FROM A BISHOP: Looking at Scripture - “Purge me from my sin”
Reflections 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, of the Anglican Church of Canada
Today we hear of the promise of a new covenant written not on stone but in our hearts. We hear Jesus speaking of being lifted up from the earth, and then buried in it that he might become in truth the first fruit of a redeemed humanity.
While these texts invite us to look ahead to Holy Week and Easter, the Psalm of the day actually calls us back to the very beginning of our Lenten journey. “Create in me a clear heart O God,” cries the Psalmist. “Renew a right spirit within me” (verse 11). At the heart of his prayer is this petition, “purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure, wash me and I shall be clean indeed.” (verse 8)
Lent is a time for purging all that mars our common humanity and our common home, the earth itself.
One of the worst crimes against humanity is the trafficking of women, men and children for labours in which their dignity and human rights are violated. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares, “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.” Seventy years later to the shame of the world there are more than 40 million people who are victims of the sex trade, abusive domestic servitude, organized crime and exploitative forms of labour as migrant workers.
Lent is a time to forge partnerships with other Churches, people of other faith traditions and governments, local and national in purging our world of this crime, “to spot it and to stop it”.
FROM THE PASTOR: Looking at Life Together - Don’t Miss Hosanna! Day
God has blessed us--through Jesus’ actions during Holy Week and through the community of this congregation. We celebrate both of those blessings next Sunday, April 14 during worship and afterwards with our second annual Hosanna! Day festivities.
During worship, we’ll wave palms and sings songs of joy. We’ll turn to God and remember that our celebrations come with a price--one that God willing is willing to pay, because we are precious to God.
After worship, we’ll share a meal. It’s a great time to connect with others in the congregation. Brunch will be served with lots of delicious options, no matter your dietary needs. Most of the food will be prepared, so there’s a sign-up in the fellowship hall for members to bring other parts of this meal. You are welcome to eat, even if you don’t bring food.
After the meal, we’ll have lots of activities for adults and children to think about their faith and have some fun. We’ll have an egg hunt journey with Jesus, rustic Hosanna! sign-making, stations of the cross, bunnies to pet, crafts, and more! If you have an idea for an activity, we’d love to add it to the fun.
Whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, like to play or like to sit and talk, we hope you’ll be able to join us for this special occasion in the life of our congregation. This event is open to everyone, so please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us for worship and the festivities!
Fill the Wagon! Food Share this Sunday
Bring non-perishables this Sunday to fill the food wagon! All donations will go to the In As Much Food Pantry helping to feed over 900 families in the Liberty area.
Kansas City Metro Men’s Chorus
The KCMMC will perform at Second Baptist Church in Liberty on Sunday, April 7th at 4pm. This is a free concert open to the public with a free will offering collected for In As Much Ministry.
For more information, see Cynthia Zipprich or the flyer by the kitchen.
Grief Group Meeting April 7
The grief group will meet Sunday, April 7 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.
We’ve Reached Our Fundraising Goal!!!
With the final fundraising, we have exceeded our goal for the parking lot. Any funds received beyond the contracted cost will be used for unanticipated repair costs, replacing worn parking lot signage and lighting, or reducing the funds we use from the sale of the 104th St. right of way. Thank you for your generosity in helping us do this needed work. Every household that donated may pick a prayer cross from the box in the fellowship hall. Resurfacing of the and center section is anticipated to be done soon. Crack-filling, sealing, and striping will be done in May or June.
Property Meeting
Join us after coffee hour today to discuss the property and other upkeeps needed around the church. While helping to clean the church, I get to see things that need attention as well as new things that appear that need fixing. A list of items will be listed as well as an estimate of cost to keep us within our budget.
Lunch Bunch
Join us at the Liberty Olive Garden this month!
Tuesday, April 16th at 11:30. See you there!
Update to Church Key List
As we have many people who have access to the church, we occasionally update our list on who has a key to the church. Please email or contact Cathy in the office if you have a key or know someone who does so that we can update you with information about our alarm system. This is important information that you will want to have. Thank you for your help.
First Communion Invitation
Jesus welcomes the faithful to be a part of the Lord’s Supper. Each spring, we provide an opportunity for children who aren’t communing to learn about this special meal and to receive their First Communion.
If your child would like to participate this, see Pastor Mike or send an e-mail to pastormike@hosannalutheranchurch.org.
Hosanna! does not have an age requirement for First Communion, but rather we trust children and families to know when the time is right for them. Many families at Hosanna! find this happens around Kindergarten or First Grade, though some begin earlier and others later. If you would like help determining if that time is now, please speak with Pastor Mike and/or pick up the handout on the counter behind the table in the entryway.
Adult Sunday Updates
- If you want to explore forgiveness, but haven’t been able to attend the Sunday school discussion, talk to Pastor Mike about borrowing the book and video used in the class, or get a copy of “The Book of Forgiving” by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
- There will be no adult Sunday school April 7, 14, and 21 due to Hosanna! Day, Easter, and planning for them.
April Sunday School for Kids
- There will be no Sunday school for kids on April 14 due to the Hosanna! Day celebrations.
- No Sunday school on Easter, April 21.
- Regular Sunday school will resume April 28.
- Join us for a conversation about Vacation Bible School after Sunday school classes on Sunday, April 28. We’ll meet in the front entryway (by the nursery) to discuss whether to hold VBS this summer and who might be willing to offer leadership if we do.
Help Keep Hosanna! Clean
Council has set up three teams to keep Hosanna clean. Some weeks will be spot cleaning and then others will be a deeper cleaning. We’re looking for more people. Just four to five people putting in an hour or two here and there throughout the week would make a huge difference. And many hands will make the work feel light! Pick a time that fits your schedule. Hours are totally flexible.
See Ryan Herman, Chris Jung, Justin Noel or Scott Schmidt. Please come and help the team keep the shine. Thank you.
In Our Prayers
Celebrations
The arrival of Spring!
Birthdays
- Carla Betsworth 4/10
- Kay McCracken 4/10
- Carter Erickson 4/11
- Fran Lantz 4/12
- Tony Musgrave 4/13
Anniversaries
Sympathy
Family of Dalton “D-Ray” Hanna (friend of Sam Schoening) lost cancer battle (3/26)
Concerns
Robbin Musgrave hospitalized with severe stomach ulcer, now recovering (4/1)
Debi (friend of Jean Morehouse) healing (3/31)
Samantha (3/31)
Steve Harnish (son of Art & Shirley) recovering from surgery March 27 (3/26)
Fran Lantz - foot issues related to diabetes (3/26)
Flooding victims
Steven Goins - recovering from hand and arm surgery March 22 (3/17)
Susan Anderson (Abby Schott’s grandma) dementia complications (3/17)
Trinka (Abby Schott) tragic loss of a friend (3/17)
Jerry Hiers (friend of Jeanine Stubbs) cancer (3/17)
Scott Hall (Marty Berggren’s husband) surgery pending further procedures (3/19)
Kim Berry back issues, health concerns (3/13)
John Draggey - brain cancer (3/10)
Louise Ahrens - has began chemotherapy for lymphoma (3/20)
Jim Cox (friend of Mary Kunkel) recovering from cancer surgery (3/4)
Sherry & Darrel (friends of Beth Schoening) health issues (2/28)
Cindy Plesko broken wrist (2/19)
Wayne Simpson (friend of Mary Kunkel) recovering from lung cancer (2/17)
Randi (Rika Heruth’s sister) cancer (2/21)
Brady Barnes (friend of Jeanine Stubbs) Hodgkin's lymphoma (2/3)
Nora Prom (Dan Prom’s cousin) ovarian cancer (1/27)
Ongoing
Janet Baken - receiving care at Ashton Court
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