Messenger March 2016 - Ascension Lutheran Church
Transcription
Messenger March 2016 - Ascension Lutheran Church
Messenger MESSENGER “Loved By Christ Sharing Christ’s Love” March 2016 What’s a “Tre Ore?” Page 2 ASCENSION EVANGELICAL AL LUTHERAN CHURCH 5347 Donovan Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63109-2695 Church Office: (314) 832-5600 Fax: (314) 832-5601 www.ascensionstl.com Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Services: Saturday 5:00 p.m. & Sunday 8:15 a.m. Traditional Liturgy & Music Sunday 11:00 a.m. Traditional Liturgy & Contemporary Music Sunday School for Children and Adults: 9:45 a.m. REV. MATTHEW CLARK - Pastor PAMELA FOX - Office Manager SHERRY ELLIOTT - Administrative Assistant JAMES THIELKER - Organist/Choir Director WANDA KUNTZ - Worship Team Director BARBARA HARTUNG - Parish Nurse KATHY THIES - Housekeeper JERRY KASSING - Coordinator of Member Ministry GAGAN GURUNG - Nepali Evangelist REV. PETER & KRISTIE KOLB-Asia Missionaries Supported through Together In Mission People loved by Christ, Each year on Ascension’s schedule of Holy Week services, we list the “Tre Ore” service on Good Friday afternoon. But what exactly is a “Tre Ore” service? It doesn’t even sound like English! Well, it’s not English. It’s actually Latin. The Latin atin phrase, “Tre Ore,” simply means, “three hours.” The concept of a three hour worship service comes from the words of Matthew 27:45, “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness covered the land.” For three hours, from noon until three, as our Savior avior hung on the cross, darkness was everywhere. The sun stopped shining as Jesus bore the sins of the world. So, we gather for worship on Good Friday during those same three hours, to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and the forgiveness He won for us. Our Tre Ore service is a circuit-wide circuit event involving Lutheran Church—Missouri Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations in the th area. This year, the service is being held at Concordia Lutheran Church in Maplewood. The Tre Ore service includes special Lent music as well as Scripture readings based on Jesus’ seven words from the cross. Area pastors will also share messages based bas on these seven words. This year, I will be giving a message on Jesus’ “Third Word” from the cross around 1 pm. Feel free to come for as long as your time allows. If you are not able to attend the Tre Ore service in person, the worship will also be broadcast oadcast live on KFUO radio AM 850. Pastor’s email address is pastor@ascensionstl.com Note: Staff email addresses are “firstname”@ascensionstl.com ASCENSION MINISTRY COUNCIL MEMBERS Doug Pfitzinger Brad Muhlke Mark Duerr Katlyne Thies Nathan Decker Carol Benninghoff Sharon Headrick Mike Gibbs Michelle Brown Karen Hilkerbaumer You can contact Council Members via email: firstname.council@ascensionstl.com ASCENSION ELDERS A to C C- Rich Schaefer - (314) 644-0897 N to Q - Clarence Goetsch - (314) 647-3077 647 D to Headrick - Randy Agne (314) 353-7633 R to S - Jack Pendleton - (314) 353-5412 353 Helfrich to K - Mark Maxfield (314) 776-6001 L to M - Gary Notch - (314) 644-4118 644 T to Z – Nathan Decker – (618) 615-0729 Elder to Nepali Members Gagan Gurung – (314) 708-9554 Elders Chair is Randy Agne - (314) 353-7633 You can contact Elders via email: firstname.elder@ascensionstl.com God bless your Good Friday worship, Pastor Clark ASCENSION WORD OF LIFE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS Erika Schulz (314) 413 413-0128 President, Troy Hansen (314) 703-6037 Abby Wheeler (314) 482-3261 482 MESSENGER Page 3 Member Changes . . . Baptisms: Katherine Irene Smith, dtr. of Eric & Rachel Smith (Benninghoff) on 2/13/16 MESSENGER Page 4 Lenten/Easter Schedule Address Change: Jason & Kori Lewis, dtr: Gianna, 83 Wilderness Ln, Defiance, MO 633412402 Transfer In: Sue Logan, daughter Katie Moeller, 403 Redbud Court, Pacific, MO 630691853 from New Beginnings Lutheran Church, 791 New Beginnings Drive, Pacific, Mo 