Contact: Nicole • nmroczek@southwoodlutheran.org To see a full listing of volunteer opportunities, visit southwoodlutheran.org/give-back/mission

402.423.5511 southwoodlutheran.org

Address: 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68516

April 29, 2018

Do Good! Seek Peace and Go After It! Psalm 34:14b

What a wonderful verse to teach the 600+ kiddos that will be attending VBS the first two weeks in June! This could not be done without the superhero powers of our volunteers. Hear what some of them have to say:

Saratoga Fun FairHelp Saratoga families celebrate the end of the school year. • Event volunteers needed

Friday, May 11 from 4:30–7pm. You can sign up at Southwood Central or southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com

Southwood GardenTODAY and Sunday, May 20 • 12pm

Have a green thumb? We are looking for volunteers to help with planting the Southwood Garden. Sign up at Southwood Central or at southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com

Serve at the Neighborhood Food DistributionTuesday, May 1 • 2:45–5pm Help hand out food to over 400 people in our community. All volunteers need to be at least 10 years old. Sign up at Southwood Central or at southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com

Operation Graduation: A Faith Stepping Stone for Graduating Seniors and their Parents

» today at 11am–2pm in the Fellowship Hall

» Senior Recognition Sunday, May 20 at 8:30 or 11am services.

You, too, can be a Super Hero! Volunteer in the mornings for one of the first two weeks in June. Contact Deb at draatz@southwoodlutheran.org

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2018

Parent/Child Summer WorkshopsFaith Stepping StonesAcquire resources to help you raise your child in a Christ-centered home. Attend an age-specific workshop with your child this summer to keep faith alive. Childcare provided for siblings. Grandparents welcome! Please register for the student’s grade in the 2018–2019 school year.

5th Grade Worship June 24 at 9:45amPreK/K Communion June 24 at 11:00am4th Grade Money Matters July 8 at 9:45amParents Baptism Class July 15 at 11am3rd Grade Bible: Old Testament

and New TestamentJuly 15 at 9:45am July 22 at 9:45am

2nd Grade Ten Commandments July 29 at 11:00am1st Grade & Up Communion July 29 from

11am–1:30pm1st Grade Serving August 5 at 9:45am

The complete schedule and registration for all classes is online at southwoodlutheran.org/fss or at Southwood Central.

Fun Fair

Tanzania Scholarship ProgramMake a difference in the life of a child. $62/month provides an education, room and board for a child! For more program information and giving opportunities visit: southwoodlutheran.org/tanzania-scholarship.

I have learned so many important lessons in the years since I began helping with VBS:

` I won’t grow if I don’t challenge myself.

` I learned how to bring biblical men and women to life through story.

` I don’t have to wait until I know “enough” about the Bible to teach the children.

—Heather

I love volunteering every year for VBS and

cherish seeing all the kiddos excited to learn about God! Volunteering always gives me back way more than I

could ever give. —Donna

V isions of children learning and spreading GOD’S word!

B unches and bunches of fun while teaching GOD’S message!

S haring GOD’s love with 600+ children! —Buffy

Christopher Reeves (Superman) said it best, “A hero

is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere.”

I simply cannot wait to join all of our forces for good and

finally wear my super hero cape and mask to church!

—Crystal

Through music, Bible stories and new friendships, VBS gives me

an opportunity to help children build lifetime faith memories. —Susan

Contact: Pam Dinneen • pdinneen@southwoodlutheran.org

Caring by Serving Use your God-given talents by caring for others:

` Be on a team (we have 3 teams) that prepares and serves lunch following funerals.

` Bring two dozen homemade or bakery cookies for funeral luncheons.

Contact Britni at bwilbrand@southwoodlutheran.org or call 402.423.5511 with any questions.

CareNotes!Life can certainly have its challenging moments. Stop by a CareNotes display and find helpful, inspirational booklets on many topics. Looking for a specific topic? Ask in the office!

Ongoing Care Ministries Held in the Group Room next to the Nursery

` Prayer Shawl Ministry—May 2 & 16 • 6:30pm | May 10 • 10am ` Renewed Hope—May 20 • 11am

Contact: Jo Sheets • jsheets@southwoodlutheran.org

Visit southwoodlutheran.org for a complete listing of events and registrations.

Contact: Faye Koehn • fkoehn@southwoodlutheran.org

Contact: Drew Jagadich • djagadich@southwoodlutheran.org

Creating Healthy Relationships at HomeHealthy Boundaries Create Healthy RelationshipsWhether it’s at work, with friends or in our own homes, healthy boundaries are necessary for healthy relationships. Our physical and emotional boundaries define how we interact with others, and how we allow others to interact with us. Consider these tips:

f If you feel anger or resentment, or find yourself complaining, you probably need to set a boundary. Listen to yourself, then determine what you need.

f Boundaries will be tested—plan on it, stay firm, clear and respectful. Remember this is to change your circumstances, not other people.

f Know it is a process and takes time to develop boundaries. Begin in small ways. Remember, healthy boundaries become the fences that keep us safe. When we set clear and appropriate boundaries, we will have less need to put up walls.

Source: http://bit.ly/1hQOHXs visited 04/24/18

3 Tips for Caring Everyday

Life and Lattes Tuesday, May 1 • 2:30–5pm. Meet at Starbucks (70th & O St.).

