From the Pastor...

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Volume 4 Issue 3

March 2014

Publication date:

February 28, 2014

Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church

Annapolis, Maryland

Are You Getting into the Spirit?

When it comes to the Christmas Holidays, we’re used to certain kinds of language and even certain kinds of questions. We’re not sur-prised, for example, if someone asks us: “Are you getting into the spir-it?” Most of the time we understand what that means. It means “Are you in the mood that usually comes with the season?” “Do you feel any excitement as the celebration of Christmas approaches?” Now, bottom line, these may not be the most important ques-tions to ask, especially if they leave the real meaning of Christmas out of the picture. But usually, if someone asks “Are you getting into the spirit?”, we assume some good will on the part of the questioner and offer some kind of polite response: “Well, not yet!” Or “Well, I’m get-ting there.” But when it comes to the Season of Lent, we may have more difficulty. If someone asks as we enter the season of Lent – not that many people do – “Are you getting into the spirit?”, there might be a longer pause, as we consider a response. What does “the spirit of Lent” really entail? Is there only one way to feel it or embrace it? Since there’s a lot less secular attention (and hoopla) given to the season of Lent than to the season of Christ-mas, finding an appropriate response can be much more challenging? On one thing, most people would probably agree: The mood or “spirit” of Lent is definitely different from the mood or “spirit” of Christmas. For one thing, Lent (at least, once Shrove Tuesday is past) doesn’t lend itself to a lot of feasting or celebrating. Lent also doesn’t have a lot of gift-giving tied to it, so the commercial world doesn’t get all that excited about it. But the real “problem” with Lent is probably more basic. For Lent, rather than a season of celebration, is a season of “the three R’s,” Reflection, Repentance and Renewal. We might even say that the fo-cus of Lent is not on celebration, but on brokenness -- brokenness, as in “we need some major fixing,” and brokenness, as in Psalm: 51: 17: “… a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” The theme we’ve chosen for the 2014 Lenten Season doesn’t run away from this. It embraces it full-heartedly. As we move together from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week, especially in our Wednesday wor-ship, we do it under these words: “Jesus Heals Our Brokenness.” We choose this in “the spirit of the season.” We do it calling upon the Ho-ly Spirit to lead us and teach us. Learn more about it through the Lenten Schedule included in this LUTHERLINK. Join others each Wednesday in the AACS Library, at 7:00 p.m., as we journey together through the Season of Lent. -- Pastor Miller

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Midweek 2014 Lenten Worship

Jesus Heals Our Brokenness

7:00 p.m.

Annapolis Area Christian School—2nd Floor Library

716 Bestgate Road

Ash Wednesday—March 5—Disposition of Ashes, Holy Communion

“Broken Hearts” — Joel 2: 12-19

March 12

“Broken Vessel” — Mark 14: 1-9

March 19

“Broken Sanctuary” — Matthew 21: 12-17

March 26

“Broken Trust” — Matthew 26: 14-25

April 2

“Broken Promises” — Matthew 26: 30-35, 69-75

April 9

“Broken Justice” — John 19: 1-15

April 17—Maundy Thursday, Holy Communion

“Broken Bread” — Luke 22: 7b-20

April 18—Good Friday

“Broken Body & Broken Curtain” — John 19: 31-37, Matthew 27: 51-55

Palm Sunday Worship: April 13—9:00 a.m.

Easter Sunday Worship: April 20—9:00 a.m.

(For information: www.annapolislutheran.org or 443-837-6436)

From Church Council...

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Youth Committee Report:

Randy shared that senior high youth had great time skiing and that the ice skating event was another success. Our largest group of youth, seventeen senior high and 8th graders, has signed up to go to work camp in Scranton, Pennsylvania this July 27 th through August 2nd. Adults attending include Randy, Stephanie Grollman and Eric Roberts. Jessica Roberts and Ron Neugebauer have both expressed interest in going as well.

Randy reported that the youth support committee unanimously voted to recommend to Council that Michele Comer remain in the youth director position and the search for a permanent youth director be suspended until the pastor search committee has completed their task of hiring an associate minister. Council concurred with the recommendation by the youth support committee and appreci-ates all Michele and Randy have being doing for the youth of AELC.

Publicity committee:

Randy Hayden voiced some concern about the sound board and the need to add some youth to replace those seniors that will be leaving for college in the fall. Steve and others shared in discussing ideas for having the audio run more smoothly, including a re-quest for more lead time when different configurations are needed.

Mission Committee Report:

Deb Dillner reported that the committee met last week and decided that they really need to carefully consider which Christ-centered mission needs they might be able to help with the Swanson gift. She suggested having some time at the congregational meeting to tell what kinds of things we have been doing and to ask for suggestions.

Fellowship Committee Report:

Tracy reported that the fellowship committee met yesterday and has planned to do a game night in March. They hope to do a bowl-ing night in late April, after Easter. The Bowie Baysocks will be planned for later as well.

Christian Education Report:

Amy shared that Sunday school faith goals have started. Amy complimented the entire Christian Ed staff and the Vis’s great job in music. The kids are really excited to be learning the theme song. First Holy Communion and reception will take place Sunday, April 6th. Amy hopes to have a summer Bible study and is checking with St. Paul about dates for VBS.

