MARCH 2019 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 2702 Hwy 29 North Alexandria, MN 56308 1-320-762-5152 www.goodshepherd-lcms.org 1. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES The other week I read a devotion from the Lutheran Hour Min- istry. It talked about enemies. Here are the thoughts that struck me and moved me to share: “Jesus says something startling. He says, "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! " Apparently, there is one time when we ought to be glad to have enemies who mistreat us—it’s when they are doing it on account of Jesus. Jesus also says, "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." Appar- ently, it's a bad sign to have no enemies at all . It suggests we aren't standing up for what's right—that we are too similar to the world in which we live —that we fit in better with the ungodly than we do with Jesus!!! That's not good! Christians naturally attract enemies because we just don't fit well into our world . If you follow Christ, sooner or later you are likely to face a decision: do I do the right thing and get somebody angry at me, or do I fold and keep everybody happy with me? Though we are tempted to fold, the Holy Spirit pushes us to do what's right. And our enemy collection begins. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes we pick up enemies, not because we are doing good, but because we deserve it—in our sinfulness we have hurt someone or misbe- haved or brought shame on the Name of Christ. If our enemies come from doing evil, that is not something to be happy about. That means it's time to repent. But if we do what's right for the sake of our Savior Jesus and pick up an enemy or two? Jesus' promise applies to us. "Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to attract enemies only for the right reason—for love of You and Your people. Amen. (LHM Daily Devo for Feb. 14, 2019) The warning is: has our not wanting to make enemies stopped us from following Jesus? Has our faith-walk as a believer/ church taken back seat to not making enemies? Has a goal of grow- ing and building the church and doing what’s most comfortable for me taken first place in how we live our daily life and making plans? I believe we are to take a stand verbally and with actions. I also believe we need to do so in ways people see and hear us being Caring Believers Sharing Joy. Jesus said more than once to those wrongly judging him and his disciples: “Go and learn what this means: ‘God desires MERCY; not Sacri- fice.’ (Matthew 12) In all four Gospels Jesus says: “LOVE YOUR ENE- MIES.” Do you? Do you love enemies the way Jesus says to do so? In our wayward thinking, we think and do different. How do you react to enemies? Jesus tells us: “love.” It’s not good enough to have knowledge of the Truth. Jesus wants us to be cleansed by Truth. Jesus prayed: “Father, clean them by your Truth. Your WORD is TRUTH.” (John 17:17) The Truth is: God’s Truth cleans our behavior and our attitude. God’s Word has power to clean our actions and words to reflect Jesus. Are you and I reflecting Jesus? Even though Jesus was betrayed, spoken of as evil, ridiculed, and hated – he still lived and died for his enemies as well as other sinners. Jesus says: “Whoever is NOT with me IS against me, and whoev- er does not gather with me, scatters.” Are you with Jesus or against him? Look at your actions. Look at your attitude and demean- or. Do you reflect Jesus’ joy? Do you help Jesus gather or scatter? The harvest is lost people who have become found. The harvest is lost people finding out and believing Jesus is Savior. Are you helping people find Jesus or are you putting up road blocks of judgment, separation, and rejection? Look closely. Do you dare to remove the plank from your own eye? God’s Word of Truth does this. If you are not in God’s Word how can God do this? Jesus lived to die to save people. Jesus made His church to seek and save people. Jesus equipped his church to seek and catch people with God’s net of love and grace. Jesus made the church able to steal away sinners from hell’s fire. Let’s do it! Let’s learn to live as Jesus’ disciples. Let’s take the next steps and be: Caring Believers Sharing Joy! Let’s join in and allow/follow God’s Word to equip and teach us how to love both enemies and sinners. A Blessed Lent to you! Pastor Tim
Transcript
MARCH 2019 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
2702 Hwy 29 North
Alexandria, MN 56308 1-320-762-5152
www.goodshepherd-lcms.org
1.
