April Newsletter - First Lutheran Church

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Newsletter

April 2018

Coffee & Donuts 8:30am

Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 8:45am

Worship w/Holy Communion 10:00am

Student Lunch 11:15am

From Pastor John

Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed!

I write this when Easter is one of the earliest times it may be on April 1, while next year it will be on April 21.

It's what we in church call a "moveable feast," because its date is determined by the lunar rather than the solar calendar. Easter and the events of Holy Week are rooted in the celebration of Passover, itself a lunar-based holiday. It was during Passover that Jesus gave us his Supper, as a type of New Passover meal which gave forgiveness of sins and explained that his death on the cross would be, namely a new Exodus and Passover. The rescue was not just any earthly foe, but what stood behind it: sin, death, and the devil.

The date of Easter changes but its significance does not change! Change and decay, all around we see says the song, "Abide With Me." This past year, members of our community have felt. We know someone who has died, whether a friend or family member.

A pastor friend of mine has said that death and the fear of it is the greatest spiritual power next to Jesus, in part because of its certainty. Even more so it is because of its pervasive and invasive nature.

However, Jesus came to this earth with a message that is pervasive and invasive too. Jesus conquered death, releasing you from slavery to fear.Easter is about life ending in death on Jesus' cross, only to begin again in life.Easter is about the certainty of the resurrection. Given by Jesus. Given to you.

May this certainty of the resurrection fill you with great hope and courage as you encounter death in all its forms. Death is not the final word in our vocabulary. Jesus is the final Word, who is the Resurrection and the Life.

Prayer Thoughts

God is Gracious.

It's spring time with the greening of the trees, with shrubs bursting out in colorful blooms, and the removal of dead plants, limbs, etc. The yards and the green areas are coming back to life. The almond trees are blossoming in Israel. The almond blossoms are symbols for wakefulness and alertness. "Jeremiah is asked what he sees, 'a branch of an almond tree.' The LORD responds, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over My Word to perform it.'" Jeremiah 1:11-12 Jesus is that living Word. (John 1:1,14)

This is an exciting time for us as believers to celebrate our God, the Heavenly Father, for His graciousness and abundant mercy toward us.

From the very beginning God the Father showed how gracious and merciful He was. He has always desired fellowship with us but there was a wall between us. "But now entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us." Malac hi 1:9

The Hebrew word chanan (Strong's #2603) is a verb which means to be gracious: considerate to show favor, extending a favor when not expected nor deserved, a gift from the heart. This verb appears 81 times. God is very merciful, by His own choice,

(Ex 33:19) and by His very nature (Is 30:18,19)

In Exodus 33:19b, and Romans 9:15 "God said to Moses, 'I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.'" "Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. He will be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you." Is 30:18-19b

Channuwn (Strong's #2587) is the adjective form of chanan. It is used only in reference to God and denotes His action of His free and unmerited love toward us. It is used in these verse s: Ex 22:27; Ex 34:6; 2 Chro 30:9; Neh 9:17,31; Psalms 86:15, 103:8, 111:4, 112:4, 116:5, 145:8

Because Jesus Christ the beloved Son of God was willing to be the lamb sacrificed for us, we now can celebrate Easter Sunday Resurrection Day with joy and singing songs of praises to our God who made plans for us to be united with Him in fellowship. The LORD went to great lengths to have a personal relationship with us. So, "we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us....The Anointed one came and died to demonstrate His love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves. ...Christ proved God's passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly. Through the blood of Jesus we are now righteous in our Heavenly Father's sight."

Romans 5:5-9 The Passion Translation

"With all my heart and passion I will thank you, my God! I will give glory to Your name, always and forever! You love me so much and You placed Your greatness upon me. You rescued me from the deepest place of darkness, and You have delivered me from a certain death." Psalm 86:12,13 The Passion Translation

Hallelujah! He is Risen!

MIRIAM CIRCLE

Miriam Circle's next meeting will be on Tuesday morning, April 10th, in the church library. We should be able to use the newly finished parking lot this time. The Spring Lutheran Woman's Quarterlies have arrived, so they will be available at the meeting. Just bring your Bible. We'll do the first study in the new book, which is entitled "Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye My People." We begin with coffee and fellowship at 10:00, work through our Bible Study together, and try to be finished before noon. In the meantime, have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!

MISSION AUCTION DINNER

APRIL 14, 2018

THE SILENT AUCTION ROOM IS BACK AT OUR ANNUAL MISSION AUCTION DINNER!

If you've attended the Mission Auction Dinner in the past you realize that The Dessert Room has always been a great success and because of it's success we've decided to bring back the Silent Auction Rooms where you can have fun competing with other bidders while helping with First Lutheran's mission outreach.

This is going to take a big effort on our part to have wonderful items up for bid. That's where you can help, we are looking for donations. They can be new, gently used or even gift certificates and items from local businesses.

Please help us make this year's Mission Auction Dinner the best ever. Bring your donations to the church office where they will be stored until the auction.

Calling all bakers - we need YOU! The annual Mission Auction Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th. As you know, the highlight of the event is the DESSERT auction, and we need all kinds of wonderful baked items - from cookies to pies to cakes and bars, they all are appreciated.

Please contact Julie Kahlfeldt ([email protected]) if you would like to bake this year!

Tuesday Tasters

Ladies, we are again ready to gather for a fine, friendly luncheon together. here are the details

When: Tuesday April 17, 2018

Time: 11:30am

Where:Carrabbas Italian Grill

Address: 3021 SW 34th Street

Go south through the intersection of SW 34th st and archer rd.Take the first left hand turn, into a shopping area. Carrabbas is not in view from SW 34th st. but you will see it as you drive further.

R.S.V.P. Judy helling 376-8607

Please respond by Monday April 16 so we can give a definite number. Thanks for your cooperation.

If you are interested in joining the choir, handbell choir or the praise band please see our Music Director Hyejin Park or email her at [email protected].

Choir rehearses Thursday nights at 7pm.

Thank You Volunteers!

Have you volunteered at First Lutheran Church in 2017 or in 2018? If so we'd love to hear about it! Green hearts will be available in the church office during the week or in the narthex on Sundays. Please take a green heart, write your name and how you have volunteered at FLC in 2017 & 2018. All hearts should be returned to Stephanie Karolus by April 22. Thank you for your help!

Vacation Bible School Decorators Needed

D o you have a special talent for transforming a space? Did God gift you with artistic talents? Your help is needed to transform First Lutheran into a tropical paradise! If you are interested in creating decorations or brainstorming ideas please contact Stephanie Karolus.