This Sunday at Elim:
March 10
Worship Services
9:00 a.m. and 10:40 a.m
- Scripture: Matthew 18:15-35
- Meditation: '"The Power of Forgiveness"
Sunday at Elim
9:00 a.m. Worship
10:00 a.m. Sunday School— upstairs in Rooms 6 and 10
10:05 a.m. Adult Forum—Led by Rev. Paul Krueger, Choir Room
10:40 a.m. Worship
Second Mile Giving: Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
“Second-mile giving” refers to an extra offering toward a special cause. Our second mile giving for the first 2 Sundays in March goes to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, a Christian residential treatment and educational center for at-risk children and their families. The Ranch helps the most troubled, complicated and amazing kids by providing best-in-class psychiatric therapy and trauma-informed care — looking kids in the eye, walking with them, and helping them become their best selves — and is a collaborative ministry of the ELCA, the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, and Lutheran Services in America.
Sunday School
10 a.m., Upstairs, Rooms 6 (Little Lambs/Preschool—2nd) and 10 (Classroom X/3rd—6th)
Sunday School takes place between worship services from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Join us for fun and exploration!
Children attending the 9 a.m. service will be dismissed after the Blessing and will be escorted to Sunday School. Parents can pick them up at 10:45 in Room 10 upstairs.
Children attending the 10:40 a.m. service can be dropped off at 10 a.m. directly at Room 10 and will be brought to worship after announcements.
Guest Speaker THIS Sunday, March 10
Rev. Paul Krueger with Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
On Sunday March 10, Elim will welcome Rev. Paul Krueger, senior development officer of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, North Dakota! Paul will be the guest speaker for both worship services and will be leading the adult forum. The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christian residential treatment and educational center for children and their families. The Ranch is a collaborative ministry of the ELCA, the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, and Lutheran Services in America.
Adult Forum
The Adult Forum for THIS Sunday will be lead by Rev. Paul Krueger.
Little Shepherd Preschool Fundraiser, An Evening in Italy!
March 15, 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.at Hermann Sons Hall
Ticket sales THIS Sunday, March 3 thru March 15
Enjoy an adult night out and help raise money for programs that enrich the children at Little Shepherd Preschool. The evening will feature both silent and live auctions packed with a variety of exciting items, class raffles, food and drink! You can purchase tickets in the Fellowship Hall between services or online. Thank you for your support!
Check out the church calendar and print out your own copy to post at home. CALENDAR
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Reminder, No Sunday School March 17
Due to Spring Break, there will be no Sunday School next week.
Children’s Choir Rehearsal
NEXT Thursday, March 14
The Children’s Choir will practice next Thursday, March 14 at 6:15 p.m. Other rehearsal dates are March 21, 28 and April 11, 18, 25.
The Choir will sing at both services on March 31 and April 28.
URGENT—Drivers Needed for Pantry!
Are you free on Thursday mornings? The Westside Pantry urgently needs your help picking up food from the Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa. Please contact Erin in the office if you are interested or have a truck or van to offer for the drivers’ use. We hope this will be a short-term commitment. Thank you!
Visitation Training
Sunday, March 24 at noon
“Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” – Luke 9:1-2
Following up the visitation conversation last month, we will gather for lunch and training on Sunday, March 24 at noon. Included in this training will be topics of hospice and grief support, listening skills, and thoughts on prayer and communion. Everyone interested in these topics and Elim’s visitation ministry is invited to attend!
Gems of Elim Project: Seeking Interviewers!
We are excited to share that the “Gems of Elim” project is being relaunched this spring. In 2007, all Elim women ages 75 plus were interviewed and their faith and life stories were chronicled in the “Gems of Elim” booklet. A celebratory luncheon was held to honor all Gems. It’s time to begin again!
All are invited to help interview the Elim Gems. Please come to a “Gems of Elim” informational meeting on Sunday, April 28. There will be two meeting opportunities, 10:15 between services, and 11:45 after the second service. At this meeting, we’ll talk about the interview process and get things started. Please come and be part of this fun and inspiring project to honor the lives of many who are such an important part of the Elim community. For questions, please contact Susan Rodkin.
New Custodial Contract
After careful discernment, Elim’s Leadership Team decided to enter into contract with iClean Express to provide janitorial services for Elim. As a result, Redwood Building Maintenance Company is no longer with us. Please keep our new custodial relationship with iClean Express in your prayers.
Thank You
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Pastor Torbit and all of your church members for your very generous gift for the Faith Fund for Hope from your recent Second Mile Giving Program. Your support makes a tremendous difference to our small organization and allows us to subsidize even more visits for those unable to afford the therapy they need. This, along with your earlier Endowment Fund grant, will enable us to help so many of our neighbors in need in the coming year.
We will be faithful stewards of your gifts to help those who come to Hope for Christian-based marriage and family counseling.
With sincere thanks, Diane Olson
Executive Director, Hope Counseling Services
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HAPPENING BEFORE THIS SUNDAY
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Grant Application Deadline, TODAY, March 7
The Endowment Committee's next meeting will be March 11. If you or a non-profit would like to apply for a grant, please take an application from the Endowment Box (in the Welcome Area) or apply online at elimpetaluma.org/grant by TODAY, March 7. If you have any questions, please contact Endowment Chair, Laine Gen.
We can award grants to projects within the church or to non-profits for the following causes: outreach into the community; Educational projects within our church such as “God’s Work, Our Hands” and the Reformation dinner; Outreach of faith to support churches worldwide or care for the faithful (such as support of the New Life Band's school in Tanzania); Enhancements to Worship; Facility modifications; or Response to Disasters, such as last year's fires.
