100 Lochmere Drive West Cary, North Carolina 27518

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke, Senior Pastor

Worship Saturday at 6:00 pm

Sunday at 8:00 am, 10:30 am 10:45 am (praise)

Christian Education Sunday at 9:15 am

www.RLCary.org Office@RLCary.org

919-851-7248

Resurrection Lutheran School: 919-851-7271 Resurrection Lutheran Preschool: 919-851-7270

Join us for Wednesday Night Vespers during Lent as we explore some of the most familiar teachings

of Jesus from his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and relate them to the events

surrounding Christ’s life, death and resurrection!

Wednesdays, 6:10 pm in the Sanctuary

Monthly Newsletter of Resurrection Lutheran Church

Am I Really Good Enough? (Genesis 12:1–9; Romans 4:1-8)

March is the month that the season of Lent really starts to get underway. (For an introduction to the season we call Lent, see this video produced by Concordia Publishing House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkqHQGdPwMo) Though any day in the life of a Christian is a time to reflect on God’s abundant mercy to us in Christ Jesus, Lent is a special time to relive how Jesus suffered and died for us to save us from our sins. It’s that time of year that some may choose to give up chocolate or social media for 40 days…the time of year that we bury our Alleluia’s until Easter Sunday. Around here, March is also the time Early Communion classes (“Welcome to the Lord’s Table”) get underway and the 8th graders of our congregation begin presenting their faith statements. No one has said as much out loud to this Senior Pastor (smile), but I can’t help wondering if there might be a little bit of that “am I good enough for all of this?” going around. If so, take heart.

Look ahead at the appointed readings for Lent 2: Genesis 12:1-9 and Romans 4:1-8. At first glance, you might think that when God took the important first step of building a nation through whom all the world would enter His blessing, He might have chosen someone from the right family, someone likely to produce a bumper-crop of children, grand-children and future citizens of God’s kingdom. But you’d be wrong. God chose Abraham (aka “Abram”). Abram was the son of an idol-worshipper (Joshua 24:2), a senior citizen (Genesis 12:4), and, together with wife Sarai, childless (Genesis 11:29). Hardly the sort any of us would expect! But that’s the point. There might have been more than one reason why God “shouldn’t” have chosen Abram and Sarai…yet choose them He did. The result? Their calling to faithfulness ultimately did not rest in themselves. It was God’s doing. Read the summary of Abraham’s life in the book of Joshua. The subject of the story is not Abraham at all, but God: “I took your father Abraham…and led him through all the land of Canaan…I gave him Isaac,” etc.

I mention all of this because, journeying through Lent together, it is easy to put the cart before the horse and think that Abraham’s/our performance drives the buggy. It doesn’t. Like Abraham we receive the promise that life begins with GOD…and results in GOD’s blessing for all the world (Genesis 12:3; John 3:16). That’s not to say that God can’t or won’t accomplish great things with us. God might indeed use us to accomplish some amazing, neat stuff along the way. But it is by faith in God’s promise, not by our performance, that we are given to live out our calling as God’s people. We are freed from the need to produce the perfect resume. We’ve already got the job. We live—and allow others to live—not as people with something to prove, but as people who have been proven capable, for Christ’s sake. We are freed from the burden of having to give up something for Lent and invited instead into the joy of giving up something so that we might appreciate it (and the One who gives it!) even more.

Are we good enough for all of this? Of course not. Neither were Abram or Sarai. But God has started something in us that He will bring to completion. As we walk the road to the cross again in this season of Lent, we look to the only One whose obedience truly was enough: Jesus. As people who are given to live in and with the crucified and risen Christ, we are good enough! The cross of Jesus is our strength! Pastor Jonathan

Page 3 March 2020

Holy Week Observances and Easter Sunday Celebration

Palm Sunday

Saturday, April 4 6:00 pm Worship with Holy Communion in Sanctuary

Sunday, April 5 8:00, 10:30 am Sanctuary Festival Worship with Holy Communion

Led by Sanctuary Choir, Children’s Choir, Heavenly Handbells, and Brass Ensemble

10:45 am Praise and Worship with Holy Communion, Led by Reign! in Family Life Center

