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reading it there rather than in the newsletter itself,
whether paper or electronic.
In other ways, a blog affords opportunities a
newsletter cannot. One critical difference is that a
blog can utilize links to other parts of the internet –
websites, videos, other articles and further
explanations. A blog is more easily found (and
VOL. XLV, NO. 3 _ MARCH 2012 more easily followed) by the wider public than a
newsletter article ever could be, even one published
Divine eternal lover, online as well as printed and mailed. The purpose of
you meet us on the road. my blog, which I began at the behest of
We wait for lands of promise congregation members, is to communicate and
where milk and honey flow, connect with God’s beloved both within and outside
but waiting not for places, the boundaries of Lutheran Church of the Savior.
you meet us all around. Ideally this blog is one more way for me to
Our covenant is written communicate the love of God in Jesus Christ for
on roads, as faith is found. you and for all the world, another place where the
- Sylvia G. Dunstan, “Bless Now, O God, the living Word of God might become manifest in my
Journey,” ELW 326 flawed words.
The season of Lent includes the entire As a pastor and a preacher, I cannot control
month of March this year. Sure, we had a few days – or sometimes even recognize! – the Holy Spirit
in February, and we’ll have the tail end of the communicating the Gospel of God’s love in Jesus
season in April, but this year March is an entire Christ through my words and my life. I can,
calendar month to reflect on our relationship with however, put myself out there, tell my own story of
God in Jesus Christ and to participate in disciplines God’s love for me, and communicate to build
drawing us closer to God and God’s will for us. relationships with others in many ways. What God
My own Lenten discipline this year is that I will does with a pastor’s blog, I may never know. I do
attempt to blog (at my official LCS Pastor’s Blog, know that I enjoy sharing my thoughts, expansions
unexpectedandmysterious.blogspot.com) for all of sermons, links to articles of interest, and more in
forty days of Lent. I made a similar effort last year, this format. I appreciate the opportunity to do so
but, um, well… let’s just say that I am again deeply more intentionally and consistently during this
grateful that the grace and love of God has the season of Lent.
power to overwhelm and redeem my frailties and
failings. Pastor Andrew
Blogging is a curious and relatively new art. + + + + + + + + + +
It is writing, first and foremost, though in an
especially malleable form. One key to WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS
understanding blogging is that blogs (short for “web Please join Pastor Andrew in a brief meeting after
logs,” as in “a chronological record recorded on the worship on Sunday, March 18th for anyone who
web / internet”) are published directly by their would like to be welcomed more fully into the life
authors, with little or no editorial intervention. This of Lutheran Church of the Savior. We will discuss
is a blessing and a curse, as any blog (this one membership, gifts for ministry, and how you can
included) is likely to demonstrate. In some ways a deepen your relationship with our church family.
blog can be like a newsletter article: I use my blog Based on this meeting, we hope to celebrate an
to publish periodic articles about our life together as official welcome of new members through a rite of
Lutheran Church of the Savior. This “newsletter Affirmation of Baptism soon thereafter. If you are
article” is posted to my blog, and some of you are interested but cannot attend this meeting, please
contact Pastor Andrew by email or phone.
-1-
LENT WEDNESDAYS God. Join us around the new fire, the same fire in
As in recent years we will gather for a meal, Bible- which God led the Israelites from slavery to
based education, and evening prayer. freedom. Hear the Easter Proclamation and the
5:45 - Dinner ancient stories of our faith, the stories of God’s
6:30-7:30 - Education (Being the Body of grace and love from Creation through the Hebrew
Christ: Studies in 1 Corinthians)
Scriptures. We will bring these stories to life with
7:30-8:00 - Worship (Holden Evening Prayer)
creative and lively retellings and vibrant musical
The Lent Wednesday Supper menu consists responses. Then gather around the font for a
of “savory” soups, sandwiches and dessert. A sign- celebration of Baptism, the sacrament of welcome
up is posted on the kiosk for contributions of soup, into Christ’s risen body. Continue with the first
meat, cheese, bread and desserts. celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, in
Proceeds from the suppers, along with a Word from the New Testament and finally in the
$350 grant from Thrivent, will be going to local meal that draws us into Christ’s presence and draws
hunger. Christ’s presence into us, Holy Communion.