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES The other week I read a devotion from the Lutheran Hour Min-istry. It talked about enemies. Here are the thoughts that struck me and moved me to share: “Jesus says something startling. He says, "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" Apparently, there is one time when we ought to be glad to have enemies who mistreat us—it’s when they are doing it on account of Jesus. Jesus also says, "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." Appar-ently, it's a bad sign to have no enemies at all . It suggests we aren't standing up for what's right—that we are too similar to the world in which we live—that we fit in better with the ungodly than we do with Jesus!!! That's not good! Christians naturally attract enemies because we just don't fit well into our world . If you follow Christ, sooner or later you are likely to face a decision: do I do the right thing and get somebody angry at me, or do I fold and keep everybody happy with me? Though we are tempted to fold, the Holy Spirit pushes us to do what's right. And our enemy collection begins. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes we pick up enemies, not because we are doing good, but because we deserve it—in our sinfulness we have hurt someone or misbe-haved or brought shame on the Name of Christ. If our enemies come from doing evil, that is not something to be happy about. That means it's time to repent. But if we do what's right for the sake of our Savior Jesus and pick up an enemy or two? Jesus' promise applies to us. "Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to attract enemies only for the right reason—for love of You and Your people. Amen. (LHM Daily Devo for Feb. 14, 2019) The warning is: has our not wanting to make enemies stopped us from following Jesus? Has our faith-walk as a believer/church taken back seat to not making enemies? Has a goal of grow-ing and building the church and doing what’s most comfortable for me taken first place in how we live our daily life and making plans?
I believe we are to take a stand verbally and with actions. I also believe we need to do so in ways people see and hear us being Caring Believers Sharing Joy. Jesus said more than once to those wrongly judging him and his disciples: “Go and learn what this means: ‘God desires MERCY; not Sacri-fice.’ (Matthew 12) In all four Gospels Jesus says: “LOVE YOUR ENE-MIES.” Do you? Do you love enemies the way Jesus says to do so? In our wayward thinking, we think and do different. How do you react to enemies? Jesus tells us: “love.” It’s not good enough to have knowledge of the Truth. Jesus wants us to be cleansed by Truth. Jesus prayed: “Father, clean them by your Truth. Your WORD is TRUTH.” (John 17:17) The Truth is: God’s Truth cleans our behavior and our attitude. God’s Word has power to clean our actions and words to reflect Jesus. Are you and I reflecting Jesus? Even though Jesus was betrayed, spoken of as evil, ridiculed, and hated – he still lived and died for his enemies as well as other sinners. Jesus says: “Whoever is NOT with me IS against me, and whoev-er does not gather with me, scatters.” Are you with Jesus or against him? Look at your actions. Look at your attitude and demean-or. Do you reflect Jesus’ joy? Do you help Jesus gather or scatter? The harvest is lost people who have become found. The harvest is lost people finding out and believing Jesus is Savior. Are you helping people find Jesus or are you putting up road blocks of judgment, separation, and rejection? Look closely. Do you dare to remove the plank from your own eye? God’s Word of Truth does this. If you are not in God’s Word how can God do this? Jesus lived to die to save people. Jesus made His church to seek and save people. Jesus equipped his church to seek and catch people with God’s net of love and grace. Jesus made the church able to steal away sinners from hell’s fire. Let’s do it! Let’s learn to live as Jesus’ disciples. Let’s take the next steps and be: Caring Believers Sharing Joy! Let’s join in and allow/follow God’s Word to equip and teach us how to love both enemies and sinners. A Blessed Lent to you! Pastor Tim
2.
LENTEN SERIES
At the
Crossroads Join us for Worship
Wednesday Evenings beginning:
Ash Wednesday March 6th
7:00p.m.
Many of those involved in the story of the Passion of Christ came to a crossroads and had to decide which way to go. Some chose well, some did not, and the stories of each of these experiences at various crossroads helps us to know what to do and what not to do when we encounter similar crossroads in our own lives. In the end, each ser-vice in the series reveals in some way how Christ and his cross help us to decide which path is in line with God’s will for us.