Maundy Thursday in Sanctuary ~ Thursday, April 9

4:00 pm Worship with Holy Communion

7:00 pm Worship with Holy Communion (First Communion for 5th grade Students) Musical Offerings by Jubilee Bells, Sonshine Singers, and Ringers of Glory

Good Friday in Sanctuary ~ Friday, April 10

12:00 pm Worship (Preceded and Followed by a Soup and Salad Lunch) Musical Offerings by Cantus Christe Quartet

7:00 pm Tenebrae Service - The Passion Portion (Part 2) of The Messiah by G. F. Handel Led by Sanctuary Choir, Soloists, and Chamber Orchestra

Easter Sunday ~ April 12

(No Saturday Service)

6:30 am Sunrise Service Begins in Prayer Garden, Processes to Sanctuary Led by Celebration Singers

8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am Sanctuary Easter Festival Worship with Holy Communion

Music Led by Sanctuary Choir, Heavenly Handbells, and Brass Ensemble

10:45 am Praise and Worship with Holy Communion, Led by Reign! in Family Life Center

Page 4 March 2020

7th Annual Men's Retreat and Service Day

Join us for a must attend weekend of fellowship, faith building, and service! We kick off Friday, March 20 around 6:00 pm with a cookout potluck and wrap up Sunday mid-day, March 22. This year's topic is "Scriptural Conversation and Defense".

We are excited to announce Pastor Jon Richter will lead our program this year. There are four sessions over the three days. Don’t miss our famous Friday night cookout/potluck/fellowship! We will spend the bulk of Saturday working on various service projects at Camp Agape, weather permitting. The projects will range in skill and fun.

We have sleep capacity up to 24 at the lodge. The expected cost is $75 for two nights, including food. Prior participants indicate the weekend was well spent. Ideally, we want you to be there for the entire weekend, but we are flexible. If your schedule is impossible, you can come for the Friday fellowship, you can come for the service projects, or you can come for Saturday only. You can even drive back and forth each night vs. staying in the lodge.

Time to RSVP! Please do so through the RCB invitation.

Contact Tom Gebbia through RCB or the church office (office@rlcary.org, 919-851-7248) with any questions or if you plan to not attend the entire event.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

We had a record number of people turn out to eat this year, 165! We also raised a record amount - $1,107 for Appalachia Service Project (ASP). We served 50 lbs. of ham, 45 lbs. of sausage, 30 lbs. of pancake mix and ran out. Great evening of good food and fellowship!

Thank you so much to the middle schoolers for their great service and rolling with the unexpected number of people. Thank you to the 30 people that helped set up, cook, and clean up!

- Kim Simpson, Fellowship Committee

RLC Women’s Ministries

Springtime Dinner

All women of RLC are invited to join us for fellowship and dinner at O'Charley's Restaurant on Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 pm. O'Charley's located at Tryon Road and Ashville Avenue is next to WakeMed Cary Hospital.

Please RSVP to Carol Bostick at RLWomen@rlcary.org by Monday, March 16. Spring Luncheon

Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Saturday, May 16 in the Fellowship Hall for lunch prepared by Chef Kim. We will also be doing a service project for the USO in honor of Armed Forces Day. Registration details will be published in April through weekly announcements, your church mailbox, and RCB email.

Women’s Appreciation Breakfast

Saturday, May 9 at 9:00 am

Fellowship Hall

RSVP will be requested closer to date.

Hosted by Men’s Ministry.

Page 5 March 2020

“Our Light” – Congregational Highlights

Each month we seek to capture many of the highlights in our church, especially noting how we serve each other and our community.

1. Many members continue to contribute “behind the scenes” to our overall worship experience. In addition to our choir and musicians, there are those who drive the bus, care for the Altar, run the sound system, and during services our readers, ushers, and worship assistants.

