st. matthew lutheran church april 2018april 1 were ridiculed and, because they were seen as foolish,...
TRANSCRIPT
St. Matthew Lutheran Church April 2018
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Pastor’s Message 2
Worship/Music 3
Children Ministry 4
Caring Ministry 5
Looking Ahead 6
Church Life 7-10
Stewardship 11
The last time it happened was in 1945. This year it hap-pens again – Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day. On February 14th, many of us will not only open a Valentines card but also receive ashes on our forehead. If that’s not a strange enough convergence, consider that in 2018 Easter will share April 1 with April Fool’s Day.
For most Christians it is a double intrusion. It’s hard enough these days to get the faithful to focus on the church’s cadence of time with the day of resurrection at its summit. Now the first day of Lent will compete with chocolates, flowers and sweetheart dinners, and Easter will contend with practical jokes and hoaxes.
Certainly Valentine’s Day has its Christian overtones. Tradi-tionally the holiday observes the martyrdom of a saint about whom we know little. Many beautiful legends swirl about St. Valentine, not the least of which is his healing of a young blind girl and his sending her a message signed, “Your Valentine.” It’s not too long of a leap, therefore, to suggest that being marked with a cross of ashes reminds us that, like
St. Valentine, to bear the cross of Christ is to risk persecution and even death.
One who experienced the connection between ashes and martyrdom on April 1, 1945, was Dietrich Bonhoef-fer. He was martyred eight days later. He said it well in The Cost of Disciple-ship: “The cross is laid on every Christian. . . When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Ashes certainly symbolize baptism, death, rebirth, and repent-ance. They also mark us as those who bear the cross of Christ even unto death. But April Fool’s Day on East-er Sunday? We can probably thank Pope Gregory XIII for April Fools. In 1582, he de-creed the adoption of the “Gregorian calendar” — named after himself — which moved New Year’s celebrations from the April 1 to January 1. Those who did-n’t get the message and continued to celebrate on April 1 were ridiculed and,
because they were seen as foolish, they were called April Fools. By the 18th Century, especially in England, the day was given over to pranks and put-ons.
Even here, though, just as Christians are marked from Baptism with the “ashes” of dying and living with Christ, we are also still seen as fools. The apostle Paul described our faith in the crucified and risen Christ as “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:27). We look and sound like fools to those who do not understand and share our faith. That has always been a problem for us, resulting in the martyrdom of cross-bearers like Paul of Tarsus, Valentine, and Bonhoeffer.
Given that history, I suspect we followers of Christ will be sure that Ash Wednesday and Easter dominate their respective days. In our conversations, though, it will not hurt to welcome this year’s intruders, finding love and cross-bearing in our ashes and joy in being fools for Christ. Grace and Peace, Pastor Bill Hugo
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FMSC PACKING!
29 of us attended the packing event on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and over 26,000 meals were packed and readied for shipping to Haiti. Our group prayed over the meals before we left, asking that God would not only provide safe passage for the food, but also that His gracious gospel would be a part of that food distribution.
One of our 2018 mission teams is in hopes that we might actually get to handle some of this food when we are in Haiti in early June!
The following was written by Rev. Dean Nadasdy, President of the Minnesota South District of the LC-MS. He is a mission-minded pastor who has served the
church very well and will be retiring in June.
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Carol Blase, music coordinator 763-788-9427
[email protected]; [email protected]
We are on the brink of the greatest celebration of the church year!
I so look forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Lord with you, not only on April 1, but for all of the weeks of Easter after that day.
As we weekly experience the Jesus “sightings” with men and women of the New Testament, let us all be on the lookout for situations,
people, and opportunities that Jesus is putting into our paths where we not only see and hear Him, but are also able to “be” Jesus!
I look forward to hearing all about your experiences!
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Performances: Thursdays thru Sundays, April 26-29 and May 3-6
Work is progressing as we look toward our presentations of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.
Tickets go on sale the first weekend of April and are $10 each (reserved seating).
We will also be offering a Saturday dinner on April 28 and a social hour on May 5
(menus will be available at the time of ticket sales). You can purchase tickets between services on the weekends, through the church office during the week, or
through e-mail at [email protected]. Intermission treats will also be on sale at each show.
Any assistance you can lend us with tickets sales, publicity, being a greeter before shows, Saturday dinner/social hour serving,
or intermission treats would be much appreciated.
Good Friday Family Event (Mar. 30)
Egg Hunt! Registration begins at 4:30 for the 4:45 hunt. Snow, rain or shine, the egg hunt will be held!
A special worship service geared for families with young children will be held following the egg hunt, at 5:00.
Thanks to all who helped with candy donations, helped stuff eggs, signed up to help with the egg hunt, are part of the worship drama team, or otherwise helped with the Good Friday event. You have been a blessing!
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Thank you to our March Sunday School Leaders!!