Please be generous with your donations for
Afterwards, gather for a festival celebration of our
the supper, there are many in our community who
risen Lord with good food and festive drink. And as
are going hungry.
if the Vigil were not exciting enough, this year we
+ + + + + + + + + hope to welcome our sisters and brothers from
Sunnyside United Methodist Church to join us in
Holy Week is Coming Soon! this unique, ancient worship experience, sharing
This year Holy Week is the first week of April, and their gifts for storytelling and music among others
Lutheran Church of the Savior will be celebrating in making this our most exciting and Christ-centered
Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion and the Three Vigil yet!
Days, or the Triduum, of Maundy Thursday, Good
Easter Sunday again will feature a celebratory
Friday, and the Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening.
Each of these worship experiences is unique and breakfast and activities for children prior to our
features ancient ritual in current expression. 10:00am festival worship of Word and Sacrament
Palm Sunday will begin with a procession of the on this holiest day of the Christian year.
congregation featuring new Eco-Palms, fair-trade
plants that benefit Lutheran World Relief, and will + + + + + + + + + +
include an interactive reading of the Passion of our
Lord. SUNDAY FAITH ADULT FORMATION,
beginning on March 4th, has resumed sharing
Maundy Thursday will again include the ancient
around the topic, “Understanding the Will of God”,
ritual of foot-washing, emphasizing our humility based on Anglican Dr. Leslie Weatherhead’s
before we partake in Holy Communion as Jesus and famouse little book The Will of God. Retired pastor,
his disciples did on the night in which he was Rev. John Kepler, will be the presenter/facilitator.
betrayed. In the most difficult and challenging of
Good Friday will offer a reflection on the death of times, have you ever heard people casually throw
God in Jesus Christ our Lord on the cross, the out the phrase, “Well, it’s just God’s will!” Are all
symbol of suffering and death through which God
the bad things that happen the will of God? How
can I understand the will of God for my life?
paradoxically showed most clearly the power of
This class, held in the church library, will
love for us and for this world. run concurrent with Sunday school, 9:00 am
The Vigil of Easter is the ancient ritual center of Sundays, and is particularly suited for parents and
our lives together as followers of Jesus, the night in guardians of Sunday school kids, as well as anyone
which God turned death to life, turned hatred and interested in deepening faith through this five
suffering and pain into pure love, and turned us session series concluding on April 1.
from flawed human sinners into beloved children of -2-
THE CONGREGATIONAL CARE SANCTURAY FLOWER SCHEDULE
COMMITTEE serves this congregation by caring The flower chart will remain available for
for our members’ needs spiritually, physically, and those interested in signing up to purchase flowers
emotionally. Beginning in 2012 we have a new for any particular Sunday. The chart is located on
system for keeping track of our members by the east wall of the narthex, next to the kiosk.
monitoring attendance. If you have not attended If you are signed up, please purchase the
worship for 6 week, the Congregational Care flowers and place them in the church sacristy prior
committee will contact you and see how we can to the Sunday morning service.
best meet your needs. The goal of this new plan is The Altar Guild will place your flowers in
to provide pastoral and material care for our sisters the sanctuary on Sunday morning.
and brothers, to the best of our abilities. If no one has signed up to bring flowers,
If you have questions, or would like to join green plants will be placed in the sanctuary. If you
the work of the Congregational Care committee, see have any questions, please see me, Kerry Thurn
Barb Hogg, Chairperson. Normally we meet on the
last Wednesday every month at 2:00 p.m. however + + + + + + + + + +
in March we will meet at 4PM on March 28. We
welcome new people to join us and we would FREE STORE of KALAMAZOO, located at the
welcome your input. old Heritage Hall building on East Main Street, is
preparing for its Grand Opening on March 24!
