march 2017jwwmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/ctkescanaba/v1/pdfs/201… · · 2017-02-27march 2017 lenten...

The King’s Herald

Christ the King Lutheran Church “Where We Are About God’s Grace For God’s People”

Special points of interest:

Lent Begins With Ash

Wednesday, March 1

Youth to Hold a Rueben

Sandwich Fundraiser

As a Congregation What

Can We Do to Fight

Drugs?

Ad Hoc Committee

Formed to Look at Some

Sanctuary Changes

Pastor’s Corner 2-3

Remembering the

Reformation

3

Youth News 4

Home Bible Study for

Lent

5

Offerings & Attend-

ance

6

Those Who Serve 10

Calendar 11

Inside this issue:

March 2017

Lenten Project Supports World Hunger

Faith Formation students and members of the Parish Life

Committee work together each year on a project for a certain out-

reach cause. We're taking our "quarters for hunger" to a whole

new level. Each congregation in the Northern Great Lakes Synod

is encouraged to bring a decorated cow

to the synod assembly in May along

with change for World Hunger. The

committee has come up with a number

of ways to collect coins while having a

little fun along the way. Our funds

raised from the Soup Suppers, Easter

Breakfast and Buck-A-Chick are all

being designated for this cause. A noisy offering will be taken the

second Sunday of March and April. You will find a milk can on

the office desk where you can deposit your loose change.

We recognize that hunger isn't a problem in far off lands but is

a very real issue in our own community as well. Therefore we are

encouraging your donations of non perishable foods for the local

Salvation Army food pantry. Soon you will see a display in the

narthex designated to receive your donations.

Beginning of Lent Schedule

Can you believe that Lent is here already? As always, Lent be-

gins officially on Ash Wednes-

day, March 1st. Worship with

Holy Communion and Imposi-

tion of the Ashes at 7 PM. Len-

ten Worship and Soup Suppers

begin the following week,

March 8th at 6 PM, and go until

April 5th. Palm Sunday is April

9th and the Easter celebration

is April 16th! Get ready!

The King’s Herald

Joel 2:12-13 – “Yet even now,” declares the

Lord, “return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourn-

ing; and rend your hearts and not your gar-

ments.”

Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious

and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in

steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

Lent is here! Are you ready? There is some-

thing about Lent which we are never truly pre-

pared for no matter what we do during this ho-

ly time of year. This is both the gift and chal-

lenge of the Lenten

season. It is a gift be-

cause Lent is about

simplifying, it’s about

sanctification, it’s

about giving up luxu-

ry and surrendering

more and more to the

Lord. That also is why Lent remains a chal-

lenge for us 21st Century Americans. Giving up

meat on Friday, giving up sweets or chocolate,

giving up Facebook or internet usage for a few

weeks, turning off the television for the next 5

weeks – all things are just fine and good, pro-

vided we remember why we do them: To bring

us closer to God. To bring us nearer to the One

who created us, the One who saves us, the One

who will raise up our dead bodies from the

dust and the ashes to give resurrected life. All

those things to fast from are well and good,

provided we don’t then fill our time and amuse

ourselves with other useless activities. Like

the prophet Joel cries out: “Rend your hearts

and not your garments!” This essentially

means, don’t go through the motions, don’t put

on a pious charade if you aren’t serious about

the Lord. One could go an entire lifetime with-

out meat on Fridays or chocolate or alcohol for

40 days and still be lost eternally.

In an age of constant and consistent distrac-

tion, Lent brings us to think critically about

what our most cherished priorities are to see if

they are in line with God and His will and His

priorities. We can reevaluate any time of year

(or not at any time of year for the hard of

heart), but Lent especial-

ly heightens our con-

sciousness to things of

God. It is no surprise

then that the early

church precisely used

this time of year for their

“new members,” people

ready to be baptized in

God’s name – Father,

+Son, and Holy Spirit.

They were required to

fast, to study, to pray, to rely more and more

on the Lord and the people of God for all

things necessary for daily life.

It is my hope and prayer the Lord will chal-

lenge you this Lenten season to really get back

to the fundamentals of the faith: Worship, Bi-

ble, prayer, Christian fellowship, and so on. It

is my hope and prayer the Lord will bless you

deeply and richly as well as you surrender

more and more to the Lord, as you cling to Je-

sus for life, healing, and salvation. Refocused,

renewed, refreshed by God’s grace, love, and

mercy let us all return to the Lord our God

with all our heart.

