First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

From the Pastor

On February 18 we observed Ash Wednesday. With all good intentions, we had planned to hold our usual service of imposition of ashes and Holy Communion, but the weather had other things in mind for us. Ash Wednesday was cancelled! Well, at least the service was cancelled, here and just about everywhere else in RVA. I won’t go into a rant about the influence the media have on every aspect of life these days: but allow me to say that twenty years ago cancelling an Ash Wednesday evening service due to six inches of snow that had fallen the night before would have been quaint, to say the least. But that scrolling they provide on the local TV stations telling what churches have cancelled services tends to be contagious: one gets the impression that only an idiot would hold Ash Wednesday services under such adverse weather conditions! Be that as it may, I assume we all observed the day at home in whatever way is meaningful for us.

Easter is on April 5, which means that the entire month of March will be “in Lent.” As I pointed out in my sermon on Sunday, February 22, the Sundays in this season are in Lent and not of Lent. The preposition is important; every Sunday is in a sense a “little Easter,” a reminder of the fact that our Lord rose from the dead on the first day of the week. But even the Sundays in Lent have a somewhat somber tone; for instance, there is no Alleluia in the liturgy.

Many of us remember Lent as a time when we were called upon to give up something as a reminder of our Lord’s sacrifice of his life as a ransom for our sins. And that’s a good place to start. True confessions: as a boy, I gave up buying comic books and playing pinball machines (the real thing, not computer versions) during this somber season.

Yet Lent can be a very positive experience for the Christian, regardless of the past memories we might have of it as a gloomy season of the church year we did not look forward to. And those in our church who do not come from backgrounds where Lent was strictly observed have an advantage: they can approach it with an open mind.

Lent continues to remind us that it is in the cross of Christ, towering o’er the wrecks of time, that we are to glory, not in our own achievements or cleverness. As Paul says in Galatians 6:14, May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here at First English we will observe Lent, among other ways, with Wednesday evening Bible studies. We’ve been working our way through the book of Jeremiah—if ever there was a “Lenten” prophet, he’s the one! — and will continue with Ezekiel when we’re through with Jeremiah. I’d like to encourage attendance at these sessions, which are very informal, meet in the library/conference room, and are preceded by the 6 pm Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal. What an excellent opportunity to meet members of your congregation you may not know and become more familiar with the Bible!

Beyond that, let’s use this season as a time to draw closer to God through increased church attendance. So far this year we’re running a little ahead of 2014 so far as the numbers present at the Sunday services is concerned: let’s commit to come every week, which used to be the norm everywhere. Daily prayer and devotions are also very positive things we can do during Lent and continue doing thereafter. And may I insert an advertisement here for our Sunday School classes? They all begin at 9:15 a.m. In addition to the classes for children and teenagers, there is the traditional adult class meeting in the chapel, which provides in depth study of the Bible, and a non-traditional group which gets together in the Wagner room to discuss contemporary issues as they relate to our Christian faith in a non-traditional setting. (Yes, folks, I consider your informal get-together a Sunday School class!). There’s even coffee available.

One final suggestion: Perhaps this Lenten season could serve as a challenge to become more involved in social ministry: humble service to our fellow human beings. There certainly is no lack of such opportunities at First English; Caritas is one example; there is a sign-up sheet in the Wagner room, and still some slots open.

In all these endeavors we would do well to remember the words of the prophet Micah: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

We need Lent! A whole month of it. It shouts to us: Get right with God! Now that’s not such an unreasonable demand, is it?

~ Pastor John Schweitzer

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

UPCOMING EVENTS

The next meeting of the WELCA will be on Friday, March 13th, beginning at 6:00 pm. The speaker will be Richard Ruff. Please note that the dinner for the evening will be a potluck so please bring your favorite dish to share. The evening will end with a business meeting.

James River Park WalkSaturday, March 21st, 10 am

Meet in the JRP headquarters parking lot at Riverside Drive and Hillcrest Road. We will walk along the south side of the river towards the City and cross to Belle Isle, circle Belle Isle then return to the parking lot. The walk is approximately 3 1/2 - 4 miles and is rated "easy". Join us for lunch following the walk at O'tooles Restaurant & Pub (4800 Forest Hill Ave).

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

CARITAS (Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter):

First English will assist St. John’s United Church of Christ (at St. John’s) with the intake component of the CARITAS program from February 16th - April 14th, on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Volunteers are needed from 5:30 (5:15 if you can) until about 7:00.

The job is simple: provide warm hospitality and set out and serve drinks (coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade) and snacks (provided) to individuals in need of shelter.

CARITAS is a shelter program serving homeless in the Richmond area. Churches and other organizations in the greater Richmond area open their doors to provide shelter to homeless individuals. Since many of the overnight shelters are in the suburban areas, guests gather at downtown churches (intake centers) and are bussed from there to the overnight location.

St. John’s United Church of Christ is across the circle from First English and is one of our fellow Stuart Circle Parish congregations.

Contact Sheryl Finucane 1-448-3754 (h), 833-5434 (c) or mailto:sdgfin@gmail.com for additional information.