March 6th-Ash Wednesday Confession • Psalm 32:1-5 As a model for us, the psalmist David reaches the cross-roads of confession and confesses his sins to the Lord. We are called to confess our sins to the Son of David and find forgiveness in him.
March 13th-Week 1 Betrayal • John 13:21-30 When Judas Iscariot comes to the point where he must either listen to Jesus or listen to the devil, he chooses to betray Jesus. When we are tempted by Satan to betray our Lord, we must gain strength from our Savior to say, “No” to the devil.
March 20th-Week 2 Judgment • Matthew 27:11-26 When Pontius Pilate is called upon by the crowds to make a judgment call about Jesus, his decision not to decide results in the death of Christ. We look to the cross of Christ to make definitive judgment calls in our lives.
March 27th-Week 3 Compassion • Luke 22:47-51 When Jesus is taken into custody, he chooses to show compassion to a wounded participant in the arrest. We are called to show compassion, not anger, even to those in our midst whom we might consider our enemies.
April 3rd-Week 4 Declaration • Luke 22:54-62 When Peter is asked to declare whether or not he knows Jesus, he decides to deny his Savior. When ques-tioned about our Lord, we are called to boldly declare our faith in Christ.
April 10th-Week 5
Obedience • Matthew 26:36-46
When Jesus nears the time when he must die for our
sins, he asks his Father if the cup might pass from him.
But when the time comes, he obeys his Father’s will.
When we are called upon to follow God’s will, we
must obey.
We have “At the Crossroads” Devotional Booklets
available.
Join us for our Lenten Super Suppers before worship
at 6:00p.m.
Please check-out the Needs List and the sign-ups for group
ministries to HOST one of the suppers during Lent.
3.
Submitted by: Elaine Beulke
The LWML met on Monday, February 25. We had Bible Study.
We are also planning for 2 events:
- LWML Prayer Service on March 25 at 7 p.m. All ladies are welcome to join us for the Prayer Service and fellowship. Zion LWML is also invited.
- Alexandria Zone Spring Rally on May 3rd. More in-formation to follow.
LWML will be your hosts for the March 27th Lenten Supper.
Submitted by: Amory Anderson
We begin the Lenten Season in March, with Ash Wednesday being March 6th. The color for Lent is violet, symbolizing sorrow and repentance. For Ash Wednesday the alternate color is black, the color for mourning, humiliation, and death. When black is used for Ash Wednesday, paraments are then changed to violet for Thursday and not back to white or green of the previous Sunday. The mood of Lent is subdued, no flowers, pictures or other ornaments, if they can’t be removed, they should be covered with an unbleached linen or violet veil.
Our March Altar care givers are: Erin Johnson, Carol Rasmussen and Kari Kremer. Please also take time to thank Marian Brelje and Marilyn Groth for their willing-ness to do Altar care in February.
A little reminder to look at the board by Shirley’s office to see NEEDS for the Soup Suppers each Wednesday evening before worship, your participation would be appreciated.
Submitted by: Deb Hull
March into spring- WOW wouldn’t that be nice? After all the cold and snow we have had this year it really would be something to be Thankful for.
So thankful that our small voices can be so mighty in our worshiping of our Savior- thanks parents, teachers and children for your great showing of mighty love in your singing for February. Also- Denise and Wanda for the leadership and choice of music, Kari for always being there with singing support and actions We LOVE the Squad.
Another thing to be THANKFUL for- OUR TEACH-ERS/HELPERS- We thank them all for stepping up and helping our children learn about GOD and his blessings, forgiveness, and love. We are always looking for addi-tional “Caring Believers” who would like to SHARE the JOY of Jesus! Interested? Just a quick visit with one of the SQUAD is all you need to do-any time you have is helpful to our mission of sharing the JOY!