Humbly yours in Christ,

Pastor Chris

Pastor’s Corner

The King’s Herald

Spring Delta Conference

Join us for soup, sandwich and sweet treats on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. just before our Len-

ten Worship services which are at 7:00 p.m. Each week we will feature a variety of soups and

sandwiches. The last several years we have offered an outstanding meal worthy of encouraging

those in attendance to make a minimum donation of $3. There isn't a fast food place in town

that can give you as much for your money as we have to offer.

We have a sheet posted on the bulletin board in the narthex where you can sign up to make a

soup. Would you be available to make sandwiches? The church gets all the sandwich fixings

but could use someone to assemble them. Or maybe you might like to provide the sweets. Our

working together to make these suppers so awesome is all good but what is really rewarding is

the good that we do in helping to fight hunger.

Lenten Soup Suppers

The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to learn more

about Martin Luther, his writings, and their impact on Christianity? Do you want to reflect on

the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Stop by our

Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on

the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save

up to 50% plus receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles.

Stop by Christ the King during the weeks of March 19th

through April 2nd to place your order and purchase some

fascinating books on the Reformation for you and your family.

Our Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The

books will include bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer as well as an atlas of the

European Reformations, a graphic novel for young readers, and primary sources from The An-

notated Luther series (more scholarly in focus).

Reformation 500 Bookstore!

Get those lungs warmed up and ready to

sing! For four Wednesdays, Beth Ann will be

leading our choir in practice to sing on Palm

Sunday and Easter (and maybe another time

too!). Choir practice will be on Wednesday

nights at 5:30 PM starting on March 22nd and

go through April 12th. Share the news, invite,

and help us sing a joyful song unto the Lord!

Lent/Easter Choir

Come and join us on Sunday, April 2nd at 4

PM to see what’s been going on in our confer-

ence and synod! We will talk about current and

future ministry ventures including getting

ready for the Bishop election in May and the

UP State Fair in August. The host congrega-

tion is Bethany Lutheran Church in Perkins.

The King’s Herald

+Sunday Confirmation class begins @ 9 AM every weekend

+Summer 2017 Mission Trip Meeting: Sunday, April 9th after worship

Everyone who is going MUST attend!

+Mission Trip Fundraiser – Saturday, March 18th – St. Patrick’s Weekend Reubens!

+Midweek Lenten Dinners and Worship

Dates: Wednesdays, March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, and April 5th

Time: Soup/Sandwich dinners begin officially at 6 PM, worship begins at 7 PM. Confir-

mation Students on prep duty will need to be here around 5:45 PM. The other students

will help out in worship and clean up after dinner in a timely manner.

Faith Formation: Confirmation

Youth Trip – Summer 2017

This summer, July 16th to July 21st, a number of our confirmation students will be going to

the Quad Cities. Four cities in two states form the Quad Cities, located in the heart of the Mid-

west on the Mississippi River. Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, Moline/East Moline and Rock

Island in Illinois, and surrounding towns make up a bustling metropolitan area that maintains

a friendly, small-town feel. The four cities are located right on the Mississippi River at the only

place where the river flows East to West.

As in previous years, our mission trip will be through Youth Works whose purpose is this:

“We exist to connect teenagers to God, each other and communities through life-changing

Christ-centered mission trips.” We’ll be teaming up with them again this summer. Read more

about Youth Works here:

https://www.youthworks.com/about-us/core-purpose-and-values/

Youth Trip Reuben Fundraiser

Come and join us on Saturday March 18th for a St Patrick’s day dinner

that will benefit the youth going to the Quad Cities this July. The dinner

will consist of a Reuben sandwich, French Fries and dessert. Hot dogs

will also be available. The cost of the dinner will be $10. Come and have

a great meal and help out our youth!

https://www.youthworks.com/about-us/core-purpose-and-values/

Our next Senior's Luncheon will be Tuesday, March 14th at 12:00 noon.

The menu will include: Saucy Meatloaf, Bake Potato, California Blend Veg-

etables, Coleslaw, Dessert and a Beverage. The cost is $7. Sign the back of

your worship response card or call the office to make a reservation. Join us

as we gather for good food and good fellowship.

Starting Sunday, March 5th at 7 PM, we will be beginning a discussion around the DVD se-

ries entitled, “He Chose Nails” by Max Lucado. Max Lucado is a preacher with a storyteller’s

gift — a pastor’s heart and a poet’s pen. His message is simple: God

loves you; let him. Each meeting begins with watching 15-20 minute

session on the theme for that day, all of them revolving around why

Jesus chose nails: To win our hearts.

