This Sunday's Theme:

10:30 AM Service

"The Call!"

Luke 5:1-11

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 

When Patti and I met, working at a Bible Camp, one of our points of connection was refugees. Her home church, First Presbyterian in Joliet, IL. had sponsored a Vietnamese family as had my home church, Bethany Lutheran. We were growing up in the  post-Vietnam War where many of our friends in South Vietnam were in trouble after the war ended and we promised to help.  

This work began 80 years ago when Lutheran Immigration Refugee Services began resettling vetted and legal Lutherans from Europe to the States after World War II. Two of my college classmates and their families were resettled from Estonia when the Soviets took over the Baltic States. One went to seminary with me and became a professor at one of our Lutheran seminaries. 

Today that work continues helping to resettle refugees who have served us abroad and face persecution for remaining there. LIRS is now Global Refuge, a pan-Lutheran organization, along with Catholic Charities and World Refuge, the Evangelical arm of refugee resettlement all receive federal funding to help with these services. All refugees have a legal status and are not immigrants. Over the weekend, all funds committed to LSS-SW were frozen with the shutdown of USAID. 

As I stated earlier, these organizations receive authorized funds (by congress) to assist with the resettlement of refugees. They are matched by our many donations. If you want to assist in any way, you can contact your Senators and Congressman in DC, asking them to release the funds. LSS is also now in need of over $800,000 which has been stopped by executive order from authorized government funding. LSS is currently serving refugees here in the Valley so your donations will help them to continue serving the people entrusted to them and us. However you can help would be greatly appreciated.  

Now, let’s talk about this Sunday, the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany! Jesus preaches his first sermon from an amphitheater! And then he calls some fisherman to follow him. If we are called to follow God, how can we know if that call truly is from God? Join me this Sunday at 10:30 am as we look at “The Call!” 

In the blessed name of Jesus Christ!  

Pastor Steve Kruse 

Some weeks catch you off guard. This week was one of them for me. Par for the course with parenting I suppose. Pun intended, as it truly is the right week for a golf idiom! Of course, each day comes with challenges, whether those are personal or professional, there isn't a day that does not present us with obstacles. Some days the hurdles are higher, and the jump is more difficult. Some days the course is easier to get through. Yesterday was a day that presented me with challenges as a mother. Three things brought me comfort during this time, reminding me of how blessed I am, even during the most challenging days.  

The first of those three things is my best friend, who is wise, faithful, and loving. She always knows exactly what to say to help me through situations that test and shake me. She is the person who will never judge me. She will laugh with me. She will cry with me, and she will be my sister in Christ forever. We all need that person. She is mine.  

The second of those 3 things is my family. My children are intuitive and loving and know exactly when we need to come together as a family. Most importantly, they love one another and look out for one another. Sometimes it takes times like these to recognize exactly how much that is true. They may bicker and act like they despise one another on other days, but when they need to come back to center, they do. This is when the love they have for one another and me is the most evident.  

Finally, the most incredible comfort and the foundation of the first two comforts is my God. His promises and His word make me a better person. He is there to talk to, to listen to, and to learn from. His word is strong, steady, and unfailing. He on His own, and through my best friend and my children, brings me the most comfort. I know He will never forsake me. He will not abandon me. He is walking this walk with me, and He intended for all of these events to unfold. So, I am grateful for that and for my relationship with Him.  

My best friend said..."We all have a choice to see the good or not in a situation. What you focus on is what will grow..." I will choose to focus on the good! That statement will resonate with me as I navigate this challenge and all to come! And God will be part of every twist and turn.  

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18  

May you allow your support system to include Jesus as you navigate your challenges, each and every day. 

Ms. Dana

School Calendar

• We pray for peace and good results for Eric Huber, a grandfather of NCLS students, after he received unexpected news at the doctor last week. He will have additional testing this week.
• We pray for good news for Greg, following imaging.
• We pray for healing for Chris, who suffered a stroke and is in the ICU.
• Kurt Keiser is suffering from high blood pressure and other health issues. We pray that he would experience healing.
• We pray for peace and comfort for Collins family as they mourn the passing of Paul.
• We pray for a full and rapid recovery for Barbara Bontempi, following a stroke.
• We pray for healing for Brad, who broke his back, and now awaits the plan of care from his doctor on whether he will need surgery or not.
• Prayers for complete healing for Matt, brother of Tina, following his hospitalization after a seizure.
• We pray for Tiffani Scott, niece of Sheri Hanchar and granddaughter of Ann McDonell, during her ongoing breast cancer treatment and next phase of chemo.
• We pray for Miranda’s son who is hospitalized and facing surgery for a neck abscess. Miranda is Katie Mayer’s friend.
• We pray for strength and healing for Christina, daughter of Kim, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and now has recurrence in her liver and brain.
• We pray for healing for Kevin Bunn, brother-in-law of Max Duarte. Kevin has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver and began chemo this week.
• That the Holy Spirit would come and fill us and our church with its Pentecost power, love and grace.
• Prayers for Sandee that she is able to experience healing for her depression as well as other health struggles. Prayers that she would find a renewed sense of purpose.
• Prayers for all young parents, for patience, peace, and overflowing love in their homes.
• Prayers for healing for Troy's brother in Colorado who suffers from Parkinson's.
• Prayers for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with therapy.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.