2. Our Endowment Committee published a recent fund update, noting the growth of our Endowment Funds. Thanks to those on the committee for working with the Council in establishing some additional investment ideas.

3. Each year, our Confirmation Teachers lead classes to help our students better understand and develop their individual faith.

4. What fun was the Chili and Soup event? All the contributions were great and enjoyed by all those who attended. Special thanks to our Senior and Middle School leaders for putting this on.

5. Thanks for all the dedication and hard work Chef Kim does in making our Wednesday Night dinners and special events so delightful.

6. RLC supports two special ministries – The Blind Ministry and The Coffeehouse. It takes a lot of volunteer support to make these program run efficiently. The Blind Ministry meets monthly at RLC and supports the blind community in our area. Please contact Annette Langefeld-Kennedy to learn how you can support this ministry, especially with the critical need for drivers. The Coffeehouse also meets monthly at RLC and at several locations, too. Their mission is focused on supporting disabled individuals. Please contact Brenda Peterson to learn how you can help.

7. Thank you for the member who contributed to help us purchase needed storage in the form of sheds. This will help alleviate some space issues.

8. The Church Security Team has gained additional volunteers this month and new volunteers are welcome. For more information, please contact Margaret Hyatt at margaret.hyatt@rlcary.org.

9. Thanks to Teresa Gresham for stepping up to lead our Service Change Focus Group, which will begin meeting in March. If you are interested in being a part of this group, please contact Bob Shimmel at bbshimmel@yahoo.com.

10. Thanks to Pastor Jon for leading our Tuesday Morning Bible Study. 11. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper was record breaking in number of attendees and money raised for the Appalachia Service Project (ASP)! Thank you to all who attended and the volunteers who helped set up, cook, and clean up. Special thanks to the middle schoolers for their service.

Please feel free to let Pastor Jonathan or Bob Shimmel know of any activity or person who continues to Shine Their Light at RLC.

Page 6 March 2020

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a national organization whose sole mission is to build beds for kids who do not have beds to sleep in. Last year during SHP's Bunks Across America build, RLC partnered with SHP's newly-established Durham Chapter, to build, deliver and assemble 24 beds for children in the Raleigh/Durham area whose families did not have the means to provide a bed for them. Not only did children in our area receive a bed (often their first!), but they also received a mattress, linens, pillow, a beautifully handcrafted quilt created by our RLC Quilters, and a “sweet dreams” bag created by our youth containing age-appropriate goodies such as books, stuffed animals and other items.

SHP's Durham Chapter currently has more than 300+ requests for beds! Not having a bed to sleep in is just not something many of us think about, but the need is great - across America and right here in our backyard. RLC will partner with SHP Durham once again on June 20, 2020 for a Bunk Build to provide even more children with a bed of their very own thus allowing them to achieve much needed restorative sleep.

Your support today will help us purchase the raw materials for the bunks and bed linens!

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE | www.shpbeds.org/chapter/nc-durham

Page 7 March 2020

Vicar Alan’s Coaching Corner

During this season of Lent, we take time to reflect on our lives and note when we can answer Jesus as he calls us to repent. So for this month’s coaching article, I would like to take a look at the power of words and how they are used forgiveness.

There is a difference in our words and God’s words. Simply put, we force air through our throat and our mouth and tongue shape words that vibrate over air until they reach the receivers ears. But there is a big difference in God’s words. When God speaks, we see action.

God spoke and the light was separated from the darkness. God spoke and the earth was formed. God spoke and trees, animals and plants came into existence. Jesus spoke and the Roman centurion‘s son was healed at that very moment. God’s words result in something happening. As we examine our lives and find those times we repent to God, His reply is not just an answer, it is an action. It is done.

While our words may not be able to physically create something out of nothing, we are not completely off the hook. James talks about how small the tongue is as compared to the rest of the body and yet how much damage it can do as it shapes the words that come from our mouth. We have the power to destroy. But we also have the power to encourage, lift up and love.

