April 2017 The Messenger A Monthly Newsletter from Resurrection Lutheran Church You re invited to join us for Holy Week! Palm Sunday April 9 @ 8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. We wave our palm branches and mark the beginning of this holy week with a procession around the building, the reading of the whole story of Jesus journey to the cross, and Holy Communion. Maundy Thursday April 13 @ 7:00 We gather at Jesus table and kneel to wash each other s feet. The altar is stripped as we remember how Jesus walked from supper to his humiliation and death. Good Friday April 14 @ 7:00 We gather around the cross, singing, listening to scripture, and pray for the whole world, mindful that it is the whole world that God so loves and dies to save, turning even the darkest Friday into the one called Good. Vigil of Easter Saturday, April 15 @ 9:00 We light a new fire, listen to stories of God s presence throughout our faith history, gather at the baptismal font, and celebrate Jesus Resurrection with Holy Communion and a late-night potluck (please bring a dish to share). The Resurrection of Our Lord Sunday, April 16 @ 8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt @ 9:45 a.m. We gather for festival worship with Holy Communion. Whether you re the kind of person to break out a new bonnet and gloves or just want to put on jeans, know that you are welcome to worship the Risen Lord with us on Easter and every Sunday! RLC Mission Statement Resurrection Lutheran Church invites and welcomes all people to hear God's word, share our faith, and celebrate the sacraments. Through music, liturgy, and fellowship, we embrace diversity, nurture children, advocate justice, and praise God. This is our response to the Gospel.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE WRITINGS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CONTINUE Sherman Hicks continues to lead conversations about the writings of Martin Luther King Jr. and how the teachings of nonviolence might inform how we live as bold witnesses in today's world. Join Sherman on April 23 and April 30 at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. ACTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE If you're interested in how to keep up with what ONE Northside is doing to organize actions, letter writing, and other activities, please visit their website at www.onenorthside.org, and click on the little envelope at the left top of the page to sign up for their newsletter. You can also read up on the many ways they serve and speak for the underserved in our city. GETTING TO KNOW RLC / NEW MEMBERS CLASS If you'd just like to learn more about our congregation or you're thinking about becoming a member, please join us Sunday, April 2nd @ Noon or Tuesday, April 4th @ 7pm. New Members will be received during worship on Sunday, April 9. 2 Fay-Ling Laures 10 Tanya Wiegel 14 Donna Wiegel 16 Padraig McGuire Christian Domain 18 Eunhee Milutinovic 18 Linnea Ennis 19 Cheryl Philip 20 Kelly Faulstich 23 Michelle Prickett Ava Butala If we missed anyone or included someone accidently, please let the church office know. COUNCIL THANKSGIVINGS & HIGHLIGHTS We give thanks for: The Chicago Cubs and their matching grant, Sherman Hicks' leadership of the Sunday morning sessions, and Maurice's triple duty on Sunday, March 19th. We got a new amp for the sound system and repaired wiring so that all speakers are working! Tony and Tina's Wedding has extended their show and use of our space through September. Chicago PD (TV Show) used our Fellowship Hall for extras holding on March 17th.
WOMEN'S 20/30S GROUP BIBLE STUDY We will gather on April 19 in the Parish House at 7:00pm. For those who may be new to the group, please note that this is a casual time where we meet, typically on the third Wednesday of the month, in fellowship and prayer over snacks or a small meal and read and reflect on selected Bold Cafe posts (http://www.boldcafe.org/). Pastor Kelly will be hosting, so please reach out to her or Jackie (jgrinvalds@gmail.com) with any questions. RLC MEN'S GROUP The RLC Men's Bible Study group will be meeting Saturday April 22nd at 10am. We will continue discussing the book of Daniel which we started in March. Phil Thompson is leading the discussion. We are starting the gathering with a fiesta breakfast instead of our usual continental. Look for a reminder message for the meeting the week before. If you would like to be included in the group's email list, please forward your address to Rick Kline (rick1749@comcast.net). These prayers are written or selected by members of our Stewardship Team for use in Sunday worship and for personal prayer. March 5, 2017 God who calls us to embrace equality, we pray for transgender children, teenagers and adults. Deliver them from fear and loneliness, and shine your loving light upon them. Strengthen the resolve of families, educators and faith communities to demand an end to harassment, cruel words and bigotry. Empower us to resist injustices that undermine the humanity of your beloved people. May you be a constant presence in the lives of our transgender siblings, assuring them that you created them exactly as they are meant to be. March 12, 2017 Dear Lord, on this Sunday before St. Patrick s Day, we give you thanks for the life of Patrick, who escaped from slavery, and received visions of walking among the Irish people to introduce them to Christianity. Oh God, help us to look and find you; not just in celebrations, but in everything we see, hear, and do. -excerpt from Daily Guidepost Devotions March 19, 2017 We pray for churches with whom we share a rich Lutheran heritage especially: Unity in Edgewater, Lakeview Lutheran, St. Luke s Logan Square, Holy Family Chicago, Christ Lutheran Vernon Hills and Concordia in Avondale. Bless these congregations and their pastors in all that they do. Inspire them to continue to faithfully carry out your work in their neighborhoods and communities. March 26, 2017 Dear Lord, Bless those who give themselves to the service of others, especially the organization The Night Ministry. Guide their street outreach program as they graciously provide nutrition, housing, health care and human connection to vulnerable youth and adults in the city. Help these stewards as they feed, comfort and affirm the sense of humanity in these disadvantaged individuals. We are inspired by the great work of this organization and grateful for the ability to support their worthy cause.
