Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, & Easter Worship at Alleluia! Maundy Thursday Worship – March 29 7:00pm worship Jesus begins the sacrament of Holy Communion. Includes Living Last Supper drama and Special Music. Good Friday – March 30 Tenebrae Good Friday Worship – 7:30pm. The “Seven Last Words of Jesus” Jesus gives his life on the cross. Family Event (PreK-grade school) 10-11:00am. Easter Weekend – March 31 & April 1 Sat 5:00pm; Sunday 9:00, 10:15, & 11:30am. He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Children’s Easter Egg Hunts will be held next to the playground at the following times: 6pm on Saturday, March 31st (after 5pm worship) 8:45am on Sunday, April 1st (before 9am worship) 11:15am on Sunday, April 1st (after 10:15am worship) Please bring your baskets to fill up with eggs! In case of rain or wet weather we will meet in the lower level Rec Room.
Transcript
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, & Easter Worship at Alleluia!
Maundy Thursday Worship – March 29
7:00pm worship Jesus begins the sacrament of Holy Communion. Includes Living Last Supper drama and Special Music.
Good Friday – March 30 Tenebrae Good Friday Worship – 7:30pm. The “Seven Last Words of Jesus” Jesus gives his life on the cross. Family Event (PreK-grade school) 10-11:00am. Easter Weekend – March 31 & April 1 Sat 5:00pm; Sunday 9:00, 10:15, & 11:30am. He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Children’s Easter Egg Hunts will be held next to the playground at the following times:
6pm on Saturday, March 31st (after 5pm worship)
8:45am on Sunday, April 1st (before 9am worship)
11:15am on Sunday, April 1st (after 10:15am worship)
Please bring your baskets to fill up with eggs!
In case of rain or wet weather we will meet in the lower level Rec Room.
News & Notes from Pastor Tim
Dear Friends,
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
-Psalm 85:6-7
I am writing this newsletter article on the front-end of Holy Week, leading up to Easter Weekend. We will welcome thousands of worshippers during Holy Week, and it is one of my favorite times of the year in our church. There is a lot of energy this week at Alleluia! We will wave palms and shout, “Hosanna!” We will gather around First Communicants, we will see the Living Last Supper drama, we will meet at the cross on Good Friday and hear the Seven Last Words of Christ...it’s a powerful and great week to be the church!
With the joy of the Easter Gospel in our hearts, I’d like us to start thinking about the other 51 weeks of the year at Alleluia! Lutheran Church. Do we make weekly worship a priority? Are members of my household engaging in Christian learning? Have I participated in, or supported in some way, a mission opportunity through my church? These are great questions for a church to ask itself outside of Holy Week during the other 51 weeks of the year.
The Psalmist prays to God, “Will you not revive us again?” What if Alleluia! prayed and asked God to revive our church spiritually? Revival brings new energy to all of us, new ideas from current and new members, new people coming to our faith community, new resources to share with the world!
The Psalmist goes on, “Show us your unfailing love, Lord.” What if God brought about a spiritual revival to our community of faith that was grounded in His unfailing love? We are given new life by a God who loves us! Revival comes to a church when we embrace that unfailing love of God, and it then pours out from us and into the lives of those around us!
Love. God’s Love! A revival at Alleluia! grounded in God’s love. That’s what Easter is all about, after all—God’s love for you and for me. It’s a love that conquered sin and death and promises us forgiveness and eternal live. How can that not change us? How can that not revive us?
Revive us again, Lord, and show us your unfailing love. I’m going to be praying this prayer for us. Who’s with me?
Pastor Tim
Staff Transition Dan Stolle to Transition to Part-Time Position After almost ten years of serving as Operations Manager at Alleluia!, Dan will be transitioning to serve as part-time Human Resources Director at Alleluia!, effective June 1, 2018. We thank Dan for almost a decade of serving as Operations Manager, and celebrate his opportunity to stay on our staff, while being able to have more time to enjoy family, travel, and more time at the lake. Please thank Dan for his years of service as Operations Manger, and celebrate with us that he is staying on staff in this part-time capacity.
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May 12th & 13th
Poverty is more than a lack of material resources.
Poverty is the absence of opportunity and a good education
Poverty robs a child of security and stability.
Poverty is existing but not thriving.