So as we continue through Lent, I would encourage you to not only reflect on the areas of your life that may need God‘s forgiveness, but to also ask yourselves these questions: Who is in my life that needs to hear my word of forgiveness? Who have I hurt with my tongue or my actions that I need to seek their forgiveness? What am I willing to do as a next step in healing a broken relationship? How can I affect positive change in my family, friends and neighbors? How will I use my words to empower and strengthen others?

If you are a man reading this, I pray that you also consider joining Pastor Richter and some of the other men of RLC for the Men’s Retreat at Camp Agape on March 20-22. It will be a time of fellowship, service, and learning how our words can help bring others to the action words of God‘s forgiveness. You are welcome for any portion of the weekend, if you have other time commitments. I will be leaving early myself so I can join the congregational forum discussion that weekend. Reach out to Tom Gebbia with questions or RSVP timelines.

If you’re interested in exploring what coaching can do for you, reach out to me at alan.shaw@rlcary.org.

Page 8 March 2020

Dear Friends and Family at RLC,

Greetings in Christ from Jinja, Uganda! Mark and I pray you are all well. Thank you so much for continuing to partner together with us to do the Lord’s work in Uganda! We’re grateful to be your missionaries. We’re very appreciative, as are our brothers and sisters in Christ in Uganda. Your ongoing gifts goes directly to the work alongside the Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU) and allows us to serve in our roles of project management and teaching at the Lutheran Theological College Uganda (LTCU).

This past February, a new semester started. At the end of this semester, we will have our first graduating class from the LTCU! How awesome is that? God is so good! Mark continues to work on projects concerning financial sustainability at the seminary. Mark has also worked alongside the church in the process for completing the seminary chapel/multi-purpose building through LCMS and Mission Central. The LCU will use this building for seminary, church, and outreach purposes. I am teaching 6 classes this semester at the seminary in Christian education and counseling. I value the time with the Year 1, Year 2, and Year 4 students. (Year 3 students are currently out on vicarage this year.) This month I have two new courses, Introduction to Psychology and Conflict Management, which will further assist the students in their congregations where they will serve as pastors. We have a great love for the students, the LCU, and the work we get to do alongside them.

We thank the Lord for these opportunities to serve and are grateful to you for continuing to walk alongside us as we serve. Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, and generosity. It is a privilege being your missionaries! We’re very thankful for everyone at Resurrection!

God’s grace and peace be with you.

Your missionaries, Megan and Mark Mantey

Megan Teaching a Year 2 Class

The Completed Roof of the Seminary Chapel and Multi-Purpose Building

Page 9 March 2020

Student Ministry RECRUITING ADULT LEADERS

Do you love building new relationships with God’s children?

Ever consider building those relationships with RLC’s High School Youth?

Did you know that in Breakaway (High School Youth Group) we focus on building relationships—with each other, with our church, with our community, and most importantly with our Creator?

Matthew 18:20 reassures us that, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” According to a 2018 LCMS blog, a group of young adults surveyed found that the greatest spiritual influences and reasons for staying with their churches were their parents and church mentors, i.e. pastors, youth leaders, church community members. (Relationships, Not Programs: Youth Ministry Research on Young Adults 2018, blogs.lcms.org/2018)

Here’s what makes a great Adult Leader:

• A calling to walk along High School students, be open to building relationships, and being a part of their faith story.

• Age makes no difference, nor does being a parent of a youth! Anyone 21 and older that is willing to have a background check.

• Willingness to share your own faith story and be open to all that God can make possible through that sharing!

• Make some time on Sundays from 9:15-10:15 am for Sunday School or 6:30-8:30 pm for Breakaway/ Youth Group. Not every week, but consistently enough to build strong trusting relationships.

I have heard before that working with youth can be “scary”, “not for the weak of heart”, “challenging”, and yes it can be all of those things BUT the rewards are so GREAT! I used to say those same things, now I know that God has a plan so much bigger than my own fears and worries. And I trust that He will flourish this program through the relationships created in His name!

Still not sure? The cost is free. The time is little. The difference is HUGE!