63069 Weddings: Timothy Stock and Heather Barfield on 2/14/2016 Kolbs Korner January 2016 “For You My Friend” My son, Matthew loves to ride in the taxies in Hong Kong. Matthew indeed appreciates getting around faster, but his real joy is handing the taxi driver a copy of the Small Catechism in Chinese. Since we do not speak Cantonese, and very few taxi drivers speak English, Matthew loves to hand the driver this gift. Who do you have in your life that needs to know about the Savior of the world” Maybe you could invite them to church or . Sunday School where they will learn about Jesus. Possibly give them a copy of the Small Catechism God’s richest blessings to you! Daily Life . . . Laundry is a perpetual event in the Klob household. With 10 ld us, it just never seems to end. Thankfully, we do have a laundry room which doubles as Micah’s bedroom. It is a cozy little place that is lovingly referred to as Micah’s Hobbit Hole. We have no dryer. So our daily loads of laundry are hauled up to the roof when the weather permits. The challenge is monsoon season, when the days are dreary and wet. Those days, we decorate the house with wet laundry. Lenten Services March 2, 2016 11:00 am & 7:00 pm Lunch at Noon – Chicken Tetrazzini, Salad, Green Beans, Dessert Supper 5:30 – Men’s Club Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese Lenten Services March 9, 2016 Lunch at Noon - Manicotti, Salad, Corn, Dessert 11:00 am & 7:00 pm Supper 5:30 – Jr. Youth Chicken Tetrazzini, Salad, Rolls Lenten Services March 16, 2016 11:00 am & 7:00 pm Lunch at Noon - Corned Beef, Potato Salad, Applesauce, Dessert Supper 5:30 – Young Adult 20s & 30s Group White Chicken Chili, Dessert, Drink Maundy Thursday Communion Service March 24, 2016 Communion Service 11:00 am & 7:00 pm Good Friday Service March 25, 2016 Tre Ore 12:00 - 3:00 pm. at Concordia Lutheran Church-Maplewood Tenebrae - 7:00 pm At Ascension Lutheran Church Easter Communion Services March 27, 2016 8:00 a.m., 9:30 am & 11:00 am With Communion Easter Breakfast – Sr. Youth 7:30 am-10:30 am MESSENGER Page 5 Ascension Activities . . . Easter Lily Order Form 40 EASTER LILIES NEEDED Donations are needed to purchase the lilies that grace our altar on Easter Sunday. The cost of the lily is $9.00. Please use the form below to order or call the church office with your order. Make checks payable to Ascension Lutheran Church. Thank you. Name _____________________________________ Number ordered _____ Total @ $9.00 __________ I will pick up ______ I will not pick up ______ Dedication __________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Lilies may be picked up after the 11 am service on Easter, March 27, 2016 Please note: Lilies will be discarded after April 1 PRIDE OF LIONS. HERD OF CATTLE. School of fish. What do you call a group of bunnies? Ascension’s third annual Easter Egg Hunt, that’s what. Herd up all your bunnies for this must-attend, free event. We’ll have games, crafts, a bounce house, pictures with the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt. But most importantly, this might be the only chance to hear the real story of Easter for lots of bunnies who won’t hear it anywhere else. Whatever you call your group of bunnies, just make sure they’re here on Saturday, March 12 from 9 am-11:30 am APRIL 16 – 8:30–11:00 – ASCENSION WOMEN’S TEA PARTY RETREAT Preparations are underway for our second annual mini-retreat. All women of Ascension are invited to bring their friends and family for a morning of fun and renewal. Author Katie Schuermann will be the speaker. Katie has written for many publications including The Lutheran Witness and Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly. Some of the CPH books she has written are Pew Sisters, House of Living Stones and The Choir Immortal. Hope you can join us for this morning of food, music, and inspiration with your sisters in Christ. MESSENGER Page 6 KFUO AM850 BROADCASTS Ascension will once again be sponsoring broadcasts from May 1 through July 