EL class: Lynn McDonald; Younger Workshop Rotation group: Candy Nelson, Mikayla Estevez (sub. Patti Seitz); Older Workshop Rotation group: Karrie Kikeh, Jesse Davies (sub. Katie Landwehr); Workshop Leaders: Sarai Kretschman,
Sydney Naber, Kiah Gordon, Diane Breit Grades 5/6: Mike Alm, Jesse Davies
In March - Sunday School The Early Learners and Rotation Workshop students studied the Think.Act.Believe chapters on Hope and Faithfulness. The two go hand in hand, knowing that we have a SURE hope in God’s promises and that God is faithful. *EL activities included Bible stories, painting, dancing and action/drama games *Rotation workshops included cooking, movie, craft and games workshops. The Sojourners studied the kings, David and Solomon.
Children’s Ministries
Funny Faithful Faces and Faithful Feet!
One of the goals of the Children’s Ministries Program is to reach the hearts and minds of the children with the love of Jesus, and that they are moved to reflect that love by serving others. Please remember the Sunday school workshop leaders, Sunday school ‘shepherds’, Sunday school assistants, Hand in Hand leaders and VBS lead-ers in your prayers that our goal will be reached through their witness.
Children’s Ministries Calendar:
Friday, Mar. 30 – Good Friday Family Worship service and egg hunt. (and regular Good Friday worship – Service of Darkness, at 7 PM)
Late-May – participant registration begins for VBS
June 3 – SSS (Summer Sunday School) schedule begins
June 24-28 – VBS, evenings (Vacation Bible School) Plans are underway!
BEFRIENDER MEETINGS IN APRIL Sun., April 8
th 9:15am
Wed., April 11th 1:00pm or 6:45pm
GRIEFSHARE
Our 12-week session of GriefShare will be ending on March 28th. Please let Kathy Rosenberg know if you have questions or are interested in attending a GriefShare class or would like support to discuss your grief.
CARING MINISTERS
AVAILABLE
***If you or a loved one are hospitalized or have upcoming surgery, please notify the church office.
***Kathy Rosenberg, Parish Nurse, is available to offer you visits and 1:1 support to you and your family’s life of joys and challenges.
***Congregational BeFriender visits provide support for those in need of a listening, caring presence.
Please contact Pastor Hugo, Parish Nurse Kathy Rosenberg, or the church office for any caring needs.
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End of Life Choices and Funeral Planning
WHO COULD SPEAK FOR YOU
IF YOU ARE UNABLE?
If you would like discussion or help completing Health Care Directive forms
(to make your end of life wishes known before you
reach a crisis), please set up an appointment with
Parish Nurse Kathy Rosenberg, who can guide you through the steps,
answer your questions and help you complete this very important document. It is a great gift to your
family and loved ones.
FUNERAL PLANS? If you’d like to pre-plan your funeral details, let Pastor Hugo know and he and Kathy will meet with you to discuss at your convenience.
Caring Ministries
Please let Kathy know what day and time you will attend.
March Golden Ager Event
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MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Weekly Bible study led by Pastor Hugo.
Tuesday mornings; 6:30 a.m.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY Bi-weekly Bible study - “Finding I AM”
Tuesdays or Thursdays 9:09am; Tuesdays 6:06 pm
Led by Dorothy Brutlag/Carol Lundholm
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Choirs will all return to their regular rehearsal schedules starting on Wed., April 4: Kindersong, 5:00 to 5:25 p.m. Children’s Choir, 5:30 to 5:55 p.m. St. Matthew Singers & Youth Choir, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
CHIPOTLE FUNDRAISER for our community theater ministry is on Tuesday, April 10, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., 5200 Central Ave. NE in Columbia Heights. Flyers will be available at church (or you may show the flyer on your cell phone) to give to the cashier so that we get a per-centage of the receipts during that time slot.
Wednesdays! ‘Set 3’ will begin/resume right after Easter and is 5 Wednes-
days long, Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 2. Note that, because of the musical, the gym will NOT be available on Apr. 25 and May 2. Board games and card games will be ready for those who need the time fillers while siblings/parents are engaged in other classes/rehearsals. Confirmation, Teens, Hand in Hand, and $2 Simple Suppers will all be held at their normal Wednesday times.
Mark your calendars for June 24 – 28, VBS! People are needed for Servant Leadership and Assistant Positions: Check the list on the wall opposite the Welcome Desk, pick up an infor-mation packet (which has an application form at-tached) and contact Brenda with questions.
Donations are now being accepted for this mission outreach event via special envelopes avail-able at St. Matthew. Goal: 140 donations of $25 each = $3500
Donate/Loan items: In late April/early May, watch for the tear-off tags for items you can donate or loan to help support the VBS program (main of-fice window wall). These items are NOT figured in-to our budget. Participant Registration: Keep an eye on the St. Matthew website for participant registration which will open in late May.