As we approach Lent and the Easter season stay tuned for updates from teachers/staff on upcoming items that the children will be doing. We look forward to hosting a Lenten Supper in April where Sunday School will be helping with serving/clean-up and providing dishes to share.
Also, we will again be performing for church services in April and May stay tuned for information on those dates and songs.
Planning will also begin for our Year End celebration/Confirmation recognition and Graduation celebrations- if you have ideas for games, music or anything you think the kids would love to do, or ideas on how the kids can share in the JOY of giving with their offerings- please place your suggestion in the Sunday School office for us.
Lastly, we Thank you for all your continued support and prayers for our Sunday School Family!
Thinking SPRING
Sunday School
Altar Guild News
LWML
4.
Lenten Suppers! WE ALWAYS HAVE FUN BEFORE THE
WORSHIP SERVICE!
COME JOIN US ...6:00p.m.
March 6th-Potluck
Marcy 13th-Chicken
March 20th-Lasagna
March 27th-Taco’s-Hosted by:
LWML
April 3rd-Hot Dish-Hosted by:
Our Sunday School
April 10th-Soup
Please look at the sign-up sheets to
see what is needed for each
Wednesday.
ALSO-G.S. Family! We are still in
need of groups to HOST one of the
suppers. If you have questions, please
contact Shirley in the church office -
762-5152
March Chuckles What do you call a fake Irish stone?
A shamrock!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Little Boy: Mom, I met an Irish boy
on St. Patrick’s Day.
Mom: Oh, really?
Little Boy: No, O’Reilly!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why shouldn’t you iron a four-leaf clover?
Because You might press your luck!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On what musical instrument did the showoff musician
play his St. Patrick’s Day tunes?
On his brag-pipes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Where do leprechauns buy their groceries?
Rainbow Foods!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Carrot: Knock, knock.
Potato: Who’s there?
Carrot: Irish stew.
Potato: Irish stew, who?
Carrot: Irish stew in the name of the law.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What did the leprechaun say on March 17? “Irish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”
Mar. 1… Kelsey Hasz
Lori Ziegler
Mar. 2… Shirley Johnson
Kylie Williams
Mar. 4...Carol Barenz
Aspen Schoenrock
Mar. 10… Jan Seward
Mar. 11...Reid Johnson
Carol Rasmussen
Mar. 12...Geri Luedeke
Audrey Robatcek
Mar. 14…Bryan Erickson
Stefanie Thompson
Mar. 15...Sam Bettermann
Mar. 16…Wanda Krueger
Mar. 17… Kristin Hanson
Mar. 18...Landon Niska
Raya Peterson Audrey Rogers
Mar. 19...Karl Dawson
Cory Mikkelson
Mar. 21…Erin Johnson
Gloria Rumohr
Mar. 22… Madison Bundy
Mar. 23…Tenison Tahtinen
Mar. 24...Deb Callaghan
Brian Johnson Melanie Wangerin
Mar. 25...Randy Peterson
Mar. 26...Chris Christianson
Deb Hull Pastor Schiller
Mar. 27...Desiree Colton
Jason Thimmesh
Mar. 29...Derek Bullock
Brielle Elmer Nancy Knutson
Caleb Meyer Kari Norheim
Cammie Rassat Amanda Reese
Mar. 30...Greta Kremer
Marc Nelson
MARCH Birthdays
5.
May God Bless You
On Your Birthday
And Always!
Wedding Anniversaries
Anniversary Prayer
Lord, we thank you for this couple and for all of the years that they have had together.
As they celebrate their anniversary, our prayer is that you will continue to bless them.
Let their testimony of love and forgiveness be a help to other couples as they start on their own journeys into married life. Lord, we
pray that You will honor their commitment to each other and to You by granting them many more years of happiness together.
Amen
March 11th-Pete & Kari Kremer
March 17th-Larry &Lori Ziegler
March 20th-Marlan & Jeanette Weickert
March 23rd-Aaron & Lori Ecker
6.
Leprechaun Treats...