31. Anyone who wishes to sponsor a broadcast, please contact the church office at (314) 832-5600. The cost $150.00 per broadcast and your name and dedication will be in the church News and Notes and aired on the radio. SERMON SERIES: THE 7 LENTEN LETTERS OF REVELATION The final book of the Bible is Revelation where the Apostle John receives a vision of heaven itself. In Revelation there are also 7 letters written to 7 different churches. Each letter contains a call to repent. What do these letters have to do with the Church today? If God were to write a letter to our congregation, or to you personally, what would it say? In this season of Lent, how is God calling us to repentance? Come and find out during 7 special sermons this Lent in our Wednesday (and Maundy Thursday) services! February 10 February 17 February 24 March 2 March 9 March 16 March 24 Letter to Ephesus Letter to Smyrna Letter to Pergamum Letter to Thyatira Letter to Sardis Letter to Philadelphia Letter to Laodicea RUMMAGE SALE Mark your calendar for the first Saturday in June, 6 for our annual rummage sale. We know it is early but when you begin performing that spring cleaning, remember to put aside your “gems’ for our sale. Many volunteers are needed to make this a success. Plus it is a GREAT event for fellowship and fun! Watch up-coming bulletins & Messengers for more information. Did You Know . . . Our 1st year seminarian student, Jeff Jenkins, was an architect in Oklahoma City before coming to the seminary. He and his wife, Fadia, have one daughter in graduate school in Oregon. They make their home at 1024 a Claytonia Terrace, St. Louis, MO. Jeff’ - (405) 590-7894, Fadia (405) 496-8507 MESSENGER Page 7 MESSENGER Page 8 MESSENGER Page 9 MESSENGER Page 10 Nepali News . . . CELEBRATING MORE NEPALI BAPTISMS AND CONFIRMATIONS! A group of 8 Nepali new Americans recently completed instruction in Luther’s Small Catechism led by Pastor Clark and translated into Nepali by our Nepali Evangelist, Gagan Gurung. This is the third bi-lingual confirmation class at Ascension. On Sunday, March 6 at the 11 am service, 1 Nepalese man will be baptized and 8 Nepalese adults will be confirmed. We say, “Jai Mashi!” or “Praise the Lord!” for expanding His Kingdom! CONGRATULATIONS to our brother and sister in Christ, Chattra & Shiva Gurung who became United States citizens on February 26, 2016, at the Thomas F. Eagleton court building. NEPALI NEEDS Ascension’s growing number of Nepalese members regularly have various needs as they settle into a new land and home. The longest length of time any of our Nepalese members have been in the United States is approximately 7 years, with new refugees still arriving. When new immigrants arrive they bring very little with them to the US. We plan to begin regularly listing different practical needs our Nepali members have. If you would like to help meet these needs, please contact the church office. At this time, needs include: microwave, air conditioning window unit, washer, and dryer. CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF NEW AMERICANS will once again be hosting Health and Wellness screenings at the Peace Center throughout the year. See the bulletin board in the church lobby with the 2016 dates. We are always looking for volunteers for registrars, pracitioners, and drivers. This can be a one-time or on-going relationship. For additional information or to ask any questions, please contact Laura Brink, lvbrink@gmail.com, (314) 249-9219. CHANGE WITHOUT DEPENDENCY! You are invited to a special morning with Lutherans in Medical Missions (LIMM) LIMM.org to learn the culturally relevant, life changing LePSAS participatory teaching method. Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) cfna-stl.org is hosting this at the Peace Center, 4019 S. Grand Blvd., 63118 on March 12, Saturday, 8 am-1 pm. Registration: buckmancal@aol.com or phone/text (314) 517-8513 MESSENGER Page 11 MESSENGER Page 12 From Our Parish Nurse, Barbara Hartung . . . BABY SHOWER Please Partner with us for a Baby Shower for Thrivent Pare arent University and Thrive St. Louis. Hosted by Seminary Life Team. Items needed: ARE YOU CONFUSED by all the governmental insurances that are available? • Medicare • Medicade-Mo Health Net • Affordable Care Act If interested, we will arrange for a speaker to visit on a designated evening to help clear up some of your confusion. Call Barb Hartung, Parish Nurse at (314) 772-6651 or the church office at (314) 832-5600. Car Seats Pack-n-Play Bouncy Seats Booster Seats Strollers Swings Diaper Bags Bath Towel & Tubs Sheets for Pack Pack-n-Play New Toys Socks Nursery Picture Frames & Lamps Gently used items are welcome as well. Please place your items in the box ox in the Lobby by March 7. Thank you for helping new parents and their babies! ASCENSION EVENING GUILD will meet on Tues., March 8th at 6:30 for a Potluck meal. The entree (meatloaf) and dessert (ice cream) will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share. We will have a short meeting following the meal then assemble the invitations for our Mini-Retreat Mini on Sat., April 16th. Ladies come and be our guest for the pot luck. Questions? Call Dianne Thies-802-7969. Thies Also a reminder; the next bake sale is Sat. & Sun., March 19 & 20, 2 before and after all services. VBS Vibes . . . SAVE THE DATE! On April 29th, a trivia night will be held to benefit this summer's Vacation Bible School. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and trivia will begin at 6:30 p.m. The cost for a table of 8 is $40 or $10 per person. Alcohol is not permitted, but outside food is welcome! So gather up some friends for a night of trivia and fellowship to support a wonderful cause! To reserve your table, please contact Sarah Headrick at sheadrick@wordoflifeschool.net or (608) 345-1704. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Time for some fun on the farm! Ascension's 2016 Vacation Bible School will be held June 13-17th. 13 Our theme this year is Barnyardd Roundup and we are looking forward to a exciting week sharing God's Word with the children of our church and community. More details will be coming soon on how to register or volunteer! Youth Yammerings . . . 3/4 3/9 3/13 3/13 3/27 Sr. Youth-Make Easter Candy Jr. Youth Lenten Meal-chicken Tetrazzini Youth Disciples-away-Shrewsbury Lanes Jr. Youth-away-Rollercade Sr. Youth-Easter Breakfast 6:00pm-10:00pm 5:30pm-7:00pm 12:30pm-3:00pm 12:30pm-3:00pm 7:30am-10:30am Sunday School Scene . . . ASCENSION HAS A DEDICATED GROUP OF PERSONS who servee as a Sunday School teachers. Occasionally, a teacher is not able to be with their class. In order ord to ensure that our Sunday School classes serve children well, we would like to have subst bstitute teachers on those occasio sions. To help make that work, we would like to maintain a list of substitute teachers wee ccan call on when needed. Persons on the list would have thee option o whether to serve when ca called. Our classes are staffed by two persons, so substitutess w would not have to serve alone.. O On most occasions there would not be any preparation that would wo be required. Please consider this opportunity to serve. If you would like to serve, or have questions, please contact John Brink – (314) 265-4844; john.brink@tblawfirm.com. Word of Life Lights . . . AT THE START of the 2015/2016 school year, Word of Life Lutheran School reports a 20% increase in enrollment over last year! Word of Life is comprised of three campuses in St. Louis. Kindergarten through eighth grade is located at Ascension Lutheran Church with preschool hool classes held at Timothy and St. Lucas. “This increase brings even more opportunities and new programs. In addition to that, our large increase in enrollment has also enhanced our already diverse student population,” said Alicia Klug, Principal. “We feel truly blessed to have such a large increase this year. It is an exciting time at Word of Life.” Students at Word of Life excel academically with test scores ranking above the