Poverty means not knowing your life has value or that you
have a purpose.
Lifting children out of poverty in Jesus’ name!
There is a cure for poverty, however.
That cure is
HOPE!
Children who are involved in the Compassion program not only receive
physical resources; they also develop mentally, emotionally, socially, and
spiritually. They have caring people who invest in their lives. They also
have sponsors who encourage them and show them that
God loves them. The end result is that these children now
have hope!
Learn more about becoming a sponsor during Compassion
Weekend. Hear inspirational stories from other Alleluia!
members who sponsor children at our partner sites in
Huánuco, Peru. Choose a child to sponsor and begin a
journey that will change a life… perhaps your own.
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Good Friday Family and Children's Event: March 30th, 10am-11am. We will begin in the Sanctuary with child-friendly worship. Following worship there will be a planned activity and snack in the Community Life Center. Children 5th grade and younger are invited! Contact April or Michele if you are able to help with this event. We need help with prepping the snack. Thank you!
There is NO KidsConnect during services on Easter weekend. Please worship together as a family.
The KidsConnect Church School Holy Week/Easter Rotation will culminate on April 22. A special
celebration is planned for April 21-22. We hope your children can attend!
The last day of our Toddler Nursery for the school year will be April 22. A special THANK YOU to
our DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS who served all year and incorporated the KidsConnect themes. Such fun!
JC and Faith Choirs will present “Spring Surprise” on April 22 at 3pm in the
sanctuary. Everyone is invited! We will have a celebration party on April 25.
We look forward to celebrating our incredible KidsConnect leaders on the first weekend in May!
They should be sure to see Ms. Michele or Ms. April for a special thank you treat!
Congratulations to the 32 children who received their First Communion on Palm Sunday
Weekend. Your church home joins you as you celebrate this faith milestone! (Photos below)
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VBS registration has begun! Join us June 11-15.
New this year!
-Combined-age Crews: Children K-5th grade
will be placed in crews together. Children in combined-age crews experience the love of Jesus in a whole new way! - Combined-age crews encourage teamwork rather than competition. - Combined-age crews reduce behavior problems. - Combined-age crews encourage relationship building. - Combined-age crews are easier to work with.
-Separate space just for preschool, ages 3-5yrs - The same VBS fun, but with more age appropriate activities. Click HERE to register a participant for session #1, 9:00 - 12:00. Click HERE to register a participant for session #2, 1:00 - 4:00.
VBS is fun for everyone! Join our Shipwrecked Crew! The Children’s Ministry
invites all high school aged and above to register via the links below. We ask that middle school aged volunteers please contact Amber Bolton ([email protected]) to join the all new H2H Mission Trip Experience to serve at VBS. Click HERE to volunteer for session #1, 9:00 - 12:00. Click HERE to volunteer for session #2, 1:00 - 4:00.
We have started to build the Shipwrecked set! Can you donate any of the following?
12oz up to 2 liter plastic bottles (with the labels removed) Round, cardboard oatmeal containers, any size (with lids, if possible) Carpet tubes (8 of them would be great)
If you are able to donate any of these items please drop them off at church.
Please keep a look out for a complete VBS donation list in the near future. Thank you in advance for your help and generosity!
We encourage you to visit this space for private prayer and reflection. In addition to offering a quiet place for you to pray, a prayer wall is available for you to share prayer requests, and each month there will be a new guided or experiential prayer opportunity provided. The prayer room is open daily between 5:00a and 11:00p (with key card) and during office hours (w/out key card). Come and check it out!
New Member Orientation on Sunday, April 29th, 3:30-5:45 p.m.
Click HERE to register. Come enjoy a light dinner (child friendly option available), and learn about membership at Alleluia! At the end of the evening you'll have the opportunity to fill out membership forms, and you'll be officially welcomed by the congregation the following Sunday, May 6th. Please contact Laura Bowler at [email protected], or 630-904-3311, x245, with general questions about membership or the orientation. We will meet in the Community Room. Childcare is available with registration.