We are most thankful for our hosts: Mike and Julie Smith. Julie

will help facilitate discussion as those gathered dive into why Jesus

chose the nails for us. Their home is 521 South 14th Street, Escanaba.

Space is limited to 6 people, so hurry and sign up before it’s full!

Here’s what will be focused on and when:

March 5th – “He Chose to Be One of Us” March 12th – “He Chose to Forgive Us”

March 19th – “He Chose to Invite us into His Presence”

March 26th – “He Chose to Love us Forever” April 2nd – “He Chose to Give us Victory”

Ad Hoc Committee Meets

Those present at this year’s annual meeting unanimously voted to create an ad hoc commit-

tee with the sole responsibility to look into making some changes in the sanctuary. Next year

we'll celebrate 50 years in our current building and as we all know after that many years it's

time to look at making improvements, do a little updating. The task of this committee will be

to discuss possible improvements, choose samples and submit their plan to the Finance Com-

mittee for funding. A recommendation will then be presented to the church council before be-

ing presented to the congregation for final approval. All who are interested and can be objec-

tive and open minded to change are invited to an initial meeting on Sunday, March 5th imme-

diately following worship.

Lenten Home Study

Senior Luncheon

The King’s Herald

Date 5 P.M. 10:30 Total S.S. Confirmation

February 4/ 5 41 72 113 21 7

February 11/12 60 65 125 12 4

February 18/19 60 77 137 16 8

February 25/26 45 71 116 16 8

Average attendance for February: 123

February 5 $3,798.32

February 12 $2,090.32

February 19 $2,140.82

February 26 $2,339.32

Total Offerings for February $10,368.78

Total Offerings needed for February $13,590.76

Difference: - $3,221.98

YTD Needed: $30,579.21

YTD Received: $32,547.29

Difference: $1,968.08

Loan Balance: $4,935.90

Offerings & Worship Attendance For February

Offerings For February

If you need a convenient way to make recur-

ring contributions, are out of town and would

like to give, missed worship and still want to

give out of the generosity of your heart, we en-

courage you to check out our electronic giving

option. As we get back into the routine of

things, you may find electronic giving a most

welcome routine and an easy way to make con-

tributions.

To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit

us online at www.ctk-escanaba.org and locate

the Online Giving button on the right side of

the webpage. Or if it's easier, complete a paper

authorization form and return it to the church

office.

Thank you for your generosity and support

of God’s work through Christ the King!

Thankfulness: An Online Oppor-tunity to Give

March 5—1st Sunday in Lent

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Ps. 32; Romans

5::12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

March 12—2nd Sunday in Lent

Genesis 12:1-4a; Ps. 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-

17; John 3:1-17

March 19—3rd Sunday in Lent

Exodus 17:1-7; Ps. 95; Romans 5:1-11; John

4:5-42

March 26—4th Sunday in Lent

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ps. 23; Ephesians 5:8-14;

John 9:1-41

Readings for March

The King’s Herald

Thursday Theology – 2016/2017 Focus: C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christi-anity

C.S. Lewis, the Irish born professor of Mediaeval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge

University, has inspired millions of people over the past 7 decades. God used Lewis’ intellect

and writing ability powerfully his books. Over the next 3 months, we’ll continue focusing on

his most famous book, Mere Christianity, a book dedicated to focus on and

logically explain the essentials of the Christian faith. The book is based on

a series of radio broadcasts he had given during World War II. We’ll be

meeting at 11:30 AM the following Thursdays:

March 9th – Book Three, Chapters 9-12: “Charity,” “Hope,” and “Faith”

March 23rd – Book Four, Chapters 1-3: “Making and Begetting,” “The

Three-Personal God,” and “Time and Beyond Time”

This year we continue focusing on the challenging prophetic Scriptures. We hear warnings

of judgment and punishment; we hear promises of healing, restoration, and salvation. We

hear the call to care for the poor, the orphan, the widow, the alien; we hear the call from God

through the prophets that shakes religious complacency and indifference. Be challenged by

these ancient words and their relevance for today. Here’s what we’ll be focusing on and when

over the next few weeks:

March 8th – Joel “A Warning of Judgment”

March 15th – Obadiah “A Nation Judged for Mistreating God’s People”

March 22nd – Jonah “God’s Unimaginable Grace and Mercy”

March 29th – Micah 1-4 “Judgment Upon the Nations”

April 5th – Micah 5-7 “Leaders and People on Trial”

2017 Prophetic Books Bible Study

Buck-A-Chick

They're BAAAACK! Last year we chose to do

something different other than the chicks and

realized that it didn't

go over so well. So

we're bringing the

chicks back. For $1

you can purchase and

decorate a chick. Re-

turn your artwork to

the office and we will

hang it up along with

all the others. Stop by the office and pick one

up.