charter and public schools in the area. A wide variety of programs and oppo opportunities to tap into the unique abilities of each student are available. MESSENGER Page 13 HELP US WIN A PLAYGROUND MAKEOVER! http:www.togethercounts.com/at-school/win-for-your-school school The Together ogether Counts organization is awarding $30,000 playground makeover and you can help us by voting for Word of Life! Our zip code is 63109 and you can access and vote at the above link daily. The more you vote the better our chances! From school to home it’s critical for our students to have access to activities that th reinforce what is learned in the classroom with the importance of achieving energy and balance for life. Please share with family and friends as well to vote for WOL! Context ends March 25, 2016. Thank you! WORD OF LIFE MUSICAL Come ome join us on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 pm as we present the musical “Cross Country” in the Word of Life gym. A “dress rehearsal” performance will be at 9:00 am on March 10 for grandparents (and church members that may want to attend). PTL DINNER FUNDRAISERS: Dining out can help support Word of Life School! Please mark these dates on your calendar and join the Word of Life family for food, fellowship, and fun. MESSENGER Page 14 IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-OLIVETTE invite vites you to attend th their 28 Annual Sausage Supper and Spring Bazaar on Sunda day, March 6, 2016, from noon-4 pm. (Carry outs until 5 pm). All-you-can-eat saus ausage, real mashed potatoes, saue uerkraut, green beans, applesauce, bread and dessert will be served. serv Adults: $11; children 6-12 12 $5; 6 and under free. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors rs and enjoy a great home cooked meal. You can also do some shopping at the Spring Bazaar, featuring many hand handmade unique items. Call (314) 993 993-2394 2394 or visit immanuelolivette.org for more information. informati “REMEMBER CALVARY, CELEBRATING HIS GLORY” St. Louis Metro Singers Concerts: Sunday, March 13, 2016, 3:00 pm, St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 6303 Nottingham, StL, Mo 63109 Sunday, March, 30, 2016, 3:00 pm, St. Anthony Padua Catholic Church, 3140 Meramec St. StL, MO 63118 Tuesday, March 8at Panda Express:6404 S. Lindbergh Thursday, April 14th at Texas Road House: 1220 S. Kirkwood Road Monday, May 16th at Culver's: 10200 Big Bend Road Thursday, June 2nd at Cecil Whittaker’s (all day): Neighborhood News . . . CHRIST MEMORIAL PRODUCTIONS invites you to attend Once Upon a Tree,, on March 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. or March 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Christ Memorial at 5252 S. Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63126. FREE Reserved Seating is available at CMPShows.org beginning January 30 at 4:00 p.m. online and at the Church. Tickets ts will continue to be made available online and at the Church, Monday through Friday 9:00 am. – 4:00 p.m., Saturdays from 4:30 -5:00 5:00 pm and Sundays from 9:00 - 11:00 am. Visit our website or email Tickets@CMPShows.org for additional information. Sunday, April 10, 2016, 3:00 pm, St. Margaret Alacoque Catholic Church, 4900 Ringer Rd, StL, MO 63129. FYI Ascension Members Carol Benninghoff and Mar Mary Pastor are both memb mbers of the Metro singers Choir. LADIES, PLEASE JOIN US for a Titus 2'sday evening! Tuesday, March 29, 6:30-8:30 pm. Topic: Women’s Health. Presented by the Women’s Center of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and nd Progress West Foundation. Free admission, refreshments and Christian fellowship. Invite a friend! Titus 2’sday is a women’s mentoringg ministry m based on Titus 2:3, which reads: ""Teach the older women to…teach what is good. Then Th they can train the younger women.” Hosted by Zion Lutheran Church Harvester, 3866 S.. Old O Hwy 94, Saint Charles, MO 63304; www.zionharvesterwomensnetwork.org MESSENGER Page 15 WOMEN’S ’S DAY OF RENEWAL XVI “Call to Peace” It’s not too late to register for Women’s Day of Renewal XVI held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois on Friday and Saturday, April 1 & 2, 2016. This year’s keynote presentation will be Call to Peace (Peace for the Past, Peace for the Present, Peace for the Future), Future) based on Philippians 4:7. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Come join us on April 1 & 2 to be encouraged by the Prince of Peace who transforms regret for the past, anxiety in the present and worry for the future into comfort, serenity and hope. The keynote speakers will be two talented sisters and pastors’ wives, Rosie Adle and Rebekah Curtis. In addition to our keynote program, prog each attendee can personalize her day with workshops and lunch options! Women of all ages are invited to attend! You will find registration forms and more information at www.facebook.com/goodshepherdwdr or www.goodshepherdcollinsville.org or contact Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 618-344-3151. 3151. Bring a friend and enjoy a day of fellowship and spiritual renewal! THE LUTHERAN CONVALESCENT HOME AUXILIARY is currently conducting its Annual Lenten Benefactor Appeal. The Benefactor Fund assists in providing care for residents living at the Lutheran Convalescent Home whose financial resources have been depleted. The Lutheran Convalescent Home is known as the Laclede Groves Care Center. Gifts ts to this appeal are used100% to help aging adults in need. An invitation to the annual Benefactor Luncheon will be extended to donors contributing $100.00 or more per person by March 29, 2016. This elegant luncheon at Greenbriar Country Club on Wednesday, April 6 is a “thank you” gift from an anonymous donor. As God enables and moves you. Please send your contribution to: Lutheran Convalescent onvalescent Home Auxiliary (Benefactor Fund) Fun 723 S. Laclede Station Road Saint Louis, MO 63119-4911 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND! April 22 at 7 pm – April 24, 2016 at 4 pm at holiday Inn, 10709 Watson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63127. Married husbands and wives can apply now at GodLovesMarriages.org or contact Tom & Kathy Von Behren at vonbeh@sbcglobal.net or (636) 343-9453 343 for more information. But hurry! Pre-registration registration is required and weekends weeke fill fast – be sure to apply by March 22, 2016! Please ease join us in recognizing those in our congregation who are celebrating them when you see them in worship. Contact the church offic fice if your birthday or anniversary is not listed so we can add it to our member data base. Our In-Home Home Ministry members are indicated by an* to . . . 3/1 3/3 3/4 3/5 3/6 3/7 3/8 3/9 3/10 3/12 3/13 3/14 3/15 3/16 3/17 3/18 Pahal Gurung, Sara Jaggie Diane Broughton, Paul Hyde, Janey Rathgeber Marietta Oster Sandra Pfeuffer Christopher Bergholt, Tanya Windmiller Lara Corvera, Patricia Hellweg James Barman Tirtha Gurung, Jenny Kesel, Arlo Otto, Jenna Tervort, Lindsey Watkins Connie Colloton Ran Gurung, Kira Kamp, Joseph Russo JJr. Barbara Corvera, Clarence Goetsch Lindsey Beasley, Michael Gibbs, Nancy Pfitzinger Ronald Danback, Lois Schnitzmeier Ellie Bickel, Nicholas Mueller, Jaina Stus Robert Hofmann Ally Jurkiewicz, Ava Jurkiewicz, Jessika Ost Oster, Ashley Quinn, Emily Rundquist 3/19 Maina Gurung 3/20 Natalie Bremer, Bhumika Gurung, Laxchhai Gurung 3/21 Carol Benninghoff 3/22 Otto Hintze, Catherine Lee 3/23 Joe McQuay 3/24 Lee Enders, Jack Pendleton 3/26 Arleen Kassing 3/27 Carl Anderson, Noah Boeyink, Virginia Bude, Santa Gurung, 3/30 Joshua Arand, Arthur Graudin 3/31 Bonita Benda, Katherine McMeans to . . . 3/1 3/3 3/8 3/9 3/13 3/14 3/19 3/22 3/26 3/27 Ed & Lisa Holderle Becky & Melvin Ball Jon & Bee Danback, Jonathan & Sarah Marie Gibbs J & Erika Schulz Gretchen & James Hogenmueller Michael & Deborah Gibbs George & Jennifer Sweeny Sharon & Kevin Keller Sarah & John Maleas, Ronald & Kristine Schneidewind Jennifer Hilkerbaumer-Yocum Hilkerbaumer & Nathan Yocum