Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
March finds us in the heart of the Lenten season. Dr. Walter Sundberg, retired Luther Seminary professor, had a basic definition of worship which seems so appropriate to the meaning of Lent. He writes in his book Worship as Repentance: Lutheran Liturgical Tradition and Catholic Consensus (Eerdmans, 2012):
“To call Christians to repentance; to warn them to be under no illusion as to who they are and how far they fall short when they stand before God and holy things; to teach them to worship God in humility; to feed them the Bread of Life; to make them ready to give testimony to Christ in word and deed” (p. 144).
Dr. Sundberg continues: “It is very hard to face up to the ugliness of the true self, to take the journey that Luther took into the dark night of the soul. This culture, including the culture of the academy, resists it. But if we take the journey or God forces us to take the journey, we may find that we are able to hear the gospel in the ideal form that the confessions claim is possible – the gospel ‘purely preached,’ telling us that God is not done with us yet – ‘Father, forgive them,’ says Jesus, ‘for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34)” (p. 170). The point of repentance is not to remain downtrodden in the gloom of our sin but to be prepared to hear and receive the gospel, as if for the first time.
The Bible lessons that are chosen for the Lenten season do a spectacular job of assisting the people of God to repent and so hear the Gospel in its “ideal form.” This begins with our Gospel lesson for Ash Wednesday from Matthew 6. Here Jesus begins his instructions to his followers with the word “Beware.” When we only “practice” our devoutness before others, the piety is about us, a show we put on for others. Jesus’ warning draws us back to praying and fasting and other penitential acts as something between God and ourselves. These things turn us toward God, prayerfully making space for God to do something in us, knowing that God is not done with us yet. We cannot know what treasure in heaven looks like until we release our treasure to God and see what God does with it.
Dr. Sundberg makes the statement “But if we take the journey or God forces us to take the journey.” Our Gospel lesson for the First Sunday in Lent tells the story of the Holy Spirit forcing Jesus into the wilderness, into a journey of temptation and testing.
We talk about Lent as a journey to the cross. Whether we initiate the journey, or God has to force us to take the journey, it will lead us to the same place. A place where we find ourselves on our knees at the cross.
At our recent lock-in, each of our youth, and me, as well, had the opportunity to kneel before the cross. There we each told God in the silence of that holy moment how we wanted to be more faithful to God. I hope that each of you will do the same on your journey to the cross.
Love In Christ,
Pastor Mark
Lenten Worship Schedule
Sundays in March
- 8:30 a.m. Confirmation Classes in parsonage
- 8:30 a.m. Prayer Time in the library
- 9:00 a.m. Sunday School in basement
- 9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School in Parish Hall, electric rm.
- 9:00 a.m. Choir rehearsal
- 10:00 a.m. Worship
Wednesdays in March
- 6:00 p.m. Lent Meal at parish hall served by Luther League
- 6:45 p.m. Evening Prayer (Vespers) service out of Lutheran Book of Worship
- 7:30 p.m. Lifetree Café
Congregation Council and Church Finance Notes
The Council met on Thursday, February 19, 2015. Meeting minutes are posted in the church narthex bulletin board when they become available. Council minutes are also available in the church office. The next regular Council meeting will be Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Financial Report
2015 General Fund Activity (as of February 22)
Gifts $34,949.67
Ministry Expenses $25,840.18
Mission Support Submitted $2,541.12
Net Income $6,568.37
Lifetree Café
We’re launching a ministry where people will identify us by our love as we fulfill our God-given mission. That ministry is called Lifetree Café, where people come together for an hour to learn and talk about a different, interesting topic each week. We get the chance to meet and listen to members of our community, to connect with people we might not meet anywhere else, and to reflect the light of Christ as we share stories from our lives. Each hour provides a way for the conversation to turn toward God, no matter what the topic is.
Each Lifetree episode features a true story of someone dealing with a real situation. That story is presented in an original film. It’s the stories that are shared on film that give people permission to share their own stories. Those who know God have an opportunity to share their stories with those who may not yet know God. Every week at Lifetree people are encouraged to take one step closer to Jesus in a place where they don’t experience judgment, a place where their doubts and questions are welcomed, a place where everyone is on the journey together, and a place where we can all truly experience God.
You’re invited you to participate in this adventure. To come to Lifetree Café episodes, to enjoy the hour, to learn and grow. Your listening ear could make a big difference in someone’s life. And your own simple stories of how you’ve seen God work in your life could be just the thing that points someone to Jesus. Or you may want to join the Friendship Team, the people that provide hospitality to our Lifetree Café friends.
Here are the topics for March:
March 4 – Coming Together – Finding common ground when it seems impossible.
March 11 – Zzzz… - Practical help for getting a better night’s sleep.
March 18 – Only One Way to God? – Can one religion really have all the answers?
March 25 – Be Happy – Insights from the bestselling author of The Happiness Project.
150th Anniversary Update
The committee which will be making decisions will be getting very active quite soon is the Historical Committee. The Committee will be making decisions on displaying historical photos and stories during our celebration. Also, the committee will decide on the best format for recording and presenting an update of our history since our 125th reunion held in 1991. As these plans come into focus, there will be an opportunity to provide historical materials which many of our members have. Here is an interesting bit of history. The member with the most years of serving on SELC's Church Council was Ed Palm. Mr. Palm served on the Council for an amazing 45 years. Also, in the amazing category, SELC has 9 former members who served on the council for 24 years or more!
Here is the building improvement update. We have enough cash (not including any memorial funds) to be able to start and complete 3 projects. This assumes no unforeseen developments. The 3 projects are the Church roof (and related costs), the restroom additions at the Parish Hall and the vinyl re-siding of the Parish Hall. Depending on the weather and depending on the contractors’ schedule, you will start to see construction activity on these projects.
