LENT SUPPER SERIVCES EVERY WEDNESDAY DURING LENT - 6:00PM March 7th March 14th March 21st YOUTH FUNDRAISER ST. PATRICK S DAY IRISH STEW DINNER SATURDAY, MARCH 17TH - 5:00-7:00PM SEDER MEAL THURSDAY, MARCH 29TH - 6:00PM MAUNDAY THURSDAY WORSHIP SERVICE THURSDAY, MARCH 29TH - 7:30PM GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICE FRIDAY, MARCH 30TH - 7:00PM 1 March 2018
FROM THE PASTOR S OFFICE: Contemplating St. Patrick In March, along with the continuation of Lent and Holy Week, we think about St. Patrick this year. Although St. Patrick's Day is not commemorated as a church holy day, the story surrounding Patrick is worth a review. St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are questioned. Many historians believe they are the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling. What is known is that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around A.D. 460. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to God for solace, becoming a devout Christian. After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice, which he believed to be God s, spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland. To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from where he was held to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation. An angel in a dream told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland, and to begin to convert the Irish. Familiar with the Irish language and culture, instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity. For instance, since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish. Today St. Patrick continues to inspire us to listen for God s voice in the midst of our daily lives. God is speaking in the good times, and in the hard times, giving us direction in daily life. Patrick can help us too, consider the symbols of daily life, sun, snakes, clovers, when telling the story of God s love and grace. In the words of St. Patrick: May the Strength of God pilot us. May the Power of God preserve us. May the Wisdom of God instruct us. May the Hand of God protect us. May the Way of God direct us. May the Shield of God defend us. May the Host of God guard us against the snares of the evil ones. Against temptations of the world, may Christ be with us! May Christ be before us! May Christ be in us, Christ be over all! May Thy Salvation, Lord, always be ours, this day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen. Remembering the Saints that surround us, blessings and joy, Pastor Karen + 2
FROM THE PRESIDENT S DESK My daughter (Pastor Tammy) gave me a wonderful devotional book for Christmas, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Every day there is a new message for me. The following spoke to me, I hope it helps you as well: Come to Me for rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life. Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway. This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My presence goes against the grain of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My presence. We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 AMP What a gift God has for all of us through sickness, death, accidents, missed information, lies, fears, etc. We once again approach the Lenten season with renewed hope of a Risen Lord and Savior. May we all be renewed and give thanks for the gifts and blessings we are given to serve the Lord. Yours in fellowship & service, Dorothy Klitzke, Council President 3
WOMEN OF THE ELCA Morning Circles Mar 7 9:15 a.m. Deborah... Arlene Nordeen Mar 7-9:30 a.m. Mary... Eunice Lovaas Naomi... Dee Sadenwasser Rachel... Addie Fry (At Church) Afternoon Circles Mar 6-1:00 p.m. Hannah... Vivian Bowser Mar 13 1:00 p.m. Martha.Nancy Krumrey Evening Circle Mar 5 6:30p.m. Priscilla... Loletia Rear (At Church) Piecemakers 9:00 a.m. Luther Hall The Piecemakers meet every Thursday morning to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief and for local needs. Everyone is invited to join them at 9:00 a.m. in Luther Hall. There are lots of tasks for people who don t sew. If you d like to be part of a wonderful fellowship, join us any time. We will be asking for donations for our Baskets of Promise for Lutheran World Relief during Lent. Mar 11 Mary Circle Mar 05 9:30 a.m. Sit and Chat Mar 14 9:30 a.m. Board Meeting Mar 21 9:15 a.m. Visiting Phoebes Mar 21 9:00 a.m. Altar Guild Mar 28 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Leaders Join two of United s favorite gardeners as they share their secrets of how you, too, can grow a green thumb! If you have a February or March birthday, join your friends at your special Birthday Table! Everyone is Welcome - Sign up at the Women s Board. Mark your calendar