MINI REUBEN
CASSEROLES
Ingredients 1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cups cubed cooked beef roast
1 can (14 ounces) sauerkraut, rinsed and well drained
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1-1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
1/3 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup Thousand Island salad dressing
2 slices rye bread, cubed
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, saute onion and
pepper in oil until tender. Stir in meat, sauerkraut, soup, 1 cup cheese, milk and salad dressing; heat through. Transfer to four greased 10-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.
2. In a small bowl, toss bread cubes with butter and onion powder. Arrange over tops. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is melt-ed, 5-10 minutes longer.
Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, soda and oil; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in walnuts. 2. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. 3. In a large bowl, beat the cream, milk, pudding mix and confectioners' sugar on high until stiff peaks form. Frost cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Refrigerate until serving.
Confirmation Retreat At
Lutheran Island Camp
HEY KIDS! There will be lot’s to learn and lot’s
of fun at this years Retreat.
Friday March 22nd-Meet at the church by 5:30 pm
to carpool. We will depart for LIC at 5:45p.m.
(We will not wait if you are Late)
Don’t forget to eat supper before you leave for camp!
Saturday March 23rd–Head for home from camp
around 6:00p.m. and arrive at Good Shepherd by 6:30p.m.
CHECK YOUR MAILBOX….
Information was sent out to all Confirmation Parents
Stewardship
Caring Believer’s Sharing Joy Submitted by: Deb Hull
Reminder we would like your continued assistance
with idea’s, concerns, suggestions or any feedback
you would like to share- Just place your note in the
suggestion box right outside the Sanctuary doors.
Want to visit with us or become part of our
family/team? We are now meeting the 2nd
Tuesday every month @ 5 pm. Come Join us!
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as
something done for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that you will receive the reward of an
inheritance from the Lord. You serve
the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
7.
Caring Believers
Sharing JOY!
IN THE MOOD FOR A DELICIOUS WAFFLE?
WAFFLE FEED!
Sunday March 3rd
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
$8.00 a plate
Hosted by the Youth from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
and Calvary Lutheran Church
This is a Fundraiser to help with the cost of sending the Youth
to the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis this July!!
A FUN TIME OF
FELLOWSHIP AT
THE PIZZA RANCH!
8.
Submitted by: Pastor Schiller
The other day, someone at a store in a small Midwestern town read that a methamphetamine lab had
been found in an old farm house in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, “Why
didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?” It just so happened that I had saved
something that had been sent to me a few weeks ago. So I printed off a copy and took it to him the next
day. I smiled when I handed it to him and said, “I did have a drug problem when I was a kid growing up
on the farm in Missouri or North Dakota or Nebraska or Kansas.”
Here’s what the sheet said…
I had a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning.
I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
I was drug to family reunions and community socials, no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults and teachers.
I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report
card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my
best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug out to pull weeds in Mom’s garden and flowerbeds, and cockleburs out of Dad’s soybean
fields. Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think.
They are stronger than cocaine, crack, and heroin. I am guessing that if people had this kind of drug
problem today, it would help, grow, and improve a better America.
9.
A Different Kind Of “ Drug” Problem
Submitted by: Karen Nolz
Who can believe that there is only about 3 months of school left for this year? What a crazy winter this year with the weather/snow days we’ve been having?! March starts out with no school on March 1st for parent-teacher conferences. There is also no school scheduled for Friday, the 22nd and Monday, March 25th. At this point, I’m not yet sure if extra days will be added at the end of the calendar year for all the missed days or not. The end of the month (March 29th) brings the end of the third quarter. Time is going so fast this year and it is hard to believe that after 10 years at Zion, (Pre-school and kindergarten included) that Marly will be starting her final quarter at this school. I can’t say enough good about Zion and how the staff, structure and the daily faith teachings have helped to form Marly into the strong Christian that she has become. We were very blessed to be able to provide Marly with this path of education and it is something that will not be forgotten!