April Prayer Room Practice
Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)
Lectio Divina is a method of prayer, meditation, and communication with God. This ancient practice encourages us to slow down, absorb God’s word, and spend more time with Him in silence and prayer. Come sit in the quiet and solitude of our new Prayer Room for a richer experience or try this practice in the comfort of your home. Silencio—Remembering Begin your time in silence. Acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit. As you breathe in become aware of God’s love for you. As you breathe out, release whatever might distract you from listening. Remember that you are God’s. Lectio--Reading Read a short passage of scripture slowly and meditatively. Read and re-read the chosen verses until a word, a phrase, or an image draws your attention. Simply be open to the way God is speaking to you through his Word. Meditatio—Reflecting Meditate on the word, phrase, or image that caught your attention, allowing it to engage you fully. What feelings (past or present) are connected to this word/phrase/image? What is God trying to say to you through this word/phrase/image/text? How do these things speak into the context of your life? Oratio—Responding Respond to what you have heard in prayer. Be simple, direct, and as honest as possible. Tell God how you feel about what you have felt, heard, or come to understand. Thank God for what he has alerted you to; ask for help with some aspect of your life. Listen for a response. Pray silently our aloud, or continue the dialogue with God in a journal. Contemplatio—Resting Simply be with God and rest completely in His presence. Rest in the knowledge that God loves you, and you are in God’s loving presence. Sit with God in silence for as long as you need. Carry that love with you throughout the day.
Want to Play Some Softball? “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.” – Yogi Berra.
Enjoy good company and moderate physical activity playing softball with others from Alleluia! on
Saturday mornings, May-July. The Hammers (Alleluia!’s softball team) are seeking new recruits, male
and female, high school through adult. Please contact Chris Raclawski at [email protected] or
Pastor Mark at [email protected] for more information or to express interest.
Overwhelmed (New Book Study)
Saturdays, April 7 - May 5, 9:00-10:30a Feeling Overwhelmed? Wondering if it's possible to move from "out of my mind" to "in control" when you've got too many projects on your plate and too much mess in your life? Learn how to finally create a plan that works for you, so you can simplify and savor your life. Please order/obtain a copy of your own book; they are available for less than $15 by clicking HERE. For more information contact Annette Osuch, [email protected].
Helping Without Hurting
Wednesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 7:00-8:00p We’ve probably all been in a situation where we have been asked to help or felt compelled to help someone (be it a stranger on the street, someone in need across the world, or someone in our own community), but we wonder, “Will this really do them any good?” That’s a good question to ask because help offered in certain situations can actually be harmful to the receiver. Yet, it’s clear God wants us to help others. So, how do we help without hurting? Join Pastor Mark for this 3-week course exploring these concepts, and leave better equipped to respond the next time you are presented with someone in need. Please register by April 1st. Childcare is available with registration. Click HERE to register.
Holy Spirit Retreat
When: Saturday, April 21, 2018
Time: 10:00am to 2:15pm
Where: The Underground at Alleluia!
Who: Any Past or Present Alpha Attendee
Cost: Free – bring your Bibles & something to write with
Child Care: Yes (with registration)
Click HERE to register!