for the Spring Gathering! Wings of Wisdom: Finding and Sharing Wholeness and Peace in Difficult Times I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Psalm 55:6 Arkansas-Oklahoma Synodical Women s Organization Clusters 6 & 7 Spring Gathering April 14 9-3 United Lutheran Church We have a wonderful Bible Study (written by Susan Humphrey) centered around the theme Wings of Wisdom: Finding and Sharing Wholeness and Peace in Difficult Times. We are blessed to have Sarah Stephenson as our Bible study leader! The Gathering is always a special day as we gather together to see all our old friends and to meet new ones, and it s even more special when it s held here at United. We look forward to seeing all of you. Glenda Heist and Lisa Twitty are co-chairing the event, and they will be asking for help soon with providing and serving food, decorating, and all those other things we need for a successful Gathering. More information will be available soon at the Women s sign up board and in Grace Notes. 4
It is possible that United might be the only Lutheran Church in America where the men do more cooking in the kitchen than the women do. AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY! That s why we re continuing in our tradition of having a Bake-less bake sale. Other churches have bake sales and rummage sales and craft sales. Women spend time and money cooking and crafting, and then they spend more money buying the things that other women have cooked and crafted in order to raise money to support programs. Well, at United we bypass all that stuff in the middle. Instead of all that fuss and bother, we just have you drop your money directly (and prayerfully and generously) into the Cake in the narthex. No fuss, no bother, no calories and no guilt!! It s just one of the amazing things the Women of United do! Every year through our bake-less bake sale and our offerings, we raise enough money to support our local missions. We are so grateful to all of you who give so generously. Even though our membership gets smaller every year, with your help we are still meeting our commitments. Thank you to all of you for your gifts from the heart. This year we hope to support these worthy programs: Benton County Women s Shelter 225.00 Church Women United 60.00 Helping Hands 125.00 Lutheran World Relief (Piece Makers) 300.00 New Beginning Children s Home 300.00 Oaks Indian Center 1200.00 Phoebe s cards and stamps 75.00 Restoration Village 300.00 Saving Grace 300.00 Share and Care 125.00 Single Parent Scholarship 600.00 Village House Bella Vista 350.00 In addition we send half of our offerings to the Synodical Women s Organization who in turn send half of that on to the Churchwide Organization. Last year we sent more than $1700 to help carry on the work of the Women of the ELCA. (And that doesn t even count your additional support of the November Thankoffering that goes directly to Churchwide and the Shopping With Single Parents gifts that we provide locally.) It is through your generous support that we truly can make a difference in the lives of people here in Benton County and throughout the world. You can get your envelope from your circle leader, or you can pick it up next to the Cake in the narthex. Let s Gather! Take a minute to Sit & Chat with friends on Monday, March 5, at 9:30 a.m. We ll discuss Peter W. Marty s article Going to church is inconvenient. Come and join our community of women as we look at this thought provoking article. Copies are available on the Women s counter. Don t Forget Baskets of Promise & The Shoe Box Ministry Information is by the Tubs for these projects. 5
Sit Chat Women of United - Take a minute to Sit & Chat with friends on Monday, March 5th @ 9:30am We will discuss the article on page 7 - written by Peter W. Marty. 6
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YOU ARE INVITED!! The Music Suite has newly painted walls, a new carpet, and a new look! All the Musicians: Bell Choir, Blue Grass Gospel Band, Choir, and Orchestra would like everyone attending United Lutheran Church to come by the Music Suite and see our new look!! Just open the doors and come in, look around, and if by chance some musicians are there singing or playing, just have a seat and sit a spell as you enjoy their music! We would like to THANK Sandy O'Neil, Ann McNew, and Lois Carlson for researching and choosing the color of the paint for the walls and the carpet for the Music Suite make-over. THANKS to Sandy O'Neil for visualizing a new arrangement for the moveable fixtures (risers, bell tables, piano, music racks) which has resulted in more space in the room! This project would not have been possible without Jeff Peleaux! Jeff did all of the painting, moving the