St. John Lutheran Church and Preschool
March Issue 2014 Volume 25, Issue 3
The eagle
Sunday Morning
8:30 Breakfast/Opening
9:00 Sunday School
10:00 Worship
Tuesday
9:00 Quilting
Wednesday
8:30 Mighty Lions Chapel
9:00 Kinder Chapel
3:30 Confirmation & Children’s
Choir
5:30 Lent Meal
6:30 Lent Service
Thursday
6:30 Men’s Bible Study
8:30 Little Lamb s Chapel
Friday
Office Closed
EVERY MONTH
1st Sunday– Nursing Home Devotions
1:30pm
2nd Wednesday– Preschool Board
5:30pm
2nd Thursday—Board of Ed
6:00pm
2nd Week– Board Meetings
3rd Saturday--Men’s Club
7:15am
(see times on calendar)
Phone: (254) 386-3158
Fax: (254) 386-3159
Preschool: (254) 386-3332
E-mail: Pastor—
Secretary—
March
May we continue to be used by God as we live by and share the Gospel
with A Heart for Hamilton County and the World!!
Our Lenten Journey!
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is a time when as Christians we personally and
publicly reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. Why such sacrifice?
Why was it necessary? Why would God love us so much that He would send His only begot-
ten Son into death for us? As we reflect on these questions, we are reminded of WHY; “He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that
brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed”. Isa. 53:5
“Crushed for our iniquities…”! As we begin our Lenten journey together we examine our
“iniquities” and we mark ourselves with ashes as a sign of repentance and contrition. Ashes
are signs that we are all in this sin business together. We all fall short of the Faith we claim. We have treated people as things and we have treated things as if they were valuable people. We have and continue to sadly dis-
appoint our Creator and Redeemer. Our cry? “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me”. Ps. 51:10
During this Lenten season we will examine Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, and what it means for us,
using the colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, scarlet and black. As Christians we believe that God
perfectly designed messages in all things far more than we often understand or take time to consider—even in the
colors He created. Our Lenten journey will culminate with the celebration of Easter where we will celebrate God’s
promises through the brilliance of the color white.
May God bless and honor our journey together!
May we continue to be used by God with
A Heart for Hamilton County and the World!
2
St. John Lutheran Church and Preschool
March Issue 2014 Volume 25, Issue 3
St. John Lutheran Preschool February Newsletter
Our theme this month at Preschool is “My Heart Belongs to Jesus.” We discussed with the children what
Jesus spoke about in Mark, that we should love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our
neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said that there was no other commandment greater than this. He wants us to
be full of love!
We also discussed with them several ways that they can show God’s love to others. The kids had some
wonderful ideas…”share our toys, listen and obey our parents and teachers, give lots of hugs and kisses,
make a card for my Mommy, and pray every day.” They are precious!
My Heart
Belongs to
Jesus
Thank you to everyone
who brought special
snacks throughout the
week! The kids really
enjoyed them all!
We had a preschool post of-
fice set up in our classroom
this month for Valentine’s
Day. The children enjoyed
making cards for each other
in the art and writing center.
The Kinder/Bridge class had a Valentine’s Day
Tea Party, complete with real China dishes, eti-
quette lessons, and fancy hats.
They made their own layered
dessert that was delicious.
The gentlemen pushed the chairs in
for the ladies, and they practiced no
elbows on the table, napkins in your
lap, and had the most polite conver-
sations as they enjoyed treats and
hot chocolate. It was lovely!
St. John Preschool will be closed for
Spring Break on March 10th—14th.
Spring Break
3
St. John Lutheran Church and Preschool March Issue 2014 Volume 25, Issue 3
They took a field trip this month
to the Hamilton Post Office.
They wrote letters to someone special,
mailed them, sorted them, and put
them in the correct delivery spot for
the postal workers to deliver.
We had several wonderful visitors this month at Pre-
school. The Dairy Queen ice cream cone brought all of
the kids a dilly bar to enjoy for snack.
It was a yummy treat!
Little Lambs Mighty Lions Kinder/Bridge
The Kinder/Bridge Class took a trip around the world. They visited several dif-
ferent countries and learned about the culture, animals, and people in each coun-
try. Ready for take-off with passports in hand…
Shirley Meissner, and her daughter Lisa came to share with
the kids many wonderful stories, artifacts, and instruments
from Africa. She and her family spent several years in Nigeria
as missionaries. They brought a wonderful snack including co-
conut, pineapple, papaya, and mango for the class to enjoy.
They also shared their mission stories,
pictures, and instruments with the
Mighty Lions class, and taught them
how to sing “This Little Light of Mine,”
in Yala, the language that they learned
to speak in Nigeria. It was such a spe-
cial learning experience for the kids.
Thank you both for visiting our school!
