Nativity Lutheran Church

1300 Collingwood Road

Alexandria, VA 22308

www.nativitylutheran.org

703.768.1112

The Rev. Brent H. Thalacker, Pastor

People of Nativity, Ministers

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 NATIVI TY CONNECT
March 20, 2019
Third Sunday in Lent
9:30 am
The warnings are plentiful and blunt on the third Sunday in Lent. Lent is a season of repentance. Cut it out or get cut down! The warnings are accompanied by God's invitation to attentiveness: "Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live." The landowner's ultimatum is forestalled by the gardener's readiness to till the ground one more year. That is good news for all of us. Thanks be to God!
Sunday's Givers
This Sunday we thank Harmony & Mike Barbera for lighting our candles in celebration of Chandler's birthday...and Nancy Schuetze for providing a meaningful Lenten arrangement in our chancel each Sunday this season.

During Lent we will collectively "deny" ourselves the usual fare of sweets and simply share coffee...the conversation should be just as good as always.  Taking this break will make our Easter breakfast extravaganza even more anticipated!  
Flowers, Candles and Fellowship
A Sunday morning at Nativity would not be the same if you did not provide the above...with pleasure we thank you for being able to say we are "good to go" through Lent.  Fellowship is a different story...please make a commitment for April and beyond to bring a simple snack, prepare coffee and set up for fellowship hour.  This "second half" of our gathering is in many ways as pleasing as the first...mostly because it comes without a sermon!  But it cannot happen unless each of us is willing to take a turn...so sign up in the narthex ASAP or contact Marianne in the office.  Bless you!

Stop by the "Lenten Corner" in the narthex to pick up a seasonal calendar and devotional materials to assist all ages on your Lenten journey 
Nativity & Messiah Quilting Club

Messiah/Nativity quilting group work together to make quilts for veterans...on Thursday my wife Marj and Shirley Barry delivered 15 quilts to the Red Cross at Walter Reed for distribution to wounded warriors.  This is the second batch of quilts delivered there in the last year. If you are interested in participating see Carol Mattaino or Marj Kehler for more information.

Bob Kehler
Council President.
Nativity Book Club

On Sunday, May 5, 2019, at noon, Nativity's Book Club will meet with a discussion of the book "Educated:  A Memoir" by Tara Westover, a book that has been on best-seller lists for over a year.  The location will be announced in the near future.  Please come and join us!  We always have a great time and invite everyone regardless of whether they have the time to read the book beforehand.  Snacks and drink will be provided.  If you have any questions feel free to contact Barb Gigure at  703-915-9066 or email her at  bgigure@cox.net.
The UCM Food Pantry always has need for heart healthy food items. Some of  the items that are always needed Include-

      -canned tuna (or other meats) in water
      -whole wheat pasta
      -low salt canned goods
      -low sugar cereals
      -canned beans or dry beans
      -olive oil or canola oil for cooking
      unsalted nuts and seeds 

Our carts need to be  replenished...when you're shopping fill a bag (see above) with items that are crucial to feeding the hundreds who weekly count on UCM for proper nourishment!  Simply drop off your donation in the narthex.  Thank you!
 
The Last Word...
There are a plethora of lists available to ascertain significant events that occurred on any given day in history...I used the one that listed three for this Thursday, March 21st. I chose it because all of them were Germanic in origin...2 ridiculous and 1 sublime. One should never crack on any ethnicity...the only exception is your own. Hence, being German through and through I possess the credentials to criticize.

Near the end of the Great War, the war to end all wars (I wish), General Erich von Ludendorff on March 21st launched the Spring Offensive of 1918. He knew United States troops would soon be a major fighting force, so he launched an all-out drive to win the war. A stronger than anticipated retaliation by the Allies already buoyed by the presence of doughboys, the inability to move German supplies and reinforcements coupled with heavy casualties led to retreat in less than a month. The not funny thing is that Germany counted this as a victory, since they pushed out a total of 35 miles. This battle ranks as the fourth in all world history for lives lost on both sides...over a million and a half died in an already losing effort. By my reckoning that's just short of 50 thousand per mile gained.. .ridiculous indeed!