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HAPPENING BEFORE NEXT EXPRESS
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Renew – Wednesday’s During Lent
Sometimes things can feel stagnant, dried up, and connection can be spotty. Our faith reminds us of a God who is near us in the drought, in the wilderness and in the struggle for connection. This lent we will think about what renewal might look like for each of us. Elements such as prayer, community, grace, hope, service, and working for justice and peace remain at the heart of our Jesus faith and invite us to let them be our guides.
We’ll gather on Wednesday nights in the Fellowship Hall for soup suppers from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; cleanup is from 6:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and a meditative worship follows at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come for some, come for all. All are welcome!
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| MONDAY 3/11 |
Endowment Committee Meeting
7:00 p.m., Fireside Room |
| TUESDAY 3/12 |
Esther Circle
12:00 p.m., Offsite
Exploring the Story Bible Study
7:00 p.m., Choir Room |
| WEDNESDAY 3/13 |
Leadership Team Meetings
4:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.
Chancel Choir
5:30 p.m., Choir Room
Soup Supper
6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall
Lenten Meditative Worship
7:00 p.m., Sanctuary |
| THURSDAY 3/14 |
Grace Friendship Circle
12:00 p.m., Back of church
Little Shepherd Fundraiser Meeting
5:30 p.m., Nursery
Westside Interfaith Food Pantry
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
St. John’s Episcopal hosts.
Please arrive at 4 p.m. to volunteer.
Children’s Choir Rehearsal
6:15 p.m., Sanctuary
Festival Choir Rehearsal
7:00 p.m. to 9;00 p.m. |
| FRIDAY 3/15 |
Little Shepherd Fundraiser
An Evening in Italy!
6:30 p.m. —10:00 p.m.
Hermann Sons Hall |
| SATURDAY 3/16 |
Men’s Ministry Breakfast
8:00 a.m., Kitchen
Crafters Brunch Bunch
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Room 1 |
| SUNDAY 3/17 |
Worship: 9:00 a.m. & 10:40 a.m. |
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| 10 |
Mary Ellen Duerre |
| 12 |
Nancy McLean |
| 13 |
Art Cooper |
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Don De Jong |
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Glen Hunsicker |
| 14 |
Kalen Clemmens |
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Jeania Malaise |
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Janet Silverberg |
| 16 |
Kevin Hart |
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Grady King |
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Chris Mulhall |
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Why church? Why give?
Many today are asking the questions –“Why church?” “Why give?” This March during worship you will hear testimony from various Elim members sharing why they continue to be a part of Elim, participate, and give.
New Adult Forum, “Faith Practices”
Starting Sunday, March 17 at 10 a.m.
It’s your lucky day! The adult forum will kick off a seven week video series called “Faith Practices” on Sunday March 17. Prayer, food, worship, sacraments, money, service, and community are topics we will explore. All are welcome!
Sunday School Schedule
The Sunday School schedule goes through May 19, then will recess for the summer. There will be No Sunday School on the following dates: March 17 (Spring Break), April 21 (Easter)
Other notable dates: Easter Egg Hunt on April 14; Mother’s Day combined classes on May 12; Last-day celebration on May 19 in the Fellowship Hall.
Aebleskeiver Breakfast
Saturday, March 23, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
If you are interested in helping with plans for the Aebleskiver Breakfast, please contact Carol Mayo. Look for the sign up sheet on the bulletin board facing the Sanctuary doors.
Children’s Choir Upcoming Dates
Worship and Rehearsal Dates
The Children’s Choir will sing at both services on March 31 and April 28. Parents, please note rehearsals will take place on Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. on the following dates: March 14, 21, 28 and April 11, 18, 25.
Volunteers Needed!
- Waves of Grace is looking for singers and instrumentalists to perform occasionally at the 10:40 am service. With the new weekly format, we would love to dip into the Elim talent pool. Practices are on Thursday nights from 7-9 pm. Please contact Nathan Widger or Cathe Kiler.
Speaking of volunteering...we have a special page on our website for anyone who wants to volunteer: elimpetaluma.org/volunteer We are looking forward to hearing from you!
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LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITY
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Lutheran Disaster Response - Urgent: U.S. Tornadoes
On March 3, powerful tornadoes hit Alabama, Georgia and Florida, causing widespread destruction. In Lee County, Ala., 23 people have died. More than 1,000 homes have been damaged. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with those in the impacted states, including partnering with congregations in the Southeastern Synod to respond with immediate relief.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for “U.S. tornadoes" will be used to help those affected by tornadoes until the response is complete. Together, we can support those who are on the long road to recovery. Please give today.
Remember to Allocate 2018 Thrivent Choice Dollars
Deadline March 31, 2019
Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have Choice Dollars available have until March 31, 2019 to direct any remaining 2018 Choice Dollars. Help support your congregation or another eligible organization of your choice. The outreach funding eligible organizations have received from Thrivent Financial through this program is continuing our important mission. Click here to learn more or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt. Thank you for your support!
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Contact Us
OFFICE HOURS — Mon.—Thurs., 9 a.m. to noon; and from noon to 2 p.m. by appointment
Phone: (707) 762-4081 Address: 504 Baker Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
Check out our website: www.elimpetaluma.org
Main email address: office@elimpetaluma.org (for prayers, articles, information)
Barb Villa, Bulletin Production & Ministry Scheduler
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Thank you for reading this week's Elim Express!
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