FROM A BISHOP: Looking at Scripture - “The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people”
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 Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the ELCA
The story of the serpents in the wilderness is intriguing (Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-21). The people of God had been rescued from slavery in Egypt and were making the long circuitous way to the promised land. The initial euphoria of freedom had worn off and they grew impatient. They spoke against God and Moses, trusting more in human sense than God’s faithfulness, trusting above all else their construct of reality. This never ends well.
In their panic and pain the people pleaded for deliverance. God rescued Israel, not so much from poisonous serpents, but from Israel’s own faithless and poisonous rebellion that had appeared long before the snakes. In that faithlessness, Israel had set itself against God. Israel’s rescue was a restored relationship with God, not simply escaping the snakes. The symbol of their salvation was a fiery serpent—a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole. The very image of suffering and death was also the image of life and salvation.
I have read Numbers several times and there is no indication that the serpents ever left. The plague of serpents remained an ongoing threat and the raised bronze serpent an ongoing reminder to turn to God’s healing power. This is what intrigues me, the word for fiery serpents is seraphim. Seraphim – the same angels who, with the cherubim, attend God. Could the snake angels be fiery guardian angels who bring us back to the truth that left to our own devices we are helpless and sometimes dangerous?
In the ELCA March 10 was the commemoration of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. Both women devoted their lives to dismantling the sinful human construct of racism. Harriet Tubman was called Moses. She led her people to freedom. Sojourner Truth spoke with a fiery passion that bit deep into the false world order that propped up slavery. They were seraphim. We need seraphim today.
FROM THE PASTOR: Looking at Life Together - Financial Update
As we discussed out budget for the year, the congregation expressed a desire to talk more about our shared finances. We’re about a quarter of the way through the year, so now is a good time to look at the numbers. Here’s where we stand:
- Offering year-to-date (toward the budget): $55,753
- Budget year-to-date (% of the budget for % of the year): $59,572
Here’s what that tells us: We are still a bit behind of our budget for the year. A lot of snow this winter didn’t help. On the bright side, we’ve had about $3,500 more offering income than we had this time last year. That is a positive sign. Though we might run most of the year at a deficit, year-end giving tends to catch us up a bit. Pair this with the fact that expenses have been under budget so far this year, and we’re doing okay. We’re not in bad shape, but we do need to keep it up.
It’s also important to keep in perspective that people have given nearly $7,000 to the parking lot in 2019 (it’s not included in the numbers above). Thank you so much for your generosity to both the parking lot and the general ministry of the congregation. And thank you to those who have been cleaning and doing other work that has allowed us to save on expenses.
Holy Week at Hosanna!
Dan’s on Vacation! No Choir Rehearsal this Sunday
Dan is taking a well deserved weekend off so Jean Morehouse will be providing music for this