Newsletter of Morning Star Lutheran Church ~ Missouri Synod Lakeside, California www.morningstarlcms.org APRIL 2018 Dear Friends in Christ, This newsletter is coming to you at the end of our Holy Week celebrations, and as this joyful season of the church year begins, many people also start to think about that middle portion of their calendar year -- spring is upon us, children are nearing the end of their school years, families will be traveling to and from all kinds of vacations and family outings. What a wonderful time in our communities, and in our families! At the same time, you would be surprised how many times I see people (sometimes even those of us who work in the church!) taking this busy time of the year and reducing some, or maybe even a lot, of the time that we sometimes otherwise spending in devotionals or prayer with our God. It doesn t take long at times to start feeling very Spiritually hungry. If your calendar is getting busier by the week over the next few months, I want you to know that you will have the chance here at Morning Star to continue in God s Word even if your life s plans keep you constantly on the go. From April through August, we will be Walking With Jesus together on a weekly and even daily basis. What does this mean? Simply put, as a member of this Congregation you ll begin to receive a weekly focus for Bible Study and Prayer each Monday. It will give you a daily Scripture reading, as well as a focal thought for prayers. Each Wednesday, you ll receive a Bible Study from the Pastor s Desk, digging deeper into a particular portion of the Bible and unpacking it in a unique and interactive way. These will both come by Email, and each set of Walking With Jesus guides will also be available on the Sunday following their publication. This informative and enjoyable walk through God s Word will strengthen each of us in our walk with Jesus, but it will also constantly point our minds and hearts toward the world which Jesus so dearly loves. There will be chances to show mercy, compassion, and love as we have learned it from Jesus Himself. You will learn and grow in knowledge, but much more importantly, in the knowledge and love of your Lord. If you wish to study together as a family or in an existing home group, fantastic! If you think you might want to start a new home group around this study, all the better! Please let myself or one of the Lay Ministers know if this is the case, so that we can discuss with you what that may look like. I am so excited to begin this journey with you throughout our spring and summer months. And no matter where life takes you and me from week to week, we can always Walk With Jesus together! ++ Pastor Justin HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED. ALLELUIA! Sunday Services 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study, Children s Sunday School, and Pre-Confirmation 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Services: April 1 7:00 a.m. April 1 10:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt after 10:00 a.m. service & POTLUCK at 11:30 a.m.
Page 2 THE WALK IN THE PARK OUTREACH MINISTRY Monday mornings from 9:00 a.m. at L I N D O L A K E P A R K Deacon Tom Kuwazaki, Helen Lewin, and Dorothy invite you to join in on this ministry. Why? To share the Gospel s Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Matthew 28:19 and meet people in our community. Remember to include this Ministry in your daily prayers. Donations of granola bars, antibacterial wipes, as well as, Bibles & water are always welcome. The One Wish bracelets continue to be a great way to share the Gospel. Please join us in Classroom 4 at 10:30 a.m. on SUNDAY MORNING and be blessed by Studying God's Word. Bible Study is with Pastor Jus'n. NEWS from the Lutheran Women s Missionary League ~ Society at Morning Star: LWML.org lists national events and mite info. Resources: psdlwml.com WOW (Women of the Word) The official newsletter is posted there. Morning Star LWML Secret Outreach/In-reach Goals for 2018: June & July: Collect Backpacks and School Supplies for Lakeside Christian Helps Center September & October: Alabaster Jar Project / item to be determined Mark your calendar for these 2018 Events June 8-10 Pacific Southwest Convention at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas. Theme: He Rocks The Registration Forms and complete details are on the psdlwml.com website. (Contact Gail Ninteman if you would like more information.) July 28 9:30 AM Assemble backpacks & school supplies for Lakeside Christian Helps Center & Society Meeting at Morning Star October Fall Celebration for Zone 23 (date & location pending) October 7 LWML Sunday service at Morning Star Lutheran Church December 1 Lakeside Spirit of Christmas on Maine Avenue Attention Secret Sister s: Remember your Secret Sister with prayers.