+ + + + + + + + + +
Ways in which you can help:
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY, led by Pastor - pray for the Free Store and the Eastside
Andrew, will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, community
March 8. Our teaching resource is taken from - donate clothing and household items;
Gather magazine, formerly Lutheran Woman - give a financial gift
Today. - donate a non-cash gift
We have been conducting a study of the - sort items and set up displays
Gospel of Mark entitled To Follow and to Serve, - bake cookies for Free Store guests
The Gospel of Mark. - donate coffee and coffee supplies
We are now on session 7, entitled Rising - volunteer to work in the Free Store
Expectations. The bible readings are Mark 11:1- - volunteer to sort clothing at the Free Store
13:37. If you do not have a copy of the Gather
magazine, please let the office know and we will Please join us and work together to build this new
provide a copy of this month’s session. All women ministry in the East Side Neighborhood!
are invited to attend. Questions? Contact Erin Thompson
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
THE MONTHLY HYMN SELECTION SHARON’S CIRCLE (LCS PRAYER SHAWL
MEETING will be held on Sun., March 11 at MINISTRY) - will meet on Sat., March 17 at
11:30 a.m. in the library/meeting room. See or call 10:30 a.m.
Deb Rafferty if you have any questions regarding Our prayer shawls are available for LCS
the hymn selection process. members and for family and friends of members. If
you would like to know how to be a part of this
+ + + + + + + + + + ministry or if you know of a need for one of our
prayer shawls you may contact Joan Ulmer, 382-
Church Office: 269-342-0069 0871.
Church Cell: 269-250-0521
+ + + + + + + + + +
E-mail: lcoskalamazoo@gmail.com -3-
Website: www.lcoskzoo.com
“JESUS of NAZARETH – WHAT ELSE DO SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL EVENT:
WE KNOW” Presented by Dr. Paul Maier Holy Communion Education on March 18th
Dr. Paul Maier, Professor of Ancient History at On this Sunday, children will join Pastor
Western Michigan University, is one of our Andrew in learning about Holy Communion. Using
country’s leading authorities on the biblical world Lutheran Pastor Dan Erlander’s book, A Place For
and a widely acclaimed author and speaker. He will You, we will explore this unique and powerful
present the fourth in a series of seminars at Zion sacramental expression of God’s love for us in Jesus
Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo. In this seminar, Christ. Jane Norton, our resident Sunday
Dr. Maier will look at the sources of information Communion bread baker, will be on hand to include
regarding Jesus, illuminating scripture with children in baking our bread for the following few
evidence from archeology and secular history. Sundays.
When: Saturday, March 10, 2012 All are welcome to receive the bread and
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM wine/juice of Holy Communion in our Sunday
Where: Zion Lutheran Church worship, real presence of Jesus Christ among us
2122 Bronson Blvd. with God’s Word for God’s people. This class is a
Kalamazoo great opportunity for children to receive education
Lunch will be provided after which parents might choose to allow their
Pre-registration fee: $15 Adults children to take Communion each Sunday. Contact
$10 Students Pastor Andrew with questions or concerns related to
(Forms available on the usher’s table) this event or
Registration at door: $20 Adults our communion practices.
$15 Students
+ + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + +
LUTHERAN-EPISCOPAL CAMPUS MINISTRIES
LCS CHURCH SUPPER Religious Perspectives: Islam
Fri., March 30 Tuesday March 13th, 7:00 pm /Fetzer Center, Western
Michigan University: The second lecture of this series,
Lutheran Church of the Savior is serving dinners on presented by LECM-WMU, WMU’s Department of
the last Friday of each month. Serving time will be
Religious Studies, and other partners, will feature
from 5-6:30 p.m. Invite your family, friends, and
renowned Imam Sayid Hassan Al-Qazwini, who will offer
your neighbors for an evening of fellowship and
delicious food!! The menu for this month is: a Shi’a perspective on Islam. All are welcome for this
Swiss steak, buttered carrots, mashed potatoes, engaging and educational event. For more information,
salad, dessert and beverages. contact Rv. Dr. David Louder at dlouder@lecm-wmu.org
The cost is: adults/ $8 or 269-743-4287 or visit www.religiousperspectives.org.
children under the age of 10/$4
Proceeds are designated for the general church + + + + + + + + + +
budget.
