. Keep your mind off your neighbor s hotdish. Altar: Bread Baker: Decorating: Sound System: Beth Elliot, Delores Wickstrom Shirley Ramstad Margie Flaata Paul Hamre March Hosts at Opdal: Dean & Deb Enestvedt Scenic Valley WELCA Spring Gathering at Opdal Thursday, April 22, 5:45 p.m. Theme: Colors of Faith Guest speakers: Pastor Wayne & Donna Kopitzke In kind offering: Food Shelf Cost: $7.00 (dinner/registration) Call Camille Smith for reservations by April 19 at 320-765-2218.