Page 3 Life Support ~ Submitted by Jim Birren Have you ever thought that you are always on total life support from the time you were born until you take that last breath of the Holy Spirit? Can we eat, sleep, work without the attending physician? Often, we try to take control of our life, and only when it is a mess do we return to the Great Physician. Most of us have been taught responsibility from a young age; take charge, look for that opportunity to do great things, and my favorite; pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Unless you are over 40 or 50 years of age, you have never heard of that. Bootstraps? Are my vans missing something? Should I return my flip-flops to Walmart due to a missing boot strap? Pulling one self up by the bootstraps means to improve your situation yourself, without help from others. Do you do that? Have you ever done that? Have you ever had a project that went haywire because while you were pulling up on your bootstraps, you really didn t have the skills to do it correctly. Many time my tasks go south, to fall or decline. How wonderful it is that we have a Father in heaven who watches over us every second of our life, knows us mind body and soul. After all, we were made in His image and He calls us the apple of His eye. How great is that? So, what s the answer to all this taking charge, our planning, our list of supplies, our outside professional assistance? Are we doing this great feat without the benefit of asking Jesus what He is doing, and can we join Him, or are we building our pride and ego? This does not mean that you cannot build a house or a wall, but it is important to always talk to our Number One Professional, Jesus. Ok, I did talk to Jesus, and the house I am building will be grand and beautiful and be able to provide a home for someone. On the first day of my build project, it would be prudent to have another talk with Jesus, asking Him to guide your work and give protection to your workers, asking Him to be by your side, maybe with coincidences, maybe with His mallet, but surely with His presence. So, go ahead and pull yourself up by your bootstraps, with the boots that were provided, the straps that are plainly visible, the strength of your created hands, and the beautiful foot given you. But always with a thank the Lord. Mid-day when you order lunch and sit down praying thanks for our daily bread, remember that He is there with you sitting at the head of the lunch table and holding an extra pair of boots, size 10-1/2 EE s as a reminder. LHM s FREE online courses are now available! Watch the video and how to sign up at: www.lhm.org/learn/ Sample of what you can find under Resources & Training: Children s Opportunities with Online Mission Trips Men s Network Devotions Video-based Bible Studies God Connects...and much more.
Page 4 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation (Luke 1:50 ESV). W B S Wednesday, April 11th at 7 PM at the home of Kara Birren Santee Lesson #6 Bless These Lips Men s Bible Study / Breakfast Saturday, April 14th, 7:30 AM Location: Denny s Restaurant 13584 CDEFGH CDGDID, EL CAJON W B S F$%& No fellowship until May 23rd, which will be at Olive Garden in the Grossmont Shopping Center. B S C() G)& Ask Emily Braun, Christian Ed Director, for dates, times, & locations. A B S Sunday Mornings at 10:30 AM Led by: Pastor Justin Laughridge C%) S( S+% Sunday Mornings at 10:30 AM Teachers: Linda Hobson & Joan Liddle In addition to The Lutheran Hour airing in San Diego on KCBQ-1170AM radio every Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. or listening to The Lutheran Hour 24/7 at Lutheranhour.org, shut-ins can watch sermons on-line at: Worshipforshutins.org. Share this information with those you know who may have difficulty attending church. ~ Lutheran Ministries Media LAKESIDE CHRISTIAN HELPS CENTER ~ Proverbs 22:9 (NKJV) He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. THANK YOU FOR DONATING FOOD ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. RECYCLING IS GOOD STEWARDSHIP Tom Yeager is the person coordinating the recycling of plastics and aluminum at Morning Star. Just bring your recyclables to the Church.