VBS at St. Matthew:
June 24-28,
evenings
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Yogadevotion is the practice based on breath, prayer and movement. Classes are held in 6-8 week sessions
on Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm in the Willer Room. Sign up on the Health and Well-ness bulletin board in the Narthex. Bring a yoga mat or you may use a chair. All levels welcomed. Talk to Kathy, Rose, Louise, or Ruth if you are interested in signing up for a class or have questions.
Next Yogadevotion dates: March 1 - April 26, 8 weeks, $64
(No class Maundy Thursday)
May 3 - June 14, 6 weeks, $48 (No class May 10)
Missions – Sunday School/ St. Matthew Congregational
Offerings
Update: Blessings Bags Stop by the office and take a
Blessings Bag or two with you in your car, to give to someone in
need. We accept donations toward Blessings Bags at any time in antici-
pation of a future packing event.
New Project! Financial offerings will go toward our
summer VBS project!
The St. Matthew community is invited to augment the
Sunday school mission offerings.
Golden Agers All senior adults are encouraged to join our fun quarterly gather-ings! We meet next on Tuesday, June 12th at noon. Join us for a delightful afternoon of pizza and
fun with the DCLC children, along with devotion, fel-lowship and prayers. Kathy is always available to visit at your home to discuss any health concerns or aging issues you may be navigating. Please call Kathy at 612-296-1812 to arrange a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday visit time.
As the weather warms up, it is time to begin thinking about our beautiful Memorial Garden in the front of the church. We will be ordering engraved pavers again in the Spring. If you would like to commemorate a loved one, please pick up an order form at the Welcome Desk
and return it to Ruth. Cost of an engraved paver: $150.
St. Matthew Community Theater Presents
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Lyrics by Tim Rice Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Thursday-Friday, April 26-27 at 7 pm Saturday, April 28 – Dinner at 5:45; show at 7 pm
Sunday, April 29 – 2 pm
Thursday-Friday, May 3-4 at 7 pm Saturday, May 5 – Social Hour at 5:45; show at 7 pm
Sunday, May 6 – 2 pm
Tickets on sale beginning April 2 $10 reserved seating; dinner/social hour tickets $10 each
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is presented by arrangement with The Musical Company, LP, 214 Sullivan Street, Ste. 4, New York, NYÂ 10012-1343 www.themusicalcompany.com; Phone: (212) 598-2204; Email: [email protected]
From a Christian perspective, stewardship could be described as using and managing the resources God has given us - for His glory and the work of His Kingdom. But, when looked at from an earthly perspective, stewardship can seem like something very differ-ent…. as a difficult challenge, something to dread, an invasion of our privacy, or something we just can’t afford.
Speaking for myself, I sometimes wonder: why does giving to my church seem so hard? At such times I begin to realize that the more we focus on earth-ly worries and cares, the more obstacles we can come up with that interfere with Christian stewardship. If we allow our earthly possessions to be the greatest concern in our lives, God is put into the background and in the end forgotten.
Years ago, John D. Rockefeller was asked the question: “How much money do you need?” Mr. Rockefeller—who by many accounts was the richest person in the history of mankind—is said to have answered, “A little more than I have now.” A surprising answer; yet not so surprising considering these were the words of a man who devoted his life to accumulating massive amounts of wealth and by almost any means possible.
Rockefeller’s words may seem a strange source of inspiration for Christian stewardship; yet as Christians we might ask ourselves this question, which sounds similar but is actually quite different:
“How much money can I give?” My answer to that question is, “A little more than I do now.” This is a simple answer that I can repeat many times over because I believe in my heart that no matter the effort I put forth today, I can do a little more tomorrow. What’s more, this answer, simple as it is, becomes a powerful statement when spoken by a large community of believers acting as brothers and sisters in Christ.
When our hearts are filled with love, faith, and trust in God, we can overcome the things that hold us back. We can meet our personal challenges to do more as a thank offering to God for the gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ who saves us from our sins. That is stewardship at its best. As Jesus said of the poor widow who gave all that she had, it is the gifts that come from the heart, whether small or large, that are most important and of greatest value in the sight of God. For His mercy’s sake and in love and gratitude for all He has done for us, let us ask God to help us do more tomorrow than we did today.
By Craig Affeldt
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ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCH
4101 WASHINGTON STREET NE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN
55421
763-788-9427 www.stmatthew-ch.org
The most current St. Matthew news and calendar are online at
www.stmatthew-ch.org
Church Staff
Bill Hugo, Pastor
Carol Blase, Music Coordinator
Brenda Hugo, Director of Children’s Ministries
Kathy Rosenberg, Parish Nurse
Faustina Allen, Director of Teen Ministry
Ruth Petersen, Office Manager
Julie Sventek, DCLC Director
Discipleship Vision Board
Craig Affeldt [email protected]
Lisa Glaser [email protected]
Cheryl Fristad [email protected]
Pastor Bill Hugo [email protected]
Discipleship Vision Board
Brian Maxwell [email protected]
Tim Naber [email protected]
Lisa Neaderhiser
Louise Roberts (President)