THE HOSANNA HERALD
23019 KELLOGG ROAD GRAND RAPIDS, OH PHONE: 419-832-1041 E-MAIL: PASTORJERRYW@GMAIL.COM
MARCH 2007
A FEW THOUGHTS FROM PASTOR JERRY
It is hard for me to believe it has been 2 months already. It seems just like yesterday I was writing the first newslatter article. Well we are beginning Lent this week and I have been reflecting on who I am and who we are and where we are going. Are we ready to go the road less travelled and venture into the unknown, or are we going to go about this safe and easy? I say this for many reasons. I have been thinking about issues, worship, who we are and who we welcome here. I found a document on the computer called Who is Welcome Here? I have read this and wonder about its origin, and if this is SPECIAL POINTS OF really what we all think here? I know that Pastor David wrote this document. I am going to quote INTEREST: part of this document, the part that says who is welcome here. “We want it to be known that those of different nationality, ethnicity, culture and heritage are welcome here. We want it to be known † March Thank Offering. that those who suffer from addiction to drugs and alcohol (whether they are recovering or not) and † Lenten Worship Services their families are welcome here. We want it to be known that women and children are welcome and readings. here and that they will not be harassed or abused. We want it to be known that in this congregation you can bring children to worship and, even if they cry during the entire service, they are welcome † Need for Synod here. We want it to be known that those who are single by choice, by divorce, or through the Assembly. death of a spouse are welcome here. We want it to be known that if you are promiscuous, have had † Inserted Calendar of an abortion, or have fathered children and taken no responsibility for them, you are welcome here. Church Use/Events We want it to be known that gossips, cheats, liars, and their families are welcome here. We want it to be known that those who are disobedient to their parents and who have family problems are † Matt Skitzki’s Recital welcome here. We want it to be known that gays, lesbians, and members of their families are † Hossana’s Webstie welcome here.” Is this really what all of us think, or believe. I know after reading the statement I have no problem saying yes absolutely this is who is welcome here. The problem with me saying that though, is Hosanna is not my church, meaning the Hosanna does not belong to me. None of us can say who is welcome here, because Hosanna is not any of our’s church. Hosanna is one of God’s congregations in His church. We are a part of the body of Christ and what does that mean? It means a lot Inside This of things that we could spend a lot of time working through. In the scope of what I am thinking about Issue here, it means that we can not say who is welcome here. We can not say who is welcome here, because COUNCIL 2 everyone is welcomed into God’s community. We are all welcome, for “we’ve all compiled this long and CORNER sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us,” (Romans 3:23 from The Message). We all need to be here, but that begs the 2 LADIES questions why we are here? RETREAT I am here because God and Hosanna called me to be here, and you are here because you have found MARCH 2 something in this community of faith that draws you here. We are all here for something, but is that part THANK of our humanness, part of our brokenness? The real reason we are all at worship, is because God is worthy OFFERING of our worship. God is worthy of our praise. Worship is about what we can do for God, and what we will 3 PARENTS do for eternity for God. Celebrate at the holy table, and sing praises all the time. Worship is us giving to NIGHT OUT 2 God, and giving Him our time, talent and treasure. Worship is not about what we get, but what we can give. 3 WORSHIP So I am still pondering… NEWS Issues… Worship… Who we are… But I have to say that all are welcome here, because God welcomes everyone, and we should to. LENT SCHEDULE OF READINGS FAITH FRIENDS Back Page News 3
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Council Corner Council will meet this month at 6:30 PM on Thursday March 15th. As always, you are invited to bring them your compliments and your concerns. Please keep council in your prayers as they fulfill their calling to serve God and the church in this way.
Rory Hartbarger Mark Strang Karen Herzberg Debbie Gensler Bernie Hockman Samantha Layne Deb Mendieta Skip Teeple Karen Zapiecki
419-877-9942 419-353-1047 419-878-0817 419-832-4001 419-592-9278 419-832-0218 419-832-4181 419-832-1022
President Vice-President Secretary/Evangelism/Fellowship Worship Property Evangelism/Fellowship Worship Property Education
Thank Offering for March will go to
Concert at Community of Christ Church in Whitehouse: March 25 at 4:00 PM the Detroit Handbell ensemble will be at Community of Christ Church in Whitehouse. This will be a great event of wonderful music for all ages.
Diapers
The Otsego Area Food Pantry is looking for congregations to sponser different items the pantry usually has in stock. For instance the Prebyterian church sponsers gas vouchers for up to $20. We have decided that our March thank you offering will be given to the Otsego Area Food Pantry ear marked for them to setup a voucher program for diapers. This will allow the people coming in needing diapers to get the size they need, rather than having to worry if the size they need will be available. It will also allow the pantry to use the funds they have for food and other needs of the community. If you are not sure how big an expense diapers can be for a family, ask any family in our congregation that has children and I am sure they will share how big of an expense it can be. This is just one more way we at Hosanna can help the communiyt we live in.