As of this writing, we have some very nice pledges for our other two projects—remodeling of the lower level of the church and remodeling of the Parish Hall kitchen. However, we do not have enough cash to start either project. The remodeling of the lower church level will come ahead of the Parish Hall kitchen as we have voted for the former but not the latter. Because the lower level project will be disruptive to Sunday mornings and meetings during the week, our thinking continues to be to try to get this project completed during the summer of 2015. To finalize the lower level plans and to get contractors scheduled for the summer of 2015 means that the lower level decision must be made soon. So, your donations and pledges continue to be very welcome allowing us to make plans accordingly. We cannot thank enough those who have generously donated so far.
Churchmen
The Churchmen officers for the coming year are Ray Meth, President; Keith Zihlman, Vice President; Gary Anderson, Secretary; and R. L. Chrisinger, Treasurer.
The Churchmen will have a prayer breakfast for all men on April 11th at 6:30 a.m., at the Parish Hall, 201 Academy Avenue, with R. L. Chrisinger and Monte Kann as hosts.
Souper Bowl of Caring
This year’s Souper Bowl of Caring involved 4,801 participating groups, which collected $6,627,200 in cash and food items, and donated 100% to charities in their area. SELC contributed $322 in food and monetary donations to The Fellowship Cup. Thank you to everyone who assisted with this worthwhile cause.
Choir Updates
During the month of March, choir will practice every Sunday at 9 a.m.
Youth
We have reserved Kenny’s Roller Ranch in Burlington for a private party on Sunday, March 22, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The entire congregation is invited to this special event! Come to skate, or to watch the fun. The cost is $5 per person, and includes 2 hours of skating, roller skate or roller blade rental, a soft drink, and a hot dog. Please let Pastor Mark or Mary in the church office know if you are able to participate. Friends are welcome and encouraged to join us.
Confirmation students packaged and sent out 20 care packages during February.
Worship Music
Now the Feast and Celebration – We will begin using this order of worship written by Marty Haugen on the second Sunday of each month. You might find many of the songs familiar as they are in the Service Music section of the ELW.
Lenten Schedule –
Wednesdays in March –
6:00 p.m.- meal served by the Luther League. Freewill offering received for Luther League activities, including the 2015 Youth Gathering in Detroit.
6:45 p.m. – Evening Prayer (Vespers) service out of the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW).
7:30 p.m. Lifetree Café
Social Ministry
Social Ministry is hosting a food drive for the Fellowship Cup, starting March 22 and continuing through April. Following is a list of most needed items: The Feinstein Challenge food drive during March and April has been suspended by the Feinstein Foundation. The Fellowship Cup still needs your support to keep the Food Pantry well stocked. We can't use the Feinstein name so we will call it a Spring Challenge. Our top 10 needs:
Breakfast Cereal, Canned Fruit, Canned Veggies, Canned Meat, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned Soup, Toilet Tissue, Juice Boxes (For Summer Sacks) Any grain like rice or pasta. Thank you for the support!
Social Ministry’s Spring Brunch
On Sunday, March 22, immediately following worship, the Social Ministry Committee will be serving a Spring Brunch. The meal will include fruit, French toast, breakfast casseroles, and baked goods (sweet rolls, coffee cake…), coffee and orange juice.
A freewill offering will be received, to be used for Social Ministry Committee projects, providing afternoon school milk for area schools, adopting local families, and the ELCA’s “God’s Barnyard,” their 150th Anniversary project. Matching funds from Thrivent have been requested.
Because of the brunch, there will be no Coffee Cart that day.
My Father’s War
Is an original debut production, taken from transcripts of love letters from the 301 Signal Corps written during World War II is presented by Mount Pleasant Community Theatre on March 5-7, at 7:00 p.m. in the Heatilator Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available for $5 at Brown’s Shoe Fit. All profits go to Freedom Flight of Eastern Iowa.
Women of the ELCA
Everyone is invited to join WELCA with their mission sewing on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at the Parish Hall, 201 Academy Drive, Swedesburg.
Crooked Creek Christian Camp
Baskets of Promise
This Lent WELCA is once again joining Lutheran World Relief’s Baskets of Promise campaign. Each week, WELCA will collect a different item that will be used to assemble Personal Care Kits that give people around the world tools to stay healthy in life’s most challenging situations.
Here is the collection schedule:
Thank You’s
Thank you so much for your support as I finish up my Masters of Social Work at Washington University. I’m in my last semester and will complete my degree in May. Jared and I have enjoyed living in St. Louis, but are hoping to relocate back to Iowa soon! Thanks again and hope to see you all sometime this spring! Kirsten Brown
Thank you for the prayers for our mother, Maleta Barquist, while she was hospitalized and the words of sympathy and memories shared at the time of her passing.
We would also like to thank Pastor Mark and Joel Brown for the beautiful service that was a true “celebration” of her life. Thank you to the ladies that organized, contribute to and served the lunch following the service.
Swedesburg church is very special and we are blessed to have grown up in such a wonderful community.
Rachel Brecht
Dan Barquist
Thank you for your generous support of the Fellowship Cup. Together, we are able to help serve the needs of Henry County.
Blessings, Ken Brown, Executive Director
On behalf of the elementary staff, I want to thank you for supporting our kindergarten milk program. Your offer to pay for milk break for students needing that support is very generous. There are two students that your check of $30 will support for the remainder of the semester.
Thank you so much for your donation. It is important that especially our younger students receive a nutritional break each afternoon. Sincerely, Vicki Reynolds, Elementary Principal
Thank you for your continued support of the programs of the Fellowship Cup Your generosity is very much appreciated. “A little help along the way,” helps many in Henry County.