music files, cabinets, risers, chairs, stands, and pews (twice)! He also took down the banners and has put them back up now that the paint is dry! He also removed and disposed of all of the old carpet and molding. When he completed the painting and the carpet had been installed, Jeff enlisted the help of Roz Harris, Sarah Stephenson, and Harvey Klitzke to assist with reassembling the risers and file cabinets. We THANK Roz, Sarah, and Harvey for their help! Jeff engineered the entire project with PERFECTION!! THANK YOU, JEFF!!! March 4th, the Chancel Bells will play the Prelude for our 9:30 AM worship service, and the children will sing They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love following the children's sermon. BLUE GRASS GOSPEL BAND is back March 11th! Invite your friends and neighbors to worship with us that Sunday! We have new members Jim and Janet Davis! WELCOME! Palm Sunday is March 25. Orchestra will be playing the Prelude and there will be palms for everyone! This month we are observing Lent. Each Wednesday this month will be a Lent supper at 6 PM followed by the Lent service at 6:30. Choir will rehearse as usual at 7 PM. Orchestra is rehearsing March 7, 14, 21 at 4:30 PM. March 21 st all ULC Musicians will be preparing and serving the Lent Supper and are responsible for clean up as well. Wednesday, March 28, Orchestra will rehearse at the usual time of 5:45 PM. WATOTO CHOIR is coming to ULC! These orphan children from Uganda are AWESOME! The title of their new program is Signs and Wonders! The program starts at 7 PM. Be sure to come early to get a good seat! Invite your friends and neighbors to come with you! They will THANK YOU following the concert for inviting them! Easter is April 1 st this year. The Choir will be singing during both worship services on Easter. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, April 8, at 9:30 AM and plan to worship at ULC as the Choir presents the Cantata, The ALLELUIA TREE. Watch for more about this Cantata next month. Our THANKS to Sandy O'Neil and Ralph Picht for their vocal duet People Need the Lord during communion on Sunday, February 25 th. We want to THANK Sandy for sharing her vocal talent with us as a Choir Member, in vocal ensembles, duets and solos over the years! We will miss you, but we wish you and Dick the best in your new home in Iowa! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!! 8
1 st Annual St Patrick s Day Stew Supper! Saturday, March 17 th, 5-7pm Every three years, 30,000 high school youth from across the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives. Anyone who has gone or has sent children know what an impact Youth Gathering can have on a young person s life. And ULC is committed to providing this experience for our own youth! In the spirit of preparation, we are beginning a new tradition at ULC.The St. Patrick s Day Stew Supper. Proceeds from ticket sales will be directed to the Youth Gathering account to cover costs for current and future Youth Gathering trips. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in the church office. Food for thought. 2018 Youth Gathering will be held in Houston in June. The cost per mile for two participants is $3. With every ticket purchased you are sponsoring 3 miles! Thank you! Invite you friends and neighbors. This promises to be a fun evening. Get Ready, Get Set, Go! Sarah Stephenson 9
Greetings from Stephen Ministry. As mentioned in the February edition of The Voice, the ULC Stephen Ministry team has been reading the book Cancer Now What? This wonderful book was written by Stephen Ministry founder Dr. Kenneth Haugk. Dr. Haugk talked to thousands of cancer patients, care givers and medical personnel. Contributors shared their stories and offered a great deal of helpful direction. Dr. Haugk includes his personal story of caring for his wife as she struggled with cancer. One theme that this book tackles is honesty. Not only to yourself, but also when sharing your physical and emotional pain with your doctors. One nurse said that it is easier to manage your annoying pain now than your debilitating pain later. And there is no way for your doctors to know how bad it hurts.unless you give them the honest truth. Emotional pain is the same. Something you think you can just trudge through now may end up sinking you later. That s where a Stephen Minister comes in handy. Think of it as complimentary care. Something in addition to you current medical routine that just makes things a little more bearable. And Stephen Ministers don t just care for the sick, but also for the care givers. Tending a sick relative or friend comes with it s own set of emotional baggage. Care givers find it easy to push themselves to the side while in the midst of another person s crisis. Being honest..sharing your heart, your feelings and your hurts is the only true way to relieve the pain you bottle up inside. If you or someone you know could use a trained Stephen Minister, please contact Sarah Stephenson at 855-1325 or stephenmin@unitedlutheranbv.org. MARCH MEETINGS: 03/12 @ 3:30PM 03/26 @ 3:30PM 10