Synod Assembly We are still in need of a male representative from our congregation to go to Synod Assembly with Deb G. and Pastor Jerry. Assembly is Friday May 18th, starting at 9:00 AM and goes until Saturday May 19th, ending at 3:00 PM, in Bowling Green. If interested please see a member of council or Pastor Jerry.
LADIES RETREAT
A Journey to Wholeness in Christ A New Way Of Living Do you feel distracted, fragmented, overwhelmed, unfulfilled or feel something is missing in your life? Then come with an expectant heart on Saturday March 10th (8:30 – 3:00) to discover this new way of living. Through the powerful teaching of God's word; you will discover how to tap into the power of God in making new choices in your life; work on matters of the heart; develop an action plan and leave the day celebrating the new life God has waiting for you. If you are interested in this please contact Karen at 419-878-0817.
Matt Skitzki will perform his Senior Recital on Sunday March 25th at 6 PM in Bryan Recital Hall at BGSU. Let’s support Matt by being at his recital. http://www.letssaythanks.com To send a free card to someone serving in our armed forces over seas, simply go to this site, pick the card and Xerox mails it off.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT 2!!
Need a babysitter for your Children? Shellie McCann and several of our youth our offering another evening of watching your children, they will have activities for youngsters so that you as parents can have a night out to refresh your marriage which is a needed thing. On MArch 17th from 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM this group will be at the church. So go out for St Patrick’s Day and have some fun with just your spouse. Please see Shellie McCann for more information.
FAITH FRIENDS
Blake Boston & Don Grimm Tedi Gensler & Nancy Wright Alison Graham & Deb Mendieta Hanna Gruelich & Jeanne Vollmar Dallas Keifer & Jim Kutchenriter Chris McCann & Bernie Hockman Deanna McCann & Kathy Teeple Olivia Renkel & Gloria Kutchenriter Hannah Strang & Karen Herzberg Eva Weigel & Valeria Rickenberg Cody Wright & Bruno Mendieta Kyle Wright & Rory Hartbarger Brian Zapiecki & Ray Wright Trevor Zapiecki & Dick Henning
WORSHIP NEWS
Lenten Devotional worship begins on February 28th at 7 PM, with a light meal at 6 PM. Come join for evening prayer, song, and spiritual reflection. We will focus on the Two Roads of Life both Sundays and Wednesday nights looking at different road passages of the bible. See the chart below for readings for the upcoming lenten series. Worship Committee will meet Thursday March 8th at 6:30. Please join us if you would like to discuss or have input on Worship at Hosanna
Readings for Lenten Worship Services
Date 2/21/2007 2/25/2007 2/28/2007 3/4/2007 3/7/2007 3/11/2007 3/14/2007 3/18/2007 3/21/2007 3/25/2007 3/28/2007 Day Ash Wednesday First Sunday First Wednesday Second Sunday Second Wednesday Third Sunday Third Wednesday Fourth Sunday Fourth Wednesday Fifth Sunday Fifth Wednesday Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Philippians3:4b14 Genesis 15:112, 17-18 Numbers 22:2240 Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:174:1 First Joel 2:1-2, 1217 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm Psalm 51 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Second 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Romans 10:8b13 Gospel Matthew 6:16, 16-21 Luke 4:1-13 Mark 1:1-8 Luke 13:31-35 Road Road to Humility Road to Truth Road to Follow Road of Danger Road to Ride Road of Judgment Road of Destruction Road Back Home Road of Light Road of Anticipation Road Together Road of the Cross Road of Service
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9 Matthew 7:1329 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Acts 9:1-31 John 12:1-8 Luke 24:13-35
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
4/1/2007 4/5/2007 4/6/2007
Isaiah 50:4-9a Exodus 12:1-14 Isaiah 52:1353:12
Psalm 31:9-16 Psalm 116:12, 12-19 Psalm 22
Philippians 2:511 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Hebrews 10:1625
Luke 22:1423:56 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 John 18:119:42
Discussion Time…
How about a potluck group meeting? How about discussion on issues we are facing as a congregation? I have been pondering with some of you about getting groups together to talk about the issue of who is welcome in worship. I believe any problem that arises in this congregaiton can and should be dealt with through communicaiton. Plus we can arrive at a better solution to the issue if we are all involved. If you would be interested in a small group discussion on the issue of who is welcome in worship please let me know, or one of the council members know and we will let you know when these cottage meetings will take place. Communication is the key to any and all problems.
Web Site!!
Hosanna now has a website. It contains information on the upcoming Lenten Devotional series, as well as an interactive calendar. Please check out the website and give us your input. It mainly has contact information, and directions at this point. This will be an effective outreach to the community. See what it has o offer at http://www.wcnet.org~hosanna
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e-mail devotional?
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I was thinking of starting a thought for the day kind of thing, and was wondering if anyone might be interested in receiving this in their email box? If you would be interested in this please send me an email at pastorjerryw@gmail.com indicating your interest.
Gospel Jam
Sunday March 4th at McClure United Methodist Church, 7 PM until musicians out number listeners.