Calling all past (and present) Alpha participants! You are
invited to attend the 2018 Holy Spirit Retreat. If you have
ever taken the Alpha course at Alleluia!, we welcome you to
attend this year’s Holy Spirit Retreat. Whether you had to
miss the retreat when you originally took the Alpha course,
or want to re-live that experience, we hope you can join us
for the afternoon. Lunch is provided. Please contact Pastor
Usher: 4/7 Alan Cook/Tim Toepfer, 4/14 Alan Cook/_______, 4/21 Alan Cook/Tim Toepfer, 4/28 Alan Cook/_______ Communion: 4/7 Ginny Toepfer, 4/14 Kellie Kunz, 4/21 Ginny Toepfer, 4/28 Dawn DeSart Greeters: 4/7 Tim & Ginny Toepfer, 4/14 Teresa & Kevin Zahora, 4/21 Tim & Ginny Toepfer, 4/28 Christine & Brett Bauer Family Welcome Center: 4/7 Teresa Zahora, 4/14 Kellie Kunz, 4/21 Teresa Zahora, 4/28 Dawn DeSart Lector: 4/7 Andrea Jacob, 4/14 Joe Biela, 4/21 Gina Sandvik, 4/28 Joe Biela 9:00am Worship: Ushers: 4/1 Sean Huenecke, Luke Huenecke, Rob Elliot, Dale Goetz, Nick Bryan, Larry Grippo 4/8 Rob Elliot, John Fishbeck 4/15 Matt White, Rob Elliot 4/22 John Fishbeck, Nick Bryan 4/29 Dale Goetz, Nick Bryan Welcome Center: 4/1 Cathy Huenecke, 4/8 _______, 4/15 _______, 4/22 _______, 4/29 _______ Greeters: 4/1 Kim Gathman/Tim Gathman 4/8 Viki Haneberg/Sarah Dietz, 4/15 Viki Haneberg/Sarah Dietz 4/22 Sarah Dietz/_______, 4/29 Viki Haneberg/Sarah Dietz Communion Servers: 4/1 Mary Kocourek, Viki Haneberg, Peter Vethanayagamony, Mike Raczak, Mimi Raczak, Pastor Tim, Pastor Mark, Pastor Tammy 4/8 Gail Wheeler, Mike Raczak, Mimi Raczak, Pastor Mark 4/15 Gail Wheeler, Viki Haneberg, Pastor, Pastor 4/22 Peter Vethanayagamony, Elaine Bynum, Pastor, Pastor 4/29 Gail Wheeler, Peter Vethanayagamony, Pastor, Pastor Altar: 4/1 Lori Juliot, 4/8 Laurie Cottrill, 4/15 LaRae Lafrenz, 4/22 Laurie Cottrill, 4/29 Laurie Cottrill Lector: 4/1 Kathy Grippo, 4/8 Dan Stolle, 4/15 Kathy Grippo, 4/22 Dan Stolle, 4/29 Dan Stolle 10:15 Worship: Ushers: 4/1 (EASTER) Roger Russell, John Fishbeck, Matt White, Kent Nelson, Ryan Glassman, Adrian Knowles, Chris Talbott,
Lindsey Russell, Ethan Dabareiner 4/8 Kelly Cunningham, Derek Koomjohn, Matt White, Doug Werth 4/15 Roger Russell, Kelly Cunningham, Derek Koomjohn, Chris Talbott 4/22 Derek Koomjohn, Matt White, Doug Werth, Chris Talbott 4/29 Ryan Glassman, Matt White, John Fishbeck, Chris Talbott Lectors: 4/1 Adrian Knowles, 4/8 Rod Larson, 4/15 Carl Johnson, 4/22 Adrian Knowles, 4/29 Joel Fulgham
Welcome Center: 4/1 Christy Russell 4/8 Tina Falkner 4/15 Christy Russell 4/22 _______, 4/29 Christy Russell Greeters: 4/1 Barb Cunningham/Mary Hale, 4/8 Dawn Rawson/_______, 4/15 Dawn Rawson/_______, 4/22 Julie Boshea/______, 4/29 Megan Glassman/Barb Cunningham Altar: 4/1 Deb Bostjancic, 4/8 Deb Bostjancic, 4/15 Peggy Johnson, 4/22 Joel Fulgham, 4/29 Peggy Johnson
Communion Servers: 4/1 Nancy Larson, Teri Rotheiser, Deb Bostjancic, Joel Fulgham, Sonia Hertogs, Pastor Tim, Pastor Mark, Pastor Tammy 4/8 Beth Duesing, Nancy Larson, Deb Bostjancic, Joel Fulgham, Jennifer Vrba, Kristin Doonan, Denise Pape, Pastor Mark 4/15 Beth Duesing, Deb Bostjancic, Joel Fulgham, Jennifer Vrba, Sonia Hertogs, Pastor Tim, Pastor Mark, Pastor Tammy 4/22 Beth Duesing, Teri Rotheiser, Joel Fulgham, Kristin Doonan, Denise Pape, Pastor Tim, Pastor Mark, Pastor Tammy 4/29 Beth Duesing, Deb Bostjancic, Joel Fulgham, Kristin Doonan, Denise Pape, Pastor Tim, Pastor Mark, Pastor Tammy
Everyone is encouraged to VOLUNTEER at worship. Share your gifts & talents in one of the following areas:
Serving Communion, Ushering, Greeting, Preparing the Altar, Reading the Lesson, Helping at the Welcome Center.
Spring and summer months are open. If you attend the 11:30am worship, summer is a perfect time
to serve at one of our upstairs services. Please click HERE to sign up.
All volunteer opportunities are scheduled by the week.