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

The Education CommitteeThe Education Committee is charged with developing and carrying out ways to enhance the Christian Education of all God's children in this special place we call First English Lutheran Church. We use ELCA curriculum in our Sunday School classes. Classes are provided for all ages from age 3 to adults. We encourage all eligible youth to attend Synod events. Other activities sponsored by the Education committee are:

Cradle RollNurseryWednesdays TogetherReformation PotluckAdvent EventChildren's Christmas NativityPentecost Party

We are always in need of volunteers to help with Sunday School and all other Education Committee activities. Contact Debbie Lane or Susan Fenerty if you would like to help.

Newsletter DeadlineAll submissions for the April issue need to be turned in to the church office no later than Friday, March 13.Thank you for your cooperation. Church Office Staff

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

Worship AssistantsMarch 1 – 2nd

Sunday in LentMarch 8 – 3rd

Sunday in LentMarch 15 – 4th

Sunday in LentMarch 22 – 5th

Sunday in LentMarch 29 –

Palm Sunday8:15 Lector Grace Gulick Marlene James Nancy Mondrey Laura Rice Kathy Massie10:30 Lectors

1. Joedy Smith2. Cheryl Shiembob

1. John Peterson2. Jeff Nelson

1. Molly McCue2. Nicole Krause

1. Wayne Griffin2. Mariah Hubbs

1. Reni Gower2. Sheryl Finucane

Crucifer Molly McCue Stuart Myer Ellie Fenerty Cassidy Hoke Jim ByerlyAcolyte Cassidy Hoke Jake Hamilton Amanda Jarvis Cooper Hoke Nate FenertyAltar Guild Libby Riggle

Peggy DavisLynn Heltzel Billy Duke

Linda WallacePolly Brickman Jim Byerly

CommunionElements to Altar

Carol McCue Caroline Heltzel Sheryl Finucane Polly Brickman Rob Comet

Head Counter

John Ritz John Ritz John Ritz John Ritz John Ritz

Counters Joe ThistedJoe Smith

Elaine SmithCheryl Shiembob

Betty DavidsonCarol McCue

Julie JudgeBob Lane

Jennifer GentryGrace Gulick

Ushers Roger RiggleBill DavidsonSheryl FinucaneStuart Myer

Lynn HeltzelMark CrumptonJim ByerlyDebbie Lane

Joyce SmithJoedy SmithRoger RiggleBill Davidson

Caroline HeltzelBob LaneDebbie LaneLynn Heltzel

Jim ByerlyKirk FenertyRoger RiggleBill Fenerty

Hospitality Congregational Life Committee

Melissa Shaffer Deborah Hubbs Debbie Lane Sheryl Finucane

Readings Gen 17:1-7,15-16Rom 4:13-25Mark 8:31-38

Exod 20:1-171 Cor 1:18-25John 2:13-22

Num 21:4-9Eph 2:1-10John 3:14-21

Jer 31:31-34Heb 5:5-10John 12:20-33

Isa 50:4-9aPhil 2:5-11Mark 14:”1—15:47

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

** Please find a replacement when you cannot serve and notify the church office at 355-9185 as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and service to the Church.

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

FELC People News

Let’s Celebrate March with the Following Members of our Congregation

Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating a

birthday in the month of March!

Congratulations to all celebrating a Wedding Anniversary in March!

Daylight Savings Time

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

Sunday March 8, 2015

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

Sunday March 1 – 2nd Sunday in Lent8:15 am: Service of Holy Communion9:15 am: Sunday School9:30 am: Choir Rehearsal

10:30 am: Service of Holy Communion11:30 am: Hospitality – Congregational Life

Wed. March 4 –Wednesdays Together6:00 pm: Dinner6:45 pm: Choir Rehearsal6:45 pm: Lenten Bible Study

Sunday March 8 – 3rd Sunday in LentDaylight Savings Time Begins8:15 am: Service of Holy Communion9:15 am: Sunday School9:30 am: Choir Rehearsal

10:30 am: Service of Holy Communion11:30 am: Hospitality – Melissa Shaffer12:00 pm: Soul Stitchers12:00 pm: Congregational Life Committee Meeting

Wed. March 11 – Wednesdays Together6:00 pm: Dinner6:45 pm: Choir Rehearsal6:45 pm: Lenten Bible Study

Friday March 136:00 pm: Women of the ELCA Meeting

Sunday March 15 – 4th Sunday in Lent8:15 am: Service of Holy Communion9:15 am: Sunday School9:30 am: Choir Rehearsal

10:30 am: Service of Holy Communion11:30 am: Hospitality – Deborah Hubbs12:00 pm: Outreach Committee Meeting

Tuesday March 177:00 pm: Congregation Council Meeting

Wed. March 18 – Wednesdays Together6:00 pm: Dinner6:45 pm: Choir Rehearsal6:45 pm: Lenten Bible Study

Saturday March 2110:00 am: James River Park Walk

Sunday March 22 – 5th Sunday in Lent8:15 am: Service of Holy Communion9:15 am: Sunday School9:30 am: Choir Rehearsal

10:30 am: Service of Holy Communion11:30 am: Hospitality – Debbie Lane12:00 pm: Worship & Music Committee Meeting

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–

Wed. March 25 – Wednesdays Together6:00 pm: Dinner6:45 pm: Choir Rehearsal6:45 pm: Lenten Bible Study

Sunday March 29 – Palm Sunday8:15 am: Service of Holy Communion9:15 am: Sunday School9:30 am: Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am: Palm Sunday Procession10:30 am: Service of Holy Communion11:30 am: Hospitality – Sheryl Finucane

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2015–