UNITED IN PRAYER - Mondays @ 2:45PM Gracious Lord Jesus. You came into the world as one of us and you suffered as we do. Be with all on our prayer list and their loved ones in these days of special needs. Help them to see that YOU are with them in all things. Strengthen, heal, bless, and fortify their faith against fear and doubt in Your loving purpose for them. We give You thanks on their behalf and ask that You and ask that You would also keep them in our hearts and all of us in Your power, until we are freed from all that afflicts us. In Your name we pray. Amen. Members in Need of Prayer Dorothy Altfillisch Lucile Aasmundstad Iris Benson Marilyn Brown Jason Carlson Roger Costa Virg Dykema Helen Eidem Jerry & Lorraine Herman Ardis Huke Jean Koppernolle (recently moved) Walt Knocke s Family & Friends Duane & Connie Kuske Red & Bonnie Larson Ken Lawson Sally Leffler Dan Lovaas Al & Maxine McClain Alice Medin Al & Shirley Schmidt JoAnn Shaver Mable Shaw Mike Spencer Joyce Strunk Cliff Stolpe Bud Taylor Ben Walford Marge Wolf Family & Friends in Need of Prayer Rick Benson Thomas Boehm Nat Bothwell Annika Cutts Bryan Dale Hannah Dykema Jackie Garner Mary Goforth Colleen Gress Betty Kline Cindy Lund Myrna Olson Phillip Phillips Rachel Sparks Rose Taylor Larry Tuttle s Family & Friends ULC Staff Pray for: the world & our country, our church, Pastor Karen & Jeremy, church council, staff, music, children s ministry, members, the Phoebes and shut-ins, Stephen Ministers & care receivers, friends & family members. Local Churches & Area ELCA Churches Peace in Joplin Christ the King Neighborhood Peace in Rogers Good Shepherd St. Luke s Faith Emmanuel Living Word - Pr. Solberg Bishop & Staff Members in Care Centers Highlands Russ Salomo, Joe & Bea Ranieri, Cleo Sundal Green Acres (Holiday Island) John Norris Concordia Dot Fritz If you are aware of someone who should be added to or removed from the Prayer List, please call the church office at 479-855-1325. 11
I want to say a special thanks to the United Lutheran Church members. It has enhanced my life to be part of this church. It was also important to my husband. Thanks to the pastors, nurses, phoebes, communion servers, and everyone else who has been part of my life at United Lutheran Church. I am sad to leave but know it is the right thing to do. I will never forget you. In God's Grace - Iris Benson Iris Benson 29330 N. Waukegan Rd Apt. 151 Lake Bluff, IL 60044 Thank you to the members of ULC, the pastor, nurses, and all those who checked in on me and prayed for me as I recovered. I appreciate you all and your kind words and encouragement during that time. - Harold Criv Crivello I want to thank everyone who called with their thoughts and prayers during the leg time. It was so appreciated. Again, thank you very much. - Tina Evans This past year and a half at USC has been absolutely amazing. I have loved studying piano, music theory, ear training, choral and orchestral conducting, voice, choral literature, and music education. Not only have I refined my musical capabilities, but I also have found life long friends within my sorority and classmates. I thank the scholarship committee and all the members of ULC for their financial support that allows me to fulfill my dreams! I miss the congregation very much and I look forward to hopefully seeing you this summer! - Claire Redlaczyk Thank you so very much for your prayers, visits, cards, and phone calls while I was sick the month of January. They were all greatly appreciated. I thank God everyday for healing me and for walking with me as I slowly got my strength back. Thank you again and in Christian love - Ruby Kroona Our thanks to Sandy O Neil & Ralph Picht for their vocal duet People Need the Lord. - Lois Carlson 12
March BIRTHDAYS 3/2 - Dick Skrei 3/5 - Red Larson 3/9 - Sharon Reishus 3/10 - Claudia Kimmel 3/10 - Cleo Sundal 3/10 - Richard O Neil 3/11 - Vada Ortega 3/13 - Dar Dykema 3/13 - Eunice Lovaas 3/13 - Jean Michelsen 3/14 - Harold Crivello 3/14 - Larry Lamar 3/14 - Larry Sorenson 3/14 - Ruth Gabriel 3/15 - Rolly Buechler 3/15 - John Hanson 3/23 - Katy Sojka 3/23 - Wanda Brogren 3/24 - Bud Taylor 3/27 - John Hopfner 3/30 - Vivian Bowser ANNIVERSARIES 3/14 - Dick & Deb Muller 3/20 - Forest & Janet Troutner 3/25 - Larry & Char Sorenson 3/31 - Frank & Vera Miller If we ve missed your birthday or anniversary, please let the church office know. Thank you! 13
SATURDAY, MARCH 3RD United Singles: Snacks & Games 10:30AM SUNDAY, MARCH 4TH Blood Pressure Sunday 8:45-9:15AM & 10:45-11:15AM MONDAY, MARCH 5TH W-ELCA Sit & Chat 9:30AM EVERY MONDAY United in Prayer 2:45PM TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH Book Club: Learning to Walk in the Dark 6:30PM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 14, 21 Lenten Supper Services 6:00PM *sign up in the narthex* FRIDAY, MARCH 9TH Family Art Night 6:00PM MONDAY, MARCH 12TH Breakfast Club 8:00AM MONDAY, MARCH 12 & 26 Stephen Ministries 3:30PM MONDAY, MARCH 12TH Movie Night: Wonder 6:30PM EVERY THURSDAY Piecemakers 9:00AM **Come join us!** WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 & 28 Bible Study 8:00AM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH Bread for the World 9:15AM WEDNESDAY MARCH 14TH W-ELCA Board Meeting 9:30AM SATURDAY MARCH 17TH Joppa Shepherd Group 11:30AM 14
SATURDAY, MARCH 17TH Youth Gathering Fundraiser St. Patrick s Irish Stew Dinner 5:00PM *tickets are $10.00 & available in the church office* MONDAY, MARCH 19TH W-ELCA Gathering: How to Turn Your Thumb Green 6:30PM SATURDAY, MARCH 24TH Goshen Shepherd Group Breakfast @ Papa Mike s 9:30AM SATURDAY, MARCH 24TH Simeon Shepherd Group Brunch @ Papa Mike s 10:00AM *rsvp to the Janssens or the Sadenwassers* TUESDAY, MARCH 27TH March Book Club: Learning to Walk in the Dark 6:30PM SUNDAY, MARCH 28TH W-ELCA Bible Study Leaders 10:00AM 15
The Watoto Children s Choir, a group of 18 orphans from Uganda, is continuing its six month United States tour featuring a brand new concert, Signs & Wonders. UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH 100 COOPER ROAD - BELLA VISTA, AR TUESDAY, MARCH 27TH @ 7:00PM The concert will feature worship songs that share the stories of the children and the hope they have because of God s love. This performance is free and open to the public - ALL ARE INVITED! 16
Palm Sunday: March 25 We remember that the crowds cheered Jesus as he entered Jerusalem and the palms were laid before the donkey that Jesus rode. We begin differently, waving palms. Holy Tuesday/Watoto: March 27 More on this amazing group on page 17. Maundy Thursday: March 29 ( Maundy is an English form of the Latin word for commandment mandate, the new commandment to love one another as I have loved you. ) Seder Meal: 6pm The Seder is one part of the present-day Jewish seven-day Passover celebration. The name Passover originates from the time when God, through Moses, led the Israelites out of their slavery. To recall that great deliverance, the elements of the traditional Seder meal symbolize historically significant features of the Israelite experience. Seder is a Jewish celebration of freedom useful in helping Christians understand Judaism. Christians are particularly interested in this ritual meal because it was during a Passover celebration that Jesus instituted Holy Communion. Tickets are required (as we need to know how many places to set), and can be purchased for $1 through Roz at the Parish office or Dorothy Klitzke on Sunday morning. Help with set-up, food preparation, and clean-up is also needed. If you would like to help, please let Roz know. Any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated. We received a grant from Thrivent to help off-set expenses, our thanks to them. Please invite others to join us for this memorable event. Simple Communion Service: 7:30pm On the eve of Maundy Thursday, in the upper room Jesus and his followers shared bread and wine as part of their meal, and Jesus said, Do this in remembrance of me. He also taught them to serve others through the example of washing their feet. Our service ends with the stripping of the altar as we anticipate the arrest of Jesus. 17
Good Friday: March 30 Worship Service: 7pm On this day Jesus was tried and the people called for him to be crucified. We recall Jesus time under arrest, his death on the cross, and his hasty burial in a stranger s tomb. Worship calls us to remember Jesus self-giving sacrifice, suffering, and death. Easter Vigil: March 31 (don t forget to pick-up your take-home liturgy when available) In the church s early years, few worship events held more significance than the Easter Vigil. It was customary in the early church that new Christians, having been instructed in the faith, were brought forward for baptism on this night. Sunday April 12 Easter: Celebration of the Resurrection Easter Sunday, the great festival day in the church when Christians all over the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 8:15am Celebration Worship 9:30am Easter Breakfast and Children s Easter Egg Hunt 10:30am Celebration Worship We re again asking for your help in providing candy filled Easter Eggs for the Children s Easter Egg Hunt. There will be more information as we get closer to Easter in how you can help with this! Thank you! - Sarah Stephenson 18