LUTHER HYMN OF THE MONTH: CHRIST JESUS LAY IN DEATH S STRONG BANDS (ELW #370) This Easter Hymn is one of the most famous of Luther s hymns. Like many of his hymns, it is less known in this country, often pushed to the background by the more familiar English Easter hymns. However, the hymn can be found in the hymnals of many American denominations. The text was written in 1524, and its image rich message illustrates Luther s understanding of the atonement as a mighty duel between life and death Good Friday and Easter. Here Luther again is teaching the common Christian, through and song, the foundational doctrines of the Church. The tune is always linked to this text, and was probably written with the help of Johann Walter, a close musician associate of Luther. The tune is derived from an earlier Latin chant for Easter, Victimae Paschali, which is also found in ELW (#371), and is also the source for another popular German song, Christ ist erstanden(elw # 372). The resulting adaptation of the tune creates a strong, straightforward and uplifting vehicle for Luther s words. Many composers have used this hymn as a basis for new compositions. When used, the entrance of the theme always signals a feeling of hope and victory. PRESCHOOL APPLE BASH THANK YOU (and there is still time to shop and give!) Our preschool fundraiser was held this past Saturday, 3/25, and we want to say thank you for your support with your donations as well as purchasing items on line (still open for a few more days and now at up to 50% off), as well as purchasing wine raffle tickets. As of Saturday night we are close to our goal of $25,000 in revenue but we still have a little ways to go! We are currently at $23,500 (before some expenses) so thank you!! As many of you know the Chicago Cubs are matching our revenue from Apple Bash this year dollar for dollar, so we want to reach the $25,000! Let's get a big W for all of us!! If you still want to support our preschool you can go to applebash.org to shop for an item or two (now at 50% off) or just make an outright donation! No donation is too small! A lot of people, including the preschool and toddler families have given so much and we would love your help too so we can meet our goal and make sure we receive the entire $25,000 from the Cubs! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so thank you again! Again, visit applebash.org before the items are gone! And any donation is appreciated!! February 28, 2017 Actual YTD Budget YTD Offering/Giving 25,223.67 50,136.87 46,933.00 Financials Other Income 7,006.96 13,799.28 11,420.00 Total Income 32,230.63 63,936.15 58,353.00 Total Expenses 24,646.36 49,224.96 56,916.00 Net Income 7,584.27 14,711.19 1,437.00
APRIL SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 4:00 2 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT 9:40 a.m. Sunday School and Confirmation 12:00 New Members Class 5:00 9 PALM/PASSION SUNDAY 9:40 a.m. Sunday School & Confirmation 12:00 Fellowship 16 EASTER SUNDAY 9:45 a.m. Egg Hunt Gathering 10:10 a.m. Egg Hunt 23 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER 9:40 a.m. Sunday School & Confirmation 9:40 a.m. Adult Forum on MLK 12:00 Fellowship - Alaniz Family 30 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER 9:40 a.m. Easter Family Sunday 12:00 Fellowship Baptismal Preparation Class 3 6:30-7:30 Girl Scouts 10 6:30-9:00 Toastmasters 17 6:30-7:30 Girl Scouts 24 6:30-9:00 Toastmasters 4 7:00 New Members Class 11 18 25 5 6:30 Lent Soup and Study 6 12 13 19 7:00 Young Women's Bible Study (Parish House) Maundy Thursday Worship 20 26 27 Church Council 7 14 Good Friday Worship 21 Join us for Holy Week! 8 4:00 & 8:00 p.m Tony Tina 15 10:00 a.m. Confirmation Set-up for Egg Hunt 9:00 Easter Vigil 22 10:00 a.m. Men's Group 4:00 & 8:30 28 29 8am-6pm Healing Touch Rental 4:00 & 8:30 Palm Sunday Sunday, April 9 8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 13 7:00 Good Friday Friday, April 14 7:00 Vigil of Easter Saturday, April 15 9:00 Easter Sunday Sunday, April 16 8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.