Looking at Scripture - Sleepy Disciples
I can really relate to the disciples in this week’s Gospel (Luke 9:28-43a). Peter and the other disciples are “weighed down with sleep” while Old Testament celebrities Moses and Elijah appear glowing and talking to Jesus. They almost miss it!
Life is exhausting, but being a disciple is even more so. There’s all the healing, catering for 5,000 people, battling demons, listening to Jesus preach day after day, loving enemies (when you really don’t want to), and much, much more.
Though discipleship today is different (we don’t have to walk everywhere), it’s still exhausting. It’s hard staying positive, being active in the church, loving enemies, and supporting others. There are times we’d rather just hide out at home, be grumpy, judge others, and stay comfortable. Nonetheless, we shake off our lethargy and step out of our comfort zones, trusting that we will see amazing things and joyful that we get to participate in God’s life-changing work.
Looking at Life Together - Give Up to Give Away
“Giving up” something for Lent is a modern version of fasting--a discipline of focusing more on God than ourselves. Giving up something for Lent isn’t a bad plan, but we tend to make it about proving something to God or giving up some vice--both of which turn us inward, rather than outward.
This year, give up something that enables you to give away something. Choose something that’s not necessary in your life, in order to use the time or money to give to someone else. Here are some ideas:
- Give up buying a fancy coffee or donut each morning, then donate the money you saved to your favorite charity.
- Wake up 5 minutes earlier and use that time to snuggle or read with your child.
- Spend 5 minutes less on social media or your favorite smartphone game, and use those 5 minutes every day to call someone on the phone or write an encouraging note.
- Leave for work 5 minutes earlier so that you can spend 5 extra minutes asking coworkers how they are and listening to their responses.
- Skip buying dessert or an appetizer when eating out, then add the cost to the tip for the server or put it towards paying for the person who comes after you in line.
- Spend 5 minutes less in the shower or working on your appearance, and use the time to pray for people you know who are sick, hurting, or celebrating.
- Take your meal to work instead of buying it, and use money saved to buy a small gift or treat for someone every day.
These are just some examples, so use your imagination, and go with what God inspires YOU to give up and to give away. Commit to doing it for the 40 days of Lent (Ash Wednesday, March 6 through Easter Sunday, April 21. You might just be surprised what God can do with that little sacrifice, and the difference it makes in your life!
The Wartburg College Concert is this Sunday!
- The 25-member Wartburg Castle Singers and 15-member Kammerstreicher chamber orchestra will offer a concert at Hosanna! at 4:00pm on March 3. Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be collected to support travel costs and scholarships.
- Wartburg College is a college of the Lutheran Church located in Waverly, Iowa with around 1,500 students.
- Members who signed up to host should have received confirmation, the number of guests, and additional information via e-mail.
- Members are welcome to join us for a soup supper a little bit after the concert. A sign up to bring food is located in the fellowship hall.
We Need Your Help!
If you are willing and able, we could use some help right after service today to set up for the soup dinner following the concert tonight. Then following the dinner, we could use your help cleaning up if you could stick around afterwards. The more hands we have helping, the quicker the work will get finished!
Please see Sharon Goins for more information. Thanks everyone!
Grief Group Meeting March 3
The grief group will meet this Sunday, March 3 at 8:30 to share the ups and downs of our journeys. Anyone is welcome to join the group at any time to share griefs old and new. We meet in the 1 Samuel conference room.
Adult Sunday School Plans
- March 3 - No class to focus on hosting Wartburg musicians
- March 10-March 31 - Forgiveness: Finding Peace through Letting Go
Holding on to anger has the power to consume our lives, distort our sense of purpose, and destroy our relationship with God. Pastor Adam Hamilton argues that healing comes when we realize that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves rather than to someone else. Join us for this 4-week study that includes short videos, conversation, and Bible study.
In As Much Ministry/March 3rd
This month’s most requested Pantry items:
Rice sides · Vienna sausage (canned)
Pasta sides · Red beans (canned)
Ramen noodles · Condensed milk
Of course any other nonperishable item would be greatly appreciated. Please put your items in the red wagon by March 3.
To learn more about this ministry, check out their new website: www.inasmuchministry.org or you may contact Cynthia Zipprich at (816) 536-3504 to answer any questions.
Hosanna! Day Planning
We’re planning another Hosanna! Day celebration this year on Palm Sunday, April 14. If you’d like to help with the meal or activities, please speak with Pastor Mike.
Farewell to Bob Johnson
Longtime member Bob Johnson moved to Florida. His new address is Atria Countryside, Apt. 202, 3141 N McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater, FL 33761.
Hand Chime Choir Update
Thank you to everyone who joined the first rehearsal for our new Hand Chime Choir! We will plan to meet this Sunday at 9:10 but will move to our new after Sunday School time on the following Sunday, March 10th. We look forward to hearing hand chimes in worship soon.
2019 Graduates
If you are or have a student graduating this spring, from either high school or college, please let the church office know. We will start collecting the information now so send us names, where the student is graduating from, and what their future plans are. Graduates will be recognized in May.
Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars
· Thrivent Financial members can direct where Thrivent distributes a portion of its charitable funding with “Choice Dollars.”
· Funds need to be directed every year, and those available from previous years expire each March.
· If you are a Thrivent member, direct your dollars to Hosanna! by visiting www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice, calling 800-847-4836, or by talking to your local representative.
Celebrations
Wartburg College Musicians - on tour and performing at Hosanna! (2/28)
Birthdays
- Cale Erickson 3/5
- Judith Wilhite 3/5
- Dan Anderson 3/7
- Grant Baken 3/8
- Kathy Bodenstab 3/8
- Eva Bruggeman 3/8
Anniversaries
- John & Barb Chapman 3/9
- Marty Berggren & Scott Hall 3/10
Sympathy
Henderson Family - for the death and injury of loved ones involved in Friday’s car accidents (2/17)
Roger Osbourn (Russ Bollhoefer’s step-father) - Died Feb. 11 (2/12)
Concerns
Sherry & Darrel (friends of Beth Schoening) - experiencing life altering health issues (2/28)
United Methodist Church - had a difficult and divisive General Conference (2/27)
Kim Berry - recovering from foot surgery, with heart concerns (2/25)
Gunnar Stillwell - newborn hospitalized for breathing issues related to cold (2/25)
Keven Denver (Mindy Denver’s brother) - congestive heart failure, going into hospice. (2/25)
Louise Ahrens - recovering from surgery (2/20)
Cindy Plesko - broke wrist (2/19)
Wayne Simpson - friend of Mary Kunkel recovering from lung cancer (2/17)
Tom Anderson - recovering from influenza at Norterre Estoria (2/4)
Alve Lund (Karen Orrill’s mother) - pneumonia (2/13)
Nathan Maxwell - (Lona Ristine’s grandson) suffering from another flare-up from Crohn’s (2/3)
Randi (Rika Heruth’s sister) - cancer (2/21)
Lois (Rika Heruth’s mother) - recovering from Stroke (1/20)
Brady Barnes - (friend of Jeanine Stubbs) diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma (2/3)
Nora Prom (Dan Prom’s cousin) - ovarian cancer (1/27)
Darlene - diagnosed with lymphoma, beginning chemo (1/11)
Kevin (friend of Mary and Brad Kunkel) - diagnosed with rare blood cancer (12/21)
Galen Grote (grandfather of Geremy Grote) - fighting cancer again (12/21)
Ava Lavenberg - 2-year-old fighting cancer (12/6)
Ongoing
Janet Baken - receiving care at Ashton Court
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