Updates & Announcements LENTEN SUPPER SERVICES We will have Lenten Supper Services every Wednesday of the Lent season starting at 6:00pm. Please sign up in the narthex so that we can have an accurate head count for food. Thank you so much! Wednesday, March 7th @ 6:00pm - Hosted by: Pastoral Support Wednesday, March 14th @ 6:00pm - Hosted by: Breakfast Club Wednesday, March 21st @ 6:00pm - Hosted by: Worship and Music UPDATED CHURCH PHONE DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE MARCH 4TH, 2018 There have been numerous phone number and address changes for ULC members in the last several months. If you have not yet given any changes to the church office, please send them before noon on March 1st to ensure your most current contact information is correct in the upcoming church phone directories. Thank you so much! UPDATE FROM DEE SADENWASSER We had been collecting the fronts of greeting cards now for year, however St. Jude s Ranch for children no longer wants them. If you know of a place that could use these now, please let me know. Thank you so much! - Dee Sadenwasser COLUMBARIUM UPDATE Due to owners leaving Bella Vista, (2) niches are available in the original section of the columbarium. Sale price is the original selling price of $450.00 per niche. If interested in this bargain price, please contact Darwin Krumrey or the church office. 19
A SEASON OF HOPE: BASKETS OF PROMISE This Lent, we re joining Lutheran World Relief in A SEASON OF HOPE to announce to the world the HOPE of Christ. Each week, we ll collect a different item that we ll use to assemble Personal Care Kits that give people around the world tools to stay healthy in life s most challenging situations. HERE S OUR COLLECTION SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 18TH Bars of Soap (4 to 5 oz., any brand, in original wrapping) FEBRUARY 25TH Bath Towels (light-weight, max. 52 x27, dark color recommend- MARCH 4TH Toothbrushes (adult size, in original packaging) MARCH 11TH Combs (adult size) MARCH 18TH Nail Clippers (metal, attached file optional) MARCH 25TH Bars of Soap (4 to 5 oz., any brand, in original wrapping) 20
Family Art Night March 9, 2017 6:00-7:00pm No-Sew Bunnies! Open to the entire congregation and the community! Sign up in the Narthex by March 8th. 21
VBS 2018! July 16-20 5:30pm-8:30pm 22
MARCH MOVIE NIGHT March 12th, 6:30pm WONDER Based on the beloved best-selling novel, WONDER follows the inspiring story of the Pullman family, whose youngest child, Auggie, is a boy born with facial differences. When Auggie enters mainstream elementary school for the first time, his extraordinary journey unites his family, his school, and his community, and proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out. Oscar winner Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay star in this heartwarming and uplifting film. *popcorn provided* 23
BOOK STUDIES with PASTOR KAREN March Book Study: Learning to Walk in the Dark MONDAY, MARCH 26TH @ 6:30PM Lauren F. Winner has written an engrossing reflection of literary grace and spiritual wisdom. There are kindle devices available in the church office for anyone that would like to read this book; first come, first serve. Let me know if you would like a 10am option, otherwise we meet at 6:30pm for a delightful discussion. April Book: Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved Kate Bowler Kate Bowler is a professor at Duke Divinity School with a modest Christian upbringing, but she specializes in the study of the prosperity gospel, a creed that sees fortune as a blessing from God and misfortune as a mark of God s disapproval. At thirty-five, everything in her life seems to point toward blessing. She is thriving in her job, married to her high school sweetheart, and loves life with her newborn son. Then she is diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. The prospect of her own mortality forces Kate to realize that she has been tacitly subscribing to the prosperity gospel, living with the conviction that she can control the shape of her life with a surge of determination. Even as this type of Christianity celebrates the American can-do spirit, it implies that if you can t do and succumb to illness or misfortune, you are a failure. Kate is very sick, and no amount of positive thinking will shrink her tumors. What does it mean to die, she wonders, in a society that insists everything happens for a reason? Kate is stripped of this certainty only to discover that without it, life is hard but beautiful in a way it never has been before. Frank and funny, dark and wise, Kate Bowler pulls the reader deeply into her life in an account she populates affectionately with a colorful, often hilarious retinue of friends, megachurch preachers, relatives, and doctors. Everything Happens for a Reason tells her story, offering up her irreverent, hard-won observations on dying and the ways it has taught her to live. 24