Page 5 WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE APR-MAY-JUNE Date LayMin Usher Usher Lector Acolyte Greeter Altar Children's Sermon Treats Teller 1-Apr Dick Wanda Linda Bill Z Sam Helen Chris Pastor Winnie Wanda 8-Apr Travis Char B-A Luis Chris K Isabella Joan Liz H Mark/Gail Char C Dave 15-Apr Jim B Phil E Travis Dick Sam Kara Nancy Helen Walwick Char C 22-Apr Tom Tom Y Jim Linda Isabella Alicia Kara Jim Ruth E Char B-A 29-Apr Jerry Chris H Jim Gail Sam Jim Kara Kara Joan Dave W 6-May Dick Jim Kara Helen Sam Phil/Ruth Chris Pastor Birren Wanda 13-May Travis Char B-A Luis Dick Isabella Jim Liz H Mark/Gail Emily B Dave 20-May Jim B Wanda Linda Bill Z Sam Wanda Nancy Linda Char B-A Char C 27-May Tom Chris H Phil E Kara Isabella Char B-A Kara Jim Yeagers Char B-A 3-Jun Dick Jim Kara Gail Sam Phil/Ruth Chris Pastor Alicia Wanda 10-Jun Travis Char B-A Luis Bill Z Isabella Mozelle Liz H Mark/Gail Chris H Dave 17-Jun Jim B Phil E Chris H Kara Sam Helen L Nancy Linda Chris K Char C 24-Jun Tom Dick C Travis Jim Isabella Char C Kara Jim Ella K Char B-A MORNING STAR HIGHLIGHTS for APRIL 2018: April 1 Food Drive for Lakeside Christian Helps Center April 1 EASTER SUNDAY SERVICES 7:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. (Easter Egg Hunt after 10:00 a.m. service) and a Potluck at 11:30 a.m. April 4 BOD Meeting 6:30 p.m. April 22 $5 Sunday for English District Missions Newsletter Deadline April 27 Sewing for Charity 11:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. April 28 Western Days Parade 9:30 a.m. Widows, Widowers, & Friend Dinner & Bingo 4:00 p.m. View Newsletter in color at morningstarlcms.org NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: April 22, 2018 Send ARTICLES and corrections directly to: liddle2@cox.net For Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Special Dates in April, see the calendar on the last page. Thank you to all who Celebrate their Special Day with a donation to the mortgage principal. This is the day that the Lord has made; (Ps. 118:24a) The editor
Page 6 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE AUDIO/VISUAL TEAM I m sure by now you ve noticed our new screen set-up in worship. We ve received great feedback from many folks about it, and have enjoyed using it with all the new features. Like many things, it takes a TEAM! If you are willing to serve us during Sunday morning worship on the soundboard, the Pro Presenter slide program, or both (though not at the same time), PLEASE email the Church Office (morningstarlc@mslc.sdcoxmail.com), or speak to Pastor Justin or Tom Kuwaszaki. Even if you are already doing one of these, our goal is to have a list of all who have this sort of expertise and are willing to serve. Thank you so much! To keep up with all that is happening in the English District, we encourage you to sign up for the District's weekly e-newsle?er at: http://www.englishdistrict.org/ Whether you are a church worker or congregant, you may subscribe to this free weekly update, which will be delivered straight to your email inbox! You may type the following in your browser for archived issues or access them directly from the above website: h(p://www.englishdistrict.org/resources/ archives-servant-servant Every Monday at 1:00 p.m. it is Time for Senior Citizen Bingo at Morning Star Lutheran Church. This Ministry is led by Luis & Char Aldas. The next WIDOWS, WIDOWERS, & FRIENDS GATHERING FOR DELICIOUS FOOD (no charge) and BINGO is Saturday, April 28, 2018, 4:00 p.m. -5:30 p.m.
Page 7 12821 Ha Hana Road Lakeside, CA 92040 Phone: 619-443-6032 www.morningstarlcms.org Reverend Justin Laughridge The people of Morning Star believe in the One True God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that everything God says in His Word, the Bible, is true. And we believe in God s promise that He will give us the free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus, who died on the cross and rose again to save us. Morning Star s 2018 Board of Directors: President Vice-President Treasurer Financial Secretary BOD Secretary Director Christian Education & Youth Director of Evangelism Director of Lay Ministry Director of Operations Director of Social Ministry Director of Stewardship Deacon Deacon Parish Ministry Assistant Jerel Grambow vacant Linda Hobson/ Wanda Lewellen Alicia Grambow Nikki Edwards Emily Braun Chris Kuwazaki Jim Birren Tom Yeager vacant Char Baum-Aldas Dick Collingwood Tom Kuwazaki Helen Lewin Ongoing Prayers for members and friends of Morning Star: The Bitner Family The Ninteman Family The Walwick Family June Clarno Chris Kuwazaki Lauren Stephenson Bob Schofield, Pearl Walker Tom, Jen & Tony Yeager Jackie & Cory Caruthers Pearl Walker Dick Collingwood s sister Cathy, Val Wigren and her parents: Dallas & Lavonne Ullrich, & everyone with health issues; -that God bless the Dominican Republic ministry mightily. Prayers for those who have experienced a recent disaster. Those that are suffering with the flu. We also pray for our Pastor, BODs, Parish Workers, and individual families, including those everywhere who need to know that Jesus loves them no matter what. To Update This Page, contact the Church Office. Pray for those in the Armed Forces Cody Harmon, US Army, (Dave & Rose Walwick s son-in-law) Harold Kuwazaki, US Marines (Tom & Chris Kuwazaki s nephew) Lucas Nelson Davis, USN (Chris Hill s grandson) Morning Star also has an On-Line Prayer Program Login to: morningstarlcms.org and click on the tab: Contact Us With Your Prayer Requests Type in your prayer, and tap send. ~ Jim Birren, Prayer Coordinator