Eligible benefit members of Thrivent Finan-

cial for Lutherans have until March 31, 2017

to direct Choice Dollars from 2016. After that

date the unused Choice Dollars expire.

Choice Dollars can be directed among thou-

sand of 501 c nonprofit organizations includ-

ing Christ the King. You may easily take care

of this by going on-line, making a phone call

to Thrivent or calling the local office for their

assistance. Act soon, before these free monies

expire. If you would like to stop by the

church office we can also assist you with this.

Thrivent Choice Dollars

The King’s Herald

On Tuesday, February 21st, I (Pastor) went to a drug conference held at the MTEC building

at Bay College. Here are some staggering statistics that you may (or may not) know about drugs

in Michigan and the UP:

68% Increase in heroin use since 2003

THC (found in marijuana) is the most abused drug in Michigan. With medical marijuana be-

coming more easily attainable and with restrictions on recreational use softening, an epi-

demic could be (or is already) brewing.

Prescription drug abuse remains a huge issue

Physical violence and drug/alcohol abuse are tightly con-

nected issues

Methadone drug arrests have gone up and because of the

police’s focus on this drug de jour, cocaine and

“crystal meth” use has been on the rise

Marquette General led the state in admitting drug af-

fected mothers and delivering drug affected babies

(340 in 2015)

Five babies a month spend at least 17 days in the neonatal ICU at Marquette General

About 1/3 of the babies born at OSF are affected by drugs

The statistics are staggering. What as a church can we do? Here were some things asked of

the churches in Escanaba:

Programs for families affected by drug abuse are few and far between

Housing for people recovering remains an issue

Providing a safe, forgiving community (read: CHURCH!) is essential for men/women recover-

ing from drug abuse

What can we do at Christ the King? What can you do to help bring freedom – in Christ’s

name – to those afflicted with addiction? Let’s talk about this and get serious about making a

difference with this huge problem in our neighborhoods.

How the Church Can Make a Difference: The Drug Problem in Escanaba

Lay School for Mission

One of the great gift and treasures of our synod is the Lay School for Mission. It's been up

and running for over 20 years now and continues to support, challenge, and grow the faith in

the people of God who participate. This year Christ the King will have three graduates from

this 2 1/2 year program: Mary Jo Johnson, Lance Lindstrom, and Lisa Temple. Be sure to con-

gratulate them on such a wonderful accomplishment! If you would like a little dose of Lay

School, be sure to drop by Tuesdays, anytime from 5:15-9:15 PM. On Saturday, April 1st at 10

AM there will be a live-streamed class devoted to Synod Polity taught by Bishop Skrenes. Give

Lay School a try!

The King’s Herald

March 2: Lindsey Olson

March 3: Bill Gartland

March 4: Justin Cobb, John Hendrickson

March 5: Tanner McDonald

March 7: Beth Jacobson

March 8: Pat Wendrick

March 11: Rob Jensen

March 12: Tucker McDonald

March 13: Jodi Joncas, Jared Murray

March 14: Joey Kutzera

March 15: Kevin Boudreau

March 16: Krissa Gafner, LeRoy Sovey

March 17: Harold Strasler

March 19: Marlene Raedar

March 22: Tim McDonald

March 23: Matt Adams, Judy LaCasse, Leigh Schmidt

March 24: Vivian Frossard

March 26: Bella Lindstrom

March 28: Meagan Johnsen, Dutch Solis, Bob VanEffen

March 29: Geri Jo Berthaume

March 31: Mary Hovey, Corey Kang, Pete Schlenvogt, Shirley Smith

Let Us Pray For those Celebrating Birthdays On:

If you are at any of our Sunday morning prayer requests, you are more than likely going to

be praying for a furry critter. With this in mind, we chose to help out the Delta Animal Shel-

ter as our February service project. All of the Sunday School offerings for February will be do-

nated to the shelter and a needs list was distributed for those who wish to donate specific shel-

ter needs. We will continue to collect the items for the first two Sundays in March. Thank you

for your generosity!

As we enter the month of March we will also be entering into Lent. It has become a tradi-

tion tor Faith Formation to team up with Parish Life and come up with a fun and faith filled

Lenten fundraiser. This year our monies will go to ELCA World hunger and the local Salva-

tion Army. We will again host our Buck a Chick fundraiser so get your dollars ready! Be on

the lookout for other exciting events in the upcoming weeks.