Prayer Corner We have been given many assurances in the bible that say, ask and you shall receive. If you aren t receiving it, maybe that s because you aren t asking according to His will. We define His will only by truly studying his word. Submitted by - Ruth Dronen 25
A PRAYER FOR LENT Merciful God, look upon us as we enter these forty days, bearing the mark of ashes, and bless our journey through the desert of Lent. May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms a making of peace; our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts. All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus, for in his cross you proclaim your love for ever and ever. Amen. 26
A PRAYER FOR PALM SUNDAY Eternal Giver of light, your steadfast love endures forever. Show us how to live. When we are afraid, angry, sad or rejected, teach us to live and love deeply, that we might find meaning and purpose, Even in the moments which require dying. Open our hearts to the Blessed One who comes so humbly, on a borrowed colt. Open before us the gates of your justice, that we may enter, confessing in Heaven and on Earth that Jesus is Lord. Amen. 27
FOR THE LOVE OF LENT Lent begins February 14th this year. Lent is a forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of preparation for the central event of Christian faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It has long been a time of fasting, self-denial and penitence. Lent is still a special time of spiritual growth and journeying We are invited during this holy season to be more intentional about our faith practices. There is an intentionality of focus on what is most pivotal, God s great love for us in Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice that was made for our salvation. The disciplines of Lent help us to repent and turn toward God. Lutherans still emphasize this time of penitence and spiritual preparation. Originally a time of intense preparation for those about to be baptized into the faith, it eventually became a time for all believers to practice self-examination and to walk more closely with God. So the invitation goes out each year, to return. Take advantage of the opportunity! Choose at least one faith practice for the Lenten season. Here are some ideas to get you started: Prayer. If you are not already in the habit of daily prayer, determine to make it your Lenten practice. To structure your prayer, remember the acronym PRAY: Praise (and thank), Repent (how have I messed up?), Ask (for yourself and for others), Yield (sit quietly in the presence of God). Or just pray that perfect prayer, The Lord's Prayer, slowly, dwelling on each petition. Or pull out your Lutheran rosary, and make time to pray the Small Catechism each day. Worship. Make the decision today: "I will be at worship every Sunday in Lent. I will worship on Wednesday. I will attend Holy Week worship including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services." When worship is a part of your breathing in and breathing out, God becomes a central part of your life, and the Body of Christ is renewed for sake of the world. Bible Study. Pick up the Lenten Devotional provided, Embodied: Mind, Body, Heart, Soul. Or, choose a book of the bible and read it as if for the first time. Read the foot notes. Look to a commentary. Read a psalm a day, listening for words and phrases that the Holy Spirit would lift up for you. Or, decide to join a group study: Sunday morning adult education will continue it s focus on the Lutheran Handbook. Then again, Wednesday morning study focusing on the New Testament ancestors in faith. Fasting. Classic for Lent. Give up something you enjoy for the six weeks, and whenever you long for it, let that longing remind you of the Lord who loves you and gave up everything for you. Or, fast one daily meal or one day a week, letting your hunger pains make you mindful of... (let the Holy Spirit fill in the blank). Almsgiving. 'Faith without works is dead' James tells us. Give money to a worthy cause. Give some of your time to someone or others in need. Consider tithing for Lent. Here's the challenge - don't choose one that seems easy (I will give up Brussel sprouts for Lent). Choose one you know will challenge you. Then count on God for assistance and give it your best shot. Forgive yourself for lapses - pick up and try again. And know that there is a whole community of fellow believers practicing too. 28
