April 

Palm/Passion Sunday on April 1^st, April fool’s day, how interesting.  There is no foolin’ around during this special week that we call “Holy”.  It is the central week of the church year, not simply because there are so many services (see the schedule) but because of the centrality of what these services commemorate.  We center ourselves as a Christian community on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Foot washing, Holy Communion, the stations of the cross, the seven last words from the cross, the sacrificial love of Christ, the joy and power of the empty tomb, we celebrate not only because of what Christ did and who he is, but because of what we are becoming in Christ.

The Easter season.  It takes much more than a single day to celebrate the resurrection, God’s victory over death in Jesus, and the new life, renewal, and transformation God extends to us in Jesus Christ.  50 days in this season to give thanks for Jesus’ triumph over sin and death and the hope it offers.  This event is too profound and life changing to limit to a single day or week.  We need a week of weeks, the 50 days.

As Easter people we can and should extend our celebration of the Great Fifty Days beyond the sanctuary.  I came across a recipe for “Jesus is Risen” Rolls.  Why not bake them with your children or grandchildren.  Why not make them and take them to a neighbor and explain as the recipe does the significance or write it down for them.  “Christ is Risen!”

“Jesus Is Risen” Rolls

Ingredients:

1 Can Refrigerated Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

8 Large Marshmallows

Melted Butter

Cinnamon & Sugar Mixture

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2. Give each person one crescent roll triangle, (This represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped

in) and one marshmallow (representing Jesus).

3. Have each person dip their marshmallow in the melted butter and roll around in the cinnamon

and sugar (representing the oil and spices that were anointed on Christ’s body).

4. Next Lay the cinnamon and sugar covered marshmallow onto the crescent roll triangle then

carefully wrap, making sure that all seams are closed. (This represents the wrapping of Jesus’

body after he died on the cross).

5. Place on a cookie sheet and bake it in the oven for 10-12 minutes (the oven represents the

tomb).

6. While the rolls are baking, pretend the children are the guards and three days pass.

7. When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can break open their rolls (cloth) and

discover that Jesus is no longer there. HE IS RISEN!

8. Read the story out of the Bible (Luke 23:1-12) or out of your favorite children’s Bible.

For more ideas about how you can pass on faith in your homes go to:

http://www.neiasynod.org/synod-resources/YouthFamilyResources.asp

March

At our January Annual meeting 88% of those present directed the council and feasibility task force to pursue an alternate site for Lord of Life to call home base for ministry.  This is not a final decision by any means; many questions must be wisely resolved.  As you will see, numerous facets still need to be studied to determine if this is a wise use of the resources God has bestowed upon this congregation.

The feasibility task force views the following areas as essential in responding to the directive of the congregation:

1. Marketability of our present facility and property.  This will be directed by Pat Friedman, utilizing her years of experience and contacts in the commercial real estate business.
2. Hire an architect.  This will be accomplished in a timely fashion, since preliminary interviews were held approximately a year ago.  A recommendation will be made to the council and then communicated.
3. Site selection.  We have informally shown interest in a piece of property presently owned by Luther Manor on Asbury road.  We continue to identify and evaluate alternate sites.
4. An alternate plan for location of worship and offices space will be developed.

The above tasks are not listed in a specific order, but will be addressed in a logical progression.  They will also be accomplished in a timely fashion, we will not be hasty making rash decisions, but neither do we want to draw this process out.

The task force and council will keep you informed.  This will happen thru the newsletter, bulletin, visuals, website, temple talks, adult class, email or letters.  As usual if you have any questions please contact any of us on the feasibility task force:  Jon Dienst, Mike Donohue, Pat Friedman, Rick Krueger, Lin Massey, Jeff Mentzer, and me (Pastor John) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please include this process in your prayers.

February 

The vision of our Stephen Leaders: “To provide one-on-one compassionate Christian care to hurting people.”  This vision has taken the first step towards reality as the following people have committed to be the in the first class of Stephen Ministers: Darlene and Kevin Curoe, Jeanie Donohue, Lin Massey, Tonia Ricke, and Allan Simms.  The 50 hours of training takes place under the leadership of Jean Krueger, Ken Resch, Mona Sorenson, and Heidi Wiese.  Please keep this special ministry in your prayers.

Lent will soon be upon us with Ash Wednesday worship February 22 at 7:00.  We hear that night that now is the acceptable time to return to the Lord.  During Lent we reflect on the meaning of our baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection.  The Ashes that night suggests our human mortality and frailty.  What seems like an ending is really an invitation to make each day a new beginning, in which we are washed in God’s mercy and forgiveness.  With the cross on our brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that flows from the Easter feast to come.

The Sundays in Lent each year always begin with the temptation of Christ in the wilderness.  The Spirit descends like a dove (Mk1:10) at Jesus’ baptism; the Spirit drives him into the wilderness (1:12).  We have two sides of the coin—those called and strengthened by baptism are set out in the wilderness, at odds with a world full of sin.

The gospels for the Sunday’s of Lent look like this:  Mark 1:9-15, baptism and temptation; Mark 8:31-38, taking up the cross; John 2:13-22, Jesus in the temple and Jesus as the temple; John 3:13-21, God sent the Son as the light; John 12:20-33, Jesus will be lifted up and glorify God.  A dominant theme is Jesus as the light in the world that is a threat to the darkness of the world, and crucified for it.     

We will hear: