FROM A BISHOP: Looking at Scripture - “An appeal to God for a good conscience”
Reflections on the Sunday scriptures during Lent come from a devotional written by leaders of the Lutheran and Anglican churches in the United States and Canada. 
This week’s reflection is written by Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Anglican Church of Canada.
Use the picture if and only if you think it would be meaningful.
[This Sunday,] in the midst of two stories we know so well, the story of Noah and the flood and the story of Jesus and his baptism, we hear in the First Letter of Peter some teaching about the nature of our baptism. He speaks of it “not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience through Christ.” [1 Peter 3:18-22]
Lent is a time for us to be especially mindful of any and every arrogance reflecting the thought that some peoples are superior to others. I speak of the sins of racism, ethnic cleansing, and government-enforced policies of assimilation designed “to remake others in our image.”
Lent is a season to confess these sins against our brothers and sisters. It is a time to correct attitudes, words, and actions, blatant or subtle that perpetuate them. It is a time to forge new relationships grounded in our baptismal vow to strive for justice and peace among all people.
To quote First Peter, Lent is a season of “appeal to God for a good conscience,” cleansed of the sins of prejudice, and cleared for respect and affection, one for another in accord with the Gospel we proclaim.
FROM THE PASTOR: Looking at Life Together - Taking a Different Tone During Lent
Although we spend much of the year denying and running from our own brokenness and weakness, we spend the 40 days of Lent returning to God. We change our tone, admitting that we can’t do it alone and that we need God. Read through the purple “Lent at Hosanna!” page to see how you can grow closer to the God who gives you all that you cannot give yourself.
To help is reorient ourselves during Lent, our worship also takes a different tone. We change the colors to a penitent purple, and sing songs that are more reflective than they are joyful. Keenly aware of the ways we’ve fallen short, we refrain from signing or shouting “Alleluia,” as if we’ve accomplished our own salvation. Instead, we focus on asking for forgiveness and grace by singing the kyrie eleison, which in Greek means “Lord, have mercy.” We remember that God makes sacrifices for us as we sing “Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world . . .”
Just as we tend to fall back to what we know to find comfort when we are grieving, stressed, or tired, we do the same in worship. We use the words of confession and the musical setting of worship that is most familiar to many Lutherans. We return to using the traditional version of the Lord’s Prayer.
Although the tone of Lent can sometimes feel depressing, I hope and pray that instead you find it causes you to reflect deeply, find quiet comfort, and look for hope as we make our way together toward the joy of Easter.
Real Bread--Because Jesus’ Gift is Real
Although Communion wafers are just small and simple pieces of unleavened bread, they can feel (and taste) very unbreadlike. In order to help us remember that Jesus’ gift of his body and blood is real and genuine, we’re using a loaf of bread in place of the usual wafers throughout Lent. We are baking this bread ourselves, and have committed to making it without gluten, soy, milk, cane sugar, peanuts, and tree nuts. However, Jesus will be fully present!.
Wartburg College Concert Thank You
Thank you to hosts, cooks, ushers, coordinators, and all who made it possible for the Wartburg College musicians to share their music with us last weekend. If you missed the concert and would like to listen to a recording, please speak with Pastor Mike or call the church office.
WELCA ~ March Meeting
WELCA will meet at the home of Karen Orrill this month. For more information, see Karen or Robbin Musgrave.
Easter Flowers
We will begin taking orders for Easter flowers next week. This years cost will be $7 per plant. For more information, see Robbin Musgrave.
Adult Sunday - Forgiveness: Finding Peace through Letting Go
· March 10-March 31
· 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. Though insights can grow deeper if you are able to be present every week, it is not required to participate.
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.
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.
In Our Prayers:
Celebrations
Wartburg College Musicians - thankful for their gifts and volunteers (3/3)
Lenten Season - blessing for our 40-day journey and deepened relationship with God (3/6)
Birthdays
- Cora Rodick 3/11
- Colin Bruggeman 3/12
- Janet Anderson 3/13
- Kathryn McCallister 3/13
- Liam Cobb 3/15
- Adam Cobb 3/15
- Gwendolyn Krueger 3/17
Anniversaries
- Marty Berggren & Scott Hall 3/10
- Dan & Nona Anderson 3/12
- Dan & Angie Luellen 3/15
Sympathy
Roger Osbourn (Russ Bollhoefer’s step-father) - died Feb. 11 (2/12)
Keven Denver (Mindy Denver’s brother) - died Feb. 28 (2/28)
Deborah Canuteson (John’s niece) - died last week (3/3)
Concerns
Louise Ahrens - Lymphoma treatment (3/2)
Jim Cox (friend of Mary Kunkel) - recovering from cancer surgery (3/4)
Kailey Hamilton (relative of Petersons) - on life support (3/1)
Cynthia Zipprich - recovering from pneumonia (3/1)
Sherry & Darrel (friends of Beth Schoening) - experiencing life altering health issues (2/28)
Kim Berry - recovering from foot surgery, with heart concerns (2/25)
Cindy Plesko - broke wrist (2/19)
Wayne Simpson - friend of Mary Kunkel recovering from lung cancer (2/17)
Tom Anderson - gaining strength 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)
Ongoing
Janet Baken - receiving care at Ashton Court
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