WEDNESDAY S WORSHIP IN LENT CONTINUES: Silent Witnesses There were many witnesses to the events which took place on that hill outside of Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago. An angry crowd gathered to be certain that their verdict of guilty be carried out in the sentence of death by crucifixion. A small group of the condemned man s followers milled about the crowd; still in shock over the injustice being meted out, many of them kept their identity secret to protect themselves from a similar fate. And some had to be there - those responsible for tending to the necessary tasks which went along with an execution. But there were other witnesses there as well, ones we don t usually think about, although they were even closer to the events than the crowd. In fact, they actually participated in those events in unique ways. They are the Silent Witnesses The Thorns The Robe The Nail The Spear The Shroud The Stone If only these things could speak! What might they tell us about the events from their viewpoint? Throughout this Lenten Season we will have the unusual, imaginative, challenging, and faithstrengthening opportunity to hear these normally Silent Witnesses! Join us for worship each week. 29
March 2018 March 1 - Thursday March 3 - Saturday March 4 - Sunday March 5 - Monday March 6 - Tuesday March 7 - Wednesday March 8 - Thursday March 9 - Friday March 11 - Sunday March 12 - Monday March 13 - Tuesday March 14 - Wednesday 9:00AM - Worship and Music 3:15PM - Chancel Bells 10:30AM - United Singles: Snacks & Games 3RD SUNDAY IN LENT BLOOD PRESSURE SUNDAY 9:30AM - Worship & Communion 10:45AM - Youth Sunday School 10:45AM - Red Larson s 92nd Birthday Reception 9:30AM - W-ELCA Sit & Chat 1:00PM - Staff Meeting 2:45PM - United in Prayer 6:30PM - Priscilla Circle 1:00 PM - Hannah Circle 6:30 PM - Blue Grass Gospel Band Practice 9:15AM - Deborah Circle 9:30AM - Circles: Mary, Naomi, Rachel, Sarah 4:30 PM - Orchestra Rehearsal 6:00 PM - Lenten Supper Service 7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal 9:00AM - Piecemakers 3:15 PM - Chancel Bells 6:00 PM - Council Meeting 6:00 PM - Family Art Night 4TH SUNDAY IN LENT DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS 9:30AM - Worship & Communion 10:45AM - Youth Sunday School 10:45AM - Adult Christian Education 8:00AM - Breakfast Club 1:00PM - Staff Meeting 2:45PM - United in Prayer 3:30PM - Stephen Ministries 6:30PM - Movie Night: Wonder 1:00PM - Martha Circle 6:30 PM - Blue Grass Gospel Band Practice 8:00AM - Bible Study 9:15AM - Bread for the World 9:30AM - W-ELCA Board Meeting 4:30 PM - Orchestra Rehearsal 6:00 PM - Lenten Supper Service 7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal 30
March 15 - Thursday March 17 - Saturday March 18 - Sunday March 19 - Monday March 20 - Tuesday March 21 - Wednesday March 22 - Thursday March 24 - Saturday March 25 - Sunday March 26 - Monday March 27 - Tuesday March 28 - Wednesday March 29 - Thursday March 30 - Friday 9:00AM - Piecemakers 3:15PM - Chancel Bells Rehearsal ST. PATRICK S DAY 11:30AM - Joppa Shepherd Group Meeting 5:00PM - Youth Fundraiser: St. Patrick s Day: Irish Stew Dinner 5TH SUNDAY IN LENT 9:30AM - Worship & Communion 10:45AM - Youth Sunday School 10:45AM - Reception in Fellowship Hall 1:00PM - Staff Meeting 2:45PM - United in Prayer 6:30PM - W-ELCA Gathering: How to Turn Your Thumb Green 6:30PM - Blue Grass Gospel Band Practice 9:00AM - Altar Guild 9:15AM - Visiting Phoebes 4:30 PM - Orchestra Rehearsal 6:00 PM - Lenten Supper Service 7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal 9:00AM - Piecemakers 3:15PM - Chancel Bells Rehearsal 9:30AM - Goshen Shepherd Group: Breakfast @ Papa Mike s 10:00AM - Simeon Shepherd Group: Brunch @ Papa Mike s PALM SUNDAY 9:30AM - Worship & Communion 10:45AM - Youth Sunday School 10:45AM - Adult Christian Education 1:00PM - Staff Meeting 2:45PM - United in Prayer 3:30PM - Stephen Ministries 6:30PM - Book Club 6:30PM - Blue Grass Gospel Band Practice 7:00PM - Watoto Children s Concert: Signs and Wonders 8:00AM - Bible Study 10:00AM - W-ELCA Bible Study Leaders 5:45PM - Orchestra Rehearsal 7:00PM - Choir Rehearsal MAUNDY THURSDAY 9:00AM - Piecemakers 3:15PM - Chancel Bells 6:00PM - Seder Meal 7:30PM - Maundy Thursday Worship Service GOOD FRIDAY 7:00PM - Good Friday Worship Service 31
March 11th, 2018 UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH We are a Stephen Ministry Church Address: 100 Cooper Road Bella Vista AR 72715 Phone: 479-855-1325 Email: admin@unitedlutheranbv.org Website: www.unitedlutheranbv.org LIKE US on Facebook: @ United Lutheran Church 32