Property Committee Report:

Jim Reece met last week with the committee who walked some properties. They have seven properties they are checking out and hope to have some recommendations in the near future.

Pastoral Call Committee Report:

Steve Wrobel shared that they have conducted a couple of telephone interviews with references. The committee still has work ahead of them.

Pastors Report:

Pastor shared that Council would like to officially welcome Ronald and Carolyn Welker, Janna Leigh Ryon, Jonathan Frey and Shirley Cann as members of Annapolis Lutheran. We will welcome these new members on Sunday, February 23 rd during Worship service.

Several members have expressed interest in running for Council. They will be asked to submit short bios to have printed for the congregation to review prior to voting at the February 23rd congregational meeting.

Mid Atlantic Lutheran Fellowship Mission Festival is taking place Saturday, March 22nd and Council and congregation members are encouraged to attend. An insert will be included in the church bulletin.

Lenten services are being planned and will be based on the theme of human brokenness.

Annapolis Area Christian School is having a fundraiser Spring Spectacular, “Under the Big Top”. As a part of our effort to support the school, a motion was made and approved that Annapolis Lutheran sponsor two tables for teachers to attend the event.

Melanie and pastor went to an open forum at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pasadena to hear Rev. John Bradosky and Rev. David Wendel speak about the NALC and discipleship ministry on January 22nd.

President Report/Stewardship committee:

Pat led finalizing the agenda for the congregational meeting for February 23, 2014. The agenda and a written version of Council’s recommendation for the distribution of the Swanson gift will be distributed, along with the council candidates’ bios.

The next Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 10th at 6:30 pm at the church office.

- Respectfully shared by Lesli Paola, council secretary

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From NALC ...

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Upcoming Thrivent Financial Presentation...

Women’s Prayer Breakfast...

Got a strategy to take the scare out of long-term care?

Join us for a complimentary one-hour Preparing for Long-Term Care presentation and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 27th at Nautilus Grill, 1709 Transportation Blvd., Crofton, MD 21114. Thrivent Financial representative Nancy L. Wapshott, RICP®, LUTCF, FIC, and Venus Wilson, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, FIC, will in-troduce you to long-term care—what it is, what it’s not and how you and your family can prepare for it.

To RSVP, contact Nancy Wapshott at 410-923-3746 nancy.wapshott@thrivent.com or Venus Wilson at 301-925-8010 venus.wilson@thrivent.com.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. No products will be sold at this event.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

For additional important disclosure information, please visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Join us for a Passover Seder. Learn about this significant meal commemorating God's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt, celebrated to this day in the Jewish faith. We will discuss the symbolism of the Passover Seder and Christ's Last Supper. We hope it will enhance your worship at The Lord's Table as you partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Please RSVP to Debbie Robinson @msdebi@mac.com and let her know what you can bring to share for our breakfast that will follow the Seder.

March 15,2014

Suite B

9:00-11:00a.m.

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. - 1 Corinthians 5:7

You have been invited by Karen Schrader to sign up for "Nursery." Please click on the link below to view

the online sign up sheet.

Thank you for volunteering!!

To sign up, go to:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0F4FAAA82AA46-nursery

Help the Nursery...

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Worshipping at

Annapolis Area Christian School

716 Bestgate Road

Annapolis MD 21401

ANNAPOLIS EVANGELICAL

LUTHERAN CHURCH

Church office

1203 West Street Suite F

Annapolis MD 21401

443-837-6436

www.annapolislutheran.org

email: church@annapolislutheran.org

Anchored in Scripture ...Sharing Life in Christ

A NALC and LCMC Congregation

Church Staff

Pastor: The Reverend Gerald A. Miller

Music Director: Janna Ryon

Church Secretary: Donna Pruzinsky

Bookkeeper: Cindy Miller

Youth Director: Dr. Michele Comer

9:00 a.m. Sundays: Worship with Holy Communion 10:15 a.m. Sundays: Coffee Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sundays: Education Hour for all ages

February Wednesdays in March 7 p.m. Evening Song, Suite B Thursdays in March 6:15 p.m. Chime Choir Rehearsal, Suite B 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Suite B Monday, March 10 6:30 p.m. Church Council, Suite B Saturday, March 15 9 a.m. Women’s Prayer Breakfast, Suite B

Calendar...

Save Your Change...

Supporting the church...

Donors 70 ½ or older have a unique opportunity to support Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church. Current law allows you to transfer (or “roll”) up to $100,000 directly from your traditional or Roth IRA and the transfer will not be considered taxable income. These gifts can also reduce your adjusted

gross income, which can create further tax savings. A married couple may both contribute that amount, if both meet the age requirement and both have IRAs. Please see your tax advisor for information.

Its that time of year again! Time to donate your spare change. For the third year, the youth are con-tinuting to support Muluken through Compassion International. He’s from Ethiopia, and he will be six this March. Please bring your change and drop it off in the Muluken jar Sunday at service. Thanks for your support!

Public Service Announcement...

Remember to get all your Hallelujahs out… Lent starts Wednesday! :)