4
St. John Lutheran Church and Preschool March Issue 2014 Volume 25, Issue 3
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Bernard of Clairvaux 1091 – 1153
One of the grandest hymns of the church for use in the Lenten season is from the pen of Bernard of Clairvaux. The beauty of this hymn is that it enters into deepest sympathy with Christ in His passion and at the same time breathes strong personal faith in the atonement. We owe a great debt of gratitude for this hymn to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, whose Latin original we consider his masterpiece. A rich and beautiful German rendering of this hymn is from the pen of that great Lutheran hymn writer, Paul Gerhardt, whose, “O Haupt voll Blut und Wunder” is found in practically all good German hymn books.
The best English translation of this hymn is by James W. Alexan-der, an American Presbyterian clergyman. He made his transla-tion in 1830.
Dr. Schaff, the greatest of American Presbyterian theologians, in speaking of this old hymn of the church says: “This classic hymn has shown in three tongues - - Latin, German and English - - and in three confessions - - Roman, Lutheran and Reformed - - with equal effect the dying love of our Savior and our limitless indebtedness to Him.”
O sacred Head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighted down,
Now scornfully surrounded With thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory, What bliss, till now was Thine!
Yet, through despised and gory, I joy to call The mine.
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered Was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! “Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, And grant to me Thy grace.
What language shall I borrow To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever! And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never, Out live my love for Thee.
Be thou my consolation, My shield, when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, Upon Thy cross shall dwell.
My heart by faith enfold Thee, Who di - eth thus dies well
Ref: Favorite Hymns by William Lee Hunton , The United Lutheran Publication
House, Philadelphia, Pa.
Music Notes By Gary Gromatzky
In His Service,
Sarah Bauman
St. John Preschool Director
The Air Methods Crew came to visit and landed
in the field beside the preschool. The children
listened and watched out the window anxiously
awaiting the landing. They had the opportunity
to see inside the helicopter and visit with the
pilot and crew.
Registration for the 2014/2015 school year
will be held March 17th—March 21st. Reg-
istration will be held daily from 11:30—
12:30 in the FLC, and Thursday evening
from 5:00—6:00. An Informational meeting
will be held starting at 5:30 on Thursday,
March 20th. Children must be 3 years old
by October 1, 2014 to register. The supply
fee will be waived for members of St. John
Lutheran Church.
5
St. John Lutheran Church and Preschool March Issue 2014 Volume 25, Issue 3
St John (LLL) Men’s club came together February 15th at 7:15am for our
bible breakfast. We had 8 members in attendance. Everyone enjoyed the
meal and social coming together. Billy Lawson lead us in prayer.
Treasurer Forrest Jenson gave the bank balance. We have just under $1500.00 in our
account. The Men’s Club will serve a Fish Meal on March 5th before Ash Wednesday
service. We would like to invite all members and guests at 5:30pm for the meal. St.
John members are ask to bring a dessert. A motion carried to adjourn the meeting at
8:10am. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Submitted by Ollie Zschiesche
Ash Wednesday Fish Fry is also scheduled to be a
fundraiser for people from our congregation who are planning to go on Mission Trip to Alaska. A free will donation for the meal will be asked.
Please consider coming and helping this worth-while cause. The Men's Club needs the congrega-
tions support.
The ones planning to attend:
Stacy Reich
Jonathon Reich
Jason Bussey
Donna Smith
Linda Moore
Thank you in advance for you generous support.
WHAT OUR WEBSITE CAN DO FOR YOU!
www.stjohnhamilton.org
If you haven’t looked recently our website has new features to help keep you informed.
SCROLLING CALENDAR of current and upcoming
events
FULL MONTHLY CALENDAR - Click on any event to
send email notices and reminders to yourself and friends. GREAT TOOL!
PRAYER REQUEST form to send directly to Pastor.
Recorded weekly sermons to listen again and
share
Link to Facebook so LIKE US today!
LIKE US ON
TODAY!
