“Behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” Matthew 27:51

Behold! In the King James Version of the Bible, translated in 1611, the word behold appears nearly 1,300 times. But, when was the last time you heard behold used in casual conversation? The word is a weighty one. It invites us to “pay attention to this!”

We are familiar with the angel’s message to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10) and John’s message, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). The verse above calls out with the same sense of importance and even urgency. Stop. Be still. Gaze upon what is before us. This deserves your undivided attention. Behold invites us to pause, look, and see the work of God.

Two assignments for today: Take a few moments to walk outside today. Behold the work of God around you! Secondly, what was the significance of the curtain of the temple being torn in two? Discuss with a fellow educator!

Lord, stop my rushing spirit today and guide me to behold your work around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Please join us in praying and thanking God for the following schools this week:

St. John’s Lutheran School and Preschool, Orange, CA

Precious Stones Lutheran Preschool, Sedona, AZ

Below are photos from St. John’s Lutheran School and Preschool,

Orange, CA:

4^th grade Battle of the Books (BOB) school tournament winners.

St. John’s Lutheran School staff celebrated Read Across America Day on March 2 by dressing as their favorite storybook characters (the office staff was from the Wizard of Oz).

St. John’s students celebrated Read Across America Day on March 2 by dressing as their favorite book character or author and reading in comfy places.

The preschool playground is converted into a winter wonderland for a day. 11 tons of snow + 100 preschool students = Best.Day.Ever!

Mrs. Emily Martinez, preschool director, and Mrs. Trisha Frazier, assistant preschool director, help a preschool student get ready to go down the sled run.

A preschool student receives the mark of the cross in ashes from Vicar Micah Raebel at the preschool Ash Wednesday service. Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom also assisted with the special preschool chapel.

The mountains of Southern California have been hit with record amounts of snow. Our friends at Shepherd of the Pines in Big Bear and Mount Calvary in Lake Arrowhead are in need of assistance. Many congregants are “snowed-in”, and food is being delivered via helicopter as the roads are still being cleared. Please consider collecting a special offering this week for their benefit. Donations can be made here or by check made out to the PSD with “disaster relief” in the memo. The Pacific Southwest District thanks you for caring for our brothers and sisters in need.

Please be sure these last two Admissions Director Network meetings are on your calendar! 

Tuesday, March 21 – LuTEC High School in Norwalk.  Jennifer Harmell, Concordia University Irvine, will present Using Social Media for Brand Awareness & Community Engagement and Beth Fitzgerald, Orange Lutheran High School, will present Maximizing Your School’s Marketing Potential as a One-Person Marketing Department.

Tuesday, May 16 – PSD Office in Irvine. This meeting’s focus is still to be determined, but it will be a celebration of all that God has accomplished through YOU at your school!

Both meetings start at 10 a.m. and will end between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. 

Please RSVP your attendance to the March 21 meeting to [email protected] by TOMORROW, March 16!

We are planning a Zoom Legal Workshop, Tuesday, April 4, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. We have secured employment lawyer Adam Treiger as the presenter for this workshop. This will be a practical, hands-on webinar. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!

Click here to read about Concordia University Irvine's purchase of a 113,882 square foot building in Irvine. This investment is a testimony to Concordia's continued commitment to serve the community of Irvine and Orange County, as it will house Concordia’s growing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program as well as other academic programs and university offices.

Please join Dr. Alan Freeman, Director of LCMS School Ministry, and Dave Kuschel, Senior Director of Communications and Advocacy for Concordia Plans, for Tuesday Talks - Zoom sessions focusing on Lutheran School Communication Strategies! 

Tuesday Talks will be offered at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Central Time and again at 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Central Time. The same material will be presented during each time slot. Sessions will be recorded for on-demand access. 

The next Tuesday Talk takes place on March 28 with the topic of Consistent Messaging. This session will provide a 20-25 presentation on the topic by Dave Kuschel followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion for the remaining time. Documents utilized during the presentation will be made available for download and use. 

Zoom Link: Talk About It Tuesday

Jr. High Camp 2023 is coming May 25-28 -- and we are SO excited for your students to participate in this life-changing camp! Junior high is a pivotal season for most people and many Christians point to experiences in junior high where they saw Jesus working the most positive change in their lives. Our theme for this year’s JH Camp is "Peace Quest." In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” At camp this year, we’re on a quest to find ultimate peace - a peace that offers wholeness to our hearts and lives, and a peace that only comes from Jesus, who has overcome the world. Click here for more information!

• Prayers from St. John’s Lutheran School and Preschool, Orange, CA: Prayers for Dean Martinez, husband of Emily Martinez (Preschool Director at St. John’s Preschool), for healing as he continues to battle cancer. Please also pray for their family as they support him.
• Prayers for Shirley Heckman and family at the passing of Bob Heckman on Monday, March 13. Bob taught at St. John’s, Oxnard; First, Temple City; St. John’s, Montebello; and Emmaus, Alhambra. Bob also served as Principal at both St. John’s and Emmaus. We praise and thank God for Bob’s 41 years of ministry. Prayers of comfort and peace for Shirley and his family.
• Prayers of comfort and peace for Katherine Gorka (Preschool Director at TLC Preschool in Casa Grande, AZ) and her family at the homegoing to heaven of Katherine's mother.
• Prayers for Chris Wend, husband of Valorie Wend (principal at Loving Savior, Chino Hills, CA). Chris is still dealing with the effects of a car accident over a year and a half ago. He needs hernia repair and an abdominal reconstruction due to injuries he sustained during the accident. This is a very large surgery which will require 5+ hours of surgery. Please pray for the best plan from the doctors and choosing the right surgeons to give Chris the best path to a full recovery.

Schools we are praying for the week of March 19:

Lamb of God Lutheran School and Preschool, Las Vegas, NV

Our Redeemer Lutheran Preschool, Winnetka, CA 

Each week, prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for teachers, administrators, support staff, pastors, students, and families of the Lutheran schools, early childhood centers, and churches of the Pacific Southwest District are listed. To include names on the list, please send information to [email protected] by noon on Tuesdays.