Next up... yet another suicide/assassination plot against Adolph Hitler fails. March 21st, 1943, General Rudolph-Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff attended a Heroes' Day dedication, honoring Germany's WWI dead (see above) at the Zeughaus Museum in Berlin. Hitler was in attendance and "Von" was to sidle up alongside him as he reviewed the memorials and ignite the bombs, each with a 10 minute fuse, planted in the General's two coat pockets, taking the dictator out...along with himself and everyone else. Once inside the exhibition hall, Gersdorff was informed that the itinerary called for the Fuhrer to inspect the exhibits for exactly 8 minutes. Really? ridiculous! At least the Gestapo never found him out...he continued to be active in the resistance and lived on to his 75th year.  Imagine if he would have had a shorter fuse that day his life would have been over and our world might be quite a different place!

And finally...the sublime. March 21st, 1685 is the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach...the list at last gives a legit reason for German pride! His sacred works-the nearly 200 cantatas, the large choral and organ
works-communicate a deep Christian faith,  and  together with his secular music-vocal, keyboard, and orc hestra-bespeak his great genius. His melodies grace no less than 8 hymns in our Lutheran Worship...his influence felt in many more. In a few weeks we sing his tune to "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" on Good Friday. But my favorite is his "Jesu, joy of man's desiring."

The font of world history is filled to overflowing with men's desires run amuck. Thanks be to God for the gospel promises that save us from ourselves! We know and we believe that, amidst all the sadness, heartache, and insanity promulgated by the nations there is only one desire and our true joy...and He is Jesus.  That's the good news that is music to our ears and in the darkness of the past and dimness of the present brings delight to our hearts every day. It is HIS STORY...and ours as well!

Pastor Brent,
    
Assisting 
March 24, 2019
Lector: Debbie Bowers
Communion Assistant:
Amanda Pope
Ushers:  Mike Barbera
Counters:Bob Wales & Joe Mattis
Down the Road
Saturday, March 23rd:   SMOTJ Convent 2:00-5:30 pm  (Sanctuary)

Saturday, March 30th:  Andrew Schutt Memorial Service 11:00 am.
Piano Recital 2:00-4:00 pm  (FH).

Sunday, April 14th:  Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 21st:  Easter Communion Service & Easter Breakfast Extravaganza following worship.

Friday, June 14th & Saturday, June 15th:  Synod Assembly

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STAR Mission Statement

SEEK to grow in God's Word

TELL the story of Jesus' love & forgiveness

ACT as God's Hands in the world

REACH OUT to welcome all

Directory
The Rev. Brent H. Thalacker,
Pastor

Carrie Brutscher, Music Director and Council Secretary

Bob Kehler, Council President
c.robert.kehler@gmail.com

Brian Bauman, Vice President

Debbie Bowers, Treasurer 
Donilou24@gmail.com

Joe Mattis, Stewardship

Sandi Kottman, Council Member (at large)

Marianne Wendel, Administrative Assistant
Weekly Calendar
March 24, 2019 thru
March 30, 2019
Sunday
9:30 am
Holy Communion
and  worship
  11:30 am   COI Service
2:00 pm Cristo te Llama
7:30 pm AA Meeting

Monday
1:00 pm  AA Meeting
7:00 pm   Cristo te Llama

Tuesday

9:00 am Music Together
1:00 pm  AA Meeting
2:30 pm Teen Yoga

Wednesday

9:00 am-12:00 pm  TADSAW 
(rescue dog training in fellowship hall) 
11:00 am-4:00 pm   Pastor Brent & Marianne in office. 
2:30 pm Teen Yoga

Thursday
6:00 pm Energetic Yoga
7:00 pm COI Band Rehearsal

Friday
9:00 am
Music Together 


Saturday

9:00 am  Music Together 
11:00 pm Andrew Schutt Funeral 
2:00 pm Piano Recital 
4:00 pm  Cristo te Llama