Please Note: In order to plan for the amount of
food needed (and nothing is wasted), you are TIME to SPRING FORWARD
encouraged to purchase your tickets in advance or Daylight Savings Time begins on
make reservations. Tickets may be purchased on Sunday, March 11
Sunday mornings. Be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour before
Take out orders are welcome for neighbors, going to bed Saturday night (March 10).
friends, or relatives
Volunteers are always needed for these meals for
either set up, serving, or clean up. If you are
interested please contact Linda Burgan: 342-9249
+ + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + +
-4-
ATTENDANCE for: CELEBRATING a
Feb. 5 120 MARCH ANNIVERSARY:
Feb. 12 61 06 Jason and Tracy Whitfield
Feb. 19 78 21 Loyal and Bonnie Eldridge
Feb. 26 66
+ + + + + + + + + +
OFFERING for:
General Designated PRAYERS are being offered to:
Feb. 5 5,310.57 165.00 . . . . the sick, those awaiting treatment, those
Feb. 12 2,482.00 40.00 hospitalized and those recuperating: Emalynne
Feb. 19 3,533.45 35.00 Flickinger, granddaughter of Marianne VanMelle;
Feb. 26 2,330.85 25.00 Jane Secor’s little friend, Tucker; Edna Geik’s
grandson, Kenny and her neighbor, Jimmy;
“Common Cents”: Feb. = $54.21 Bernadette’s brother-in-law, Earl; Jane Bradshaw;
Total to date = $128.11 Martie Gates’ friend, Kenny; Linda Schmitigal’s
friend, Deb C.; Wilma Cool’s niece, Bonitta; Carol
+ + + + + + + + + + and Jerry Malmud; Tom Oliver’s sister, Sharilyn;
Bill and Betty Switzer; Jean Fawley; Joan Ulmer’s
“THANK YOU” sister, Carolyn; Russ Minehart;
. . . . . “Thank you for letting me care for the . . . . our elderly and home bound members or
children of the congregation for so many wonderful nursing home residents: Ken and Helen Sweet;
years. Thank you for the certificate and gift-card. I Marti Gates; Mae Hoffmann; Gene Carver; Franz
am blessed to be a member at Lutheran Church of Metzger
the Savior. Thanks so much.”. . . . . . . Joan Ulmer . . . . . mourning the loss of loved ones: Ernie
Roberts, his wife Mary; Ruth Andrus, her sister,
. . . . “Thanks so much for the beautiful plaque and Nathalie; Dale and MaryBeth Wood, Dale’s father,
gift certificate. It has been my pleasure to take care Richard.
of the flower needs of the church these many years.
I’m so pleased to be part of such a caring, giving Note: Please update this list by notifying the
church family. May God guide and bless us in our church office, Joan Ulmer or Martie Gates so that
new missions.” . . . . . Alvera Lewis we may keep our prayers current. Thank You!
. . . . Ernie Roberts would like to thank everyone + + + + + + + + + + +
for the love and support shown him through the
many cards and phone calls he has received. The Prayer Chain is led by Martie Gates. To
have your prayer concerns placed on the Prayer
+ + + + + + + + + + Chain please call Martie at 623-3970, or the church
office at 342-0069. Prayer concerns can also be
CELEBRATING a directed to the Prayer Fellowship Group, led by
MARCH BIRTHDAY: Joan Ulmer and Richard Dinda.
02 Joanne Schram, Joy Murphy The Prayer Group meets following worship
04 Pete Asaro on the first & third Sunday of the month for usually
09 Ryan Knoblock less than an hour. During this time they share with
10 Wayne Nelson, Bonnie Eldridge one another the prayer requests received on the pew
13 Joan Ulmer, Emily Boucher cards from worshippers as well as any other
16 Kay Landfair, Donna Thurn concerns they have become aware of.
18 Chuck Whitfield, Alex Ridderbos Anyone wishing to be a part of this ministry
19 Lori Knoblock is welcome to attend these prayer meetings. Direct
23 Tonya Rodriguez questions to Joan (382-0871).
25 Carole Davis
-5-