A big THANK YOU to Corey Kang who has so graciously volunteered to step into Roland’s

shoes and lead our fourth and fifth graders. I have heard great reports from the kids – so glad

to have you on board Corey!

Please continue to keep our Faith Formation in your prayers – we are doing great work!!

Faith Formation News

Readers

March 4/ 5— 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom

March 11/12— 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Lisa Temple

March 18/19— 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom

March 25/26—5:00 Dawn Martin 10:30 Carrie Boudreau

Acolytes

March 4/ 5— 5:00 Isaac Berthaume 10:30 Elizabeth Brandel

March 11/12— 5:00 Ashton Moran 10:30 Brett Schlenvogt

March 18/19— 5:00 Mackenzie Jensen 10:30 Camree Bonifas

March 25/26—5:00 Ella Johnson 10:30 Caydence Carter

Altar Guild

March 4/ 5— Laverne Picard & Connie Schmidt

March 11/12— Julie Smith & Marlene & Tom Raeder

March 18/19— Sandy Jacobson & Judy Anderson

March 25/26—Mary Jo Johnson & Beth Jacobson

Assisting Minister


March 11/12— 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Julie Smith

March 18/19— 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom

March 25/26—5:00 Nancy Norberg 10:30 Connie Schmidt

Communion Assistants


March 11/12— 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Mike & Julie Smith

March 18/19—5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom

March 25/26—5:00 Nancy Norberg 10:30 Leigh & Connie Schmidt

Those Who Serve

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

9:00 Quilting

7:00 Ash Wednesday

Communion Service

2

10:00 Coffee with the

Staff

11:00 Property Mtg.

3

3:00 Funeral for

Patricia Picard

4

5:00 Communion

Service

5

9:00 Faith Formation

9:30 Coffee Hour

10:30 Communion

Service

11:45 Ad Hoc

Committee Mtg.

7:00 Home Group

6 7

1:00 Joy Book Club

5:15 Lay School

7:30 Dartball

8

9:00 Quilting

9:30 Bible Study

6:00 Soup Supper

7:00 Lenten Worship

9


Staff

11:30 Thursday

Theology

10 11

5:00 Communion

Service

12


9:30 Coffee Hour

9:30 Finance Mtg.

10:30 Communion

Service

12:00 Executive

Committee Mtg.

7:00 Home Group @

Smiths

13

10:00 Worship &

Music Committee Mtg.

14

12:00 Sr. Luncheon

1:00 Joy Book Club

5:15 Lay School

7:30 Dartball

15

9:00 Quilting

9:30 Bible Study

6:00 Soup Supper

7:00 Lenten Worship

16


Staff

6:15 Church Council

Mtg.

17 18

5:00 Communion

Service

6:00 Reuben Mission

Trip Fundraiser

19


9:30 Coffee Hour

10:30 Communion

Service

7:00 Home Group @

Smiths

20 21

1:00 Joy Book Club

5:15 Lay School

7:30 Dartball

22

9:00 Quilting

9:30 Bible Study

6:00 Soup Supper

7:00 Lenten Worship

23


Staff

11:30 Thursday

Theology

24 25

5:00 Communion

Service

26


9:30 Coffee Hour

10:30 Communion

Service

7:00 Home Group @

Smiths

27 28

1:00 Joy Book Club

5:15 Lay School

7:30 Dartball

29

9:00 Quilting

9:30 Bible Study

6:00 Soup Supper

7:00 Lenten Worship

30


Staff

31

March 2017

1230 North 18th Street

Escanaba, Michigan 49829

CHURCH OFFICE ………………………..…………………………………..…………….…786-7400

PASTOR

Rev. Chris Johnson…………………………………………………………………………….786-7988

e-mail address: [email protected]

CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Arlene Cody………………………………………………………………………….………....786-5949

e-mail address: [email protected] Website: www.ctk-escanaba.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULE:

Saturday—5:00 p.m. Worship

Sunday— 9:00 a.m. Youth Faith Formation; 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour; 10:30 Worship

Holy Communion is celebrated at every Saturday and Sunday service. At the 10:30 a.m.

service communion will be distributed using continuous communion.

Address Service Requested

Phone: (906) 786-7400

E-mail: [email protected]

KING’S HERALD March 2017

We’re on the Web!

www.ctk-escanaba.org

Non Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Bulk Permit No. 179

Escanaba, Michigan

This issue of the King’s

Herald is given in loving

memory of Eric Mattson

by Mike & Julie Smith

Christ the King

Lutheran Church

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