Youth Grouptonight • 5:45–8pm Offsite service project. We will be serving at the homes of Southwood members. Dress appropriately for outside work. Eat before you come.

DELVE (Confirmation) • 6th–8th grade• 6th–8th Grade: Break for summer. Resumes in the fall.

Summer Mission Trips• Middle School:

June 20–23 in Minneapolis, Minnesota Registration and $100 deposit deadline: May 23. Total Cost $275

• High School: July 21–28 in Houston, Texas Registration and $150 deposit deadline: June 21. Total Cost $375

Learn more at southwoodlutheran.org/youth

SAVE THE DATE! Women’s Summer Study Thursdays, June 21—July 26 • 6:30–8pm

Carve out some time for yourself this summer and enjoy a weekly dose of inspiration, laughter and possibly a few tears. Gather your friends, or join a table group to meet new people. Faith growth is so much better when done in community. More details coming soon!

Faith Stepping Stone: Baptism ClassMay 13 • 11am in the Meeting RoomUnwrap God’s gift of Holy Baptism at the Faith Stepping Stone Baptism Class. At Southwood, we ask that all parents who are having children baptized attend one of these classes. Register at southwoodlutheran.org/events

Why Baptism?Here are some reasons that parents may choose to baptize their children:1. I love my child and want to surround her with

the love and promises of her parents, her family, and the church.

2. My child is such an awesome gift from God—a child is much more than “mine” or “ours.” He is God’s creation, God’s child.

3. I want my child to belong to a community of faith, people who love God and love others.

4. I want to affirm the promise of salvation for my child and nurture in his life a way of life and a hope for the future.

5. I want to make a commitment to raising my child as a Christ follower. I want the support of people of faith as I teach my child to live a life of faith.

6. As my child is marked with the cross of Christ forever through baptism. I want him to be empowered to serve the world in the name of Christ.

III. How can water do such great things?It is not water that does these things, but God’s Word with the water and our trust in this Word. Water by itself is only water, but with the word of God it is a life-giving water which by grace gives the new birth through the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul writes in Titus 3:5–7He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (NLT)

IV. What does Baptism mean for daily living?

It means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

St. Paul writes in Romans 6:3–4“Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (NLT)

OVER

Hopes for Your FutureI. What is Baptism?

Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God’s Word by his command.

What is this Word?In Matthew 28:19 our Lord Jesus Christ says: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (NLT)

II. What benefits does God give in Baptism?

In Baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what he has promised.

What is God’s promise?In Mark 16:16 our Lord Jesus Christ says: “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” (NLT)

PromisesHow can I fulfill these Baptismal Promises?1. Pray for your child in their presence.2. Take them to church with you so they will begin

to know they are God’s child and part of God’s family.

3. Sing them Christian songs.4. Tell them how much Jesus loves them.5. Fold their hands in yours as you

pray a simple prayer.6. Look at simple Bible storybooks,

pointing out pictures of Jesus.7. Point out things that God made.8. Every night when they go to bed, make the sign

of the cross on their forehead and say a blessing. Keep doing this. Ideas for a blessing are:

` “God loves you and so do I” ` “May God bless you and keep you safe” ` “Child of God, you have been sealed by the

Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever”

9. Pray for your child daily.10. Live so they see Jesus in you.11. Remember, you are not alone. You have

sponsors, pastors, parents, friends, your congregation, church resources, Holy Communion, the Bible, forgiveness and, above all, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you.

Baptism Brochure 2016.indd 2 5/17/17 10:46 AM

High School Tanzania Mission TripInterested in attending Southwood’s first global high school mission trip to Tanzania in June 2019? Contact Drew for more information.

Southwood Seniors: Field TripWednesday, May 9 • 12–2pm

Come enjoy beautiful views of Lincoln’s skyline with perfect visibility of the capitol building. Rain or shine, we’ll have the place all to ourselves to gather and hear the interesting story behind Capitol View Winery. Wine tasting is optional for $5. If you wish to carpool meet at Southwood by 11:30am.Program: Winery owners, Less & Trish, at Capitol View Winery & Vineyard (2361 Wittstruck Rd, Roca, NE)Lunch: Sandwiches, sides and dessert provided. Register at southwoodlutheran.org or at Southwood Central.

Book of Faith Bible Study: The Gospel of Mark led by Pastor Karl-JohnThursdays through May 3 • 6:30–8pm

The Gospel of Mark reveals how Jesus is God’s good news to us! We’ll explore four key questions asked in the first half of this gospel to discover the purpose and meaning of life in Christ. Register at southwoodlutheran.org or at Southwood Central.

Renewed HopeTODAY at 11am in the Group Room Feeling overwhelmed after the death of your spouse? Attend Renewed Hope on the third Sunday of each month, providing support with others with a similar loss. No registration needed.

Southwood Singles: End of Year BBQ with First Plymouth Singles Saturday, May 19 • 6–9pm

Join the Southwood Singles for the end of the year BBQ and game night. Location: Southwood fire pit, south of the gravel parking lot.

` Brats, hotdogs, buns and water will be provided. ` Please bring a side dish, beverage and lawn chair. ` In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside.

Register at southwoodlutheran.org or at Southwood Central.

BBQ