Contact me, if you would like to come along for the ride!

Ms. Jenny, High School Youth Director jenny.piontek@rlcary.org

Breakaway’s Winter Event was a huge success!

We had lots of fun enjoying

God’s beautiful mountains and SNOW!

God is good always!

Page 10 March 2020

The Scriptures Teach Joy

In A Little Book on Joy (St. Louis: CPH, 2001), LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison wrote, “Genesis to Revelation... it was all gift and joy over the gifts.” The Scriptures teach both Law and Gospel, with the focus on what God has done to save this fallen world. Sin is real, and God still has wrath against sin. The overall thrust of the Bible is God’s action to save mankind from sin and death. He accomplished this through His Son. And for this, we rejoice in God’s gift of love and salvation.

You’re Invited on March 6 to Families Together Selected Beneficiary of Community Gala! Band Together and Merrimon-Wynne selected Families Together after a rigorous application process to be beneficiary of a special event to raise critical funds for our Affordable Housing initiative. Local businesses and groups with concern for our community are joining together for An Evening to Ignite on March 6 at the historic and elegant Merrimon-Wynne House. Truly unique opportunity in that Families Together will spend $0 and because all of the event costs are being donated by local businesses, 100% of the proceeds go directly to Families Together to help create 41 new affordable units for families experiencing homelessness. The goal is to raise $100,000 in one night. We hope you'll join us! Learn More: www.merrimonwynne.com/2020-evening-to-ignite

Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-to-ignite-2020-benefitting-families-together-tickets-88725561543

Annual Impact Report For highlights of the impact you're making through your generous support of Families Together as a member church, donor, volunteer, connector, corporate partner, or member of a leadership circle, check out our latest Annual Report. static1.squarespace.com/static/5991b1da49fc2b4c4ff18e47/t/5e45a6946dd9df779904c797/1581622934586/FT_2019_annrprt_forweb.pdf

Families Together In The News! Families Together, along with families that have graduated from our program, have spoken out a great deal about the growing affordable housing crisis and the 225% increase in the number of children living in motels in a 3-year period. It's great to see more coverage of these critical issues that impact all of us. Here are a few recent articles featuring Families Together and courageous family members who were willing to share their personal stories publicly:

"A Home Truth" in Raleigh Magazine: raleighmag.com/2020/02/home-truth/?blm_aid=28131

"N&O Investigation Prompts Raleigh Mayor to Help Families Leave High-Crime Motels" in News & Observer: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article240105453.html

"Nearly Half of Wake County Residents Are Paying Too Much for Housing" in United Way of Greater Triangle Report: unitedwaytriangle.org/wake-county-house-burden/?blm_aid=28131

40 YEARS TOGETHER Thank you for 40 years of Community Compassion and Life-Changing Impact! We could not accomplish our mission to move families from homelessness to home without you!

Page 11 March 2020

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE is the 20th of each month.

Please send submissions to Susan.Moore@RLCary.org.

3 Bill and Karen Keiper

5 Ed and Ginny Koren – 55 years

8 Alberto and Tammi Baldisserotto

10 Gary and Lynne Stevenson – 30 years

14 Phil and Susan Richard

17 Mike and Kathy Evans

18 Paul and Pat Smith – 40 years

21 Harold and Wilma Almquist

23 David and Lea Webb

24 Garry and Kristi Grabow – 30 years

26 Jeff and Bethany Jones

27 Ron and Carol Bostick Nelson and Rebecca Kuo

28 Lou and Elaine Caltrider *Names and dates are taken from our computer software, “Shepherd’s Staff”. Please notify the church office of omissions and changes. Thank you!