6
St. John Lutheran Church and Preschool
March Issue 2014 Volume 25, Issue 3
1st Jason Seider
Marshal Stork
Ollie Zschiesche
3rd Kerry Kensing
4th Alice Pietzsch
Owen Tyson
8th Pat Bottlinger
10th Brodi Mishnick
Carson Wolff
13th Emiliegh Burton
Bea Coble
Sheldon Coble
Paige Stanford
Kim Tyson
14th Savannah Johnson
Tammy Wagner
17th Morgan Nolen
Payden Nolen
Weston Nolen
18th Avery Hall
19th Marliessa Clark
Frances Donahoo
Betty Hardin
Alex Odom
21st Kyle Krueger
Brenna Payne
22nd Eugene Jeschke
24th Jennifer Niemann
Elaine Polster
Betty Senger
26th Neede Anders
Branson Armstrong
Shelby Smith
27th Jonathon Reich
28th Kolten Kunkel
30th Robert Dellaughter
Laurel Friedrich
Mildred Kauitzsch
Dayle Squyres
Baptisms
Birthdays 2nd Elaine Polster
3rd Misti Polster
5th Branson Armstrong
6th Karah Niemann
7th Mark DeLoach
8th Boofy Mishnick
Tootie Schoen
9th Liz Beber
Nolan Zschiesche
11th Mary Ellen Burton
Dorothy Hoermann
Ray Cassens
12th Robin Massingill
13th Michelle Cantara
14th Quin Hanson
15th August Gaydos
Aaron Hungerford
Amanda Lippe
16th Mildred Bottlinger
17th Anna Beber
Emery McElroy
19th Alanda Tyson
20th Mary Ellen Kiely
21st Jason Clark
23rd Juanita Bushee
Johanna Jeschke
Caleb Niemann
24th Kara Chorenziak
25th Emma Polster
26th Todd Mishnick
28th Scott Williams
30th Mildred Kautizsch
Gary Schoen
31st Joe Cathey
Billy Lawson
Wedding Anniversaries
6th Joe & Elsie Sommerfeld 33 years
10th Martin & Bonnye Wenzel 24 years
22nd Luther & Mona Smith 45 years
7
St. John Lutheran Church and Preschool
March Issue 2014 Volume 25, Issue 3
During the season of Lent, the Sr. Youth will begin
collecting items for Baskets of Promise for Lutheran
World Relief. These are personal care kits that will
be sent to different areas to help people in need.
"Lutheran World Relief is currently reaching out to
families affected by Typhoon Haiyan with personal
care kits. By participating in the LWR's Baskets of
Promise, we help meet their needs, along with thou-
sands of others around the world."
This is the collection schedule:
Sunday, March 2nd and Wednesday,
March 5th- Bars of Soap (4-5oz., any
brand, in original wrapping) - Goal= 100
Bars
Sunday, March 9th and Wednesday,
March 12th- Toothbrushes (adult size,
in original packaging) - Goal = 50
Sunday, March 16th and Wednes-
day, March 19th- Combs Goal = 50
Sunday, March 23rd, and Wednesday,
March 26th- Bath Towels (light-
weight, maximum 52"x27", dark color
recommended) On Wednesday,
March 26th we will have towels at the
meal. You may add a donation to cov-
er the cost of the towels if you would
rather do this.
Sunday, March 30th, and Wednesday,
April 2nd- Nail Clippers (metal, attached
file optional) Goal= 50
Your help and support is greatly appreciated!!
Other important youth items:
No Second Super Sunday in March because of
Spring Break.
The Youth have the Lent Meal on Wednesday,
March 26th.
This is the list of items that each group is asked to
bring for the meal:
Meat for soft tacos will be provided by Senior Youth
All high school students need to bring tortillas as well as:
Seniors —shredded lettuce & diced tomatoes
Juniors —shredded cheese & sour cream
Sophmores —hot sauce & chopped onion
Freshman —corn chips & guacamole
All Junior youth students need to bring tortillas as well as:
8th- bring shredded lettuce & diced tomatoes
7th- bring shredded cheese & chopped onions
6th- bring corn chips & guacamole
Congregation is asked to bring desserts.
All High school students bring a breakfast bread.
Jr High students please bring the following items:
8th- grapes-washed & ready for a tray
7th- strawberries- washed & ready for a tray
6th- Milk & juice
The Youth also have breakfast on Sunday, March
30th. We are looking for parents to bring breakfast
casseroles to go along with this meal. Please let one
of the Youth board members know if you will be
able to send a casserole.
Sunday, March 30th is also 5th Sunday Potluck.
8
St. John Lutheran Church
122 Cheyenne Mesa
Hamilton, TX 76531
Address Service Requested
Non Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 10
Hamilton, TX
Wednesdays, 6:30pm
Mar. 5th — The Story of Sacrifice
Mar. 12th — The Story of Warnings Unheeded
Mar. 19th — The Story of "Lions, Tigers, and Bears"
Mar. 26th — The Story of the Green-Eyed Monster
Apr. 2nd — The Story of Better Days
Apr. 9th — The Story of Fickle Friends
Maundy Thursday, 6:30pm
Apr. 17th — The Story of A New Covenant
Good Friday, 6:30pm
Apr. 18th — The Story of Undeserved Love
Easter Sunday,7:30am & 10:00am
Apr. 20th — The Story of God's PromiseThe Story of God's Promise
Wednesday Lenten services will follow a meal served at
5:30pm.
Easter Sunday Schedule
Sunrise Service, 7:30am
Breakfast, 8:30am
Sunday School & Resurrection Egg Hunt, 9:00am
Worship Service, 10:00am
LENTEN SERIES SCHEDULE
The Colors of Lent