Gifts and Memorials The following gifts have been received by RLC: For the Blind Ministry: Patricia Schetzina

For The Coffeehouse: In Memory of Paula Boehm Grant and Brenda Peterson Paul and Trudi Krasner Keith and Dawn Leister

For the Love Fund: In Memory of Jackie Paasch (Deb Gebbia’s Mother)

The Bibles and Christian books you put in the Christian Library container under the coat rack near the mail-boxes REALLY make a difference in the lives of prison inmates. In 2019, this locally founded ministry sent 160,366 books and Bibles to 1,600 prisons and youth detention centers. All the materials were donated by folks like you and a few Christian publishers. For eleven years, we (my husband Gar and I) have been privileged to sort donations and decide on the most relevant and acceptable. Some we reject are sold to provide funds for shipping. Postage to send boxes is a big expense (about $15 per box), so monetary donations are welcomed.

Last year 9,420 inmates wrote to let CLI know their appreciation and 2,340 made decisions for Christ. Here is one response:

My name is Ryan, and I am currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for crimes that stem from addiction. I started using when I was 17 and by 20 I was classified as a habitual-felony violent offender. I was never close to God. Recently, I had a spiritual breakthrough because of a Bible I received from CLI. I am growing closer to God through Jesus than I ever thought was possible. It is amazing to feel that even in prison, I am not alone. Christ has broken my chains of addiction. Knowing God has forgiven my sins, no matter how horrible, is a great relief. Now that I have committed my life to Jesus, I have found things I could never have found in drugs: love, joy, peace, and acceptance. Your ministry is doing amazing things in the prison system. I am a testimony of that.

Contact Ann Johnson in person or through RCB with questions, and look for news on other good things CLI does in future newsletters.

Page 12 March 2020

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www.instagram.com/ResurrectionLutheranCary

Learn more about Resurrection Lutheran Church at

www.RLCary.org

1 Alex Beyer Anna Ferro Zachary Ferro Landon Petz

2 Samantha Boyd Jacob Durnbaugh Eric Schuller Lily Upton

3 Shaelyn Kerns

4 Adam Brake Terry Page

6 Jan Boyer Douglas Durnbaugh Meta Linde Michael Lubak Corbin Oliver

7 Jim Rhodes

8 Allison Hoffmeister Lynne Stevenson Mindy Tomasevich

9 Aiden Bostian Glenn Hagedorn Susan LaMantia

10 Parker Logsdon Matthew Marting Elizabeth Suskin Tommy Thomas

11 Barry Gardner Savannah Hayes Barbara Laskey Kay Tharp Cindy Veit

12 Larry Carlson Gary Stevenson Paul Wozniak

13 Kimberly Barton Don Sonstroem

14 Pam Dickson Lori Durnbaugh Jenny Piontek

15 Sherry Buser Chuck Heard Lauren Noreen

16 Don Martin Bill Robison Bradley Saacks

17 Liana Dienes Logan Dienes Jamie Measmer Carol Mitchell Ray Roberts Jackson Stow

18 Jeff Hancock Allison Heard Austin Johnson Eydee Persson Paul Smith

19 John Clark Stephanie Ford Jennifer Grimes Paul Niffenegger Emma Persson Wendy Zei

20 Brooke Cecco Hanna Fida Katharina Smith David Thomas

21 Jeff Ashmore Mike Chiaramonte Cliff Hofman Melainey Unger Sally Zimmerman

22 Lisa Duke Mike Evans Eric Hammergren Lisa Snyder

23 Bill Douglas Erika Hulse Dennis Merrill Jack Minier Jeff Watson

24 Danielle Altieri Matthew Hooper Anne Marie Measmer Nancy Randolph Abby Sottini

25 Tammi Baldisserotto Toriah Bostian Gary Ferro Siifan Hirpa

26 Tom Campau Rosie Creasy John Illsely Maureen Latz Matt Williams

27 Marie Taylor

28 Shelby Hayes Annette Langefeld-Kennedy Molly Trautman

29 Gayla Bonke Ethan Kuo Darlene Sekel

30 Alice Cassimatis Lucas Saacks Bonnie Wolfe

31 Alex Harrell Kathryn Vollmer

*Names and dates are taken from our computer software, “Shepherd’s Staff”. Please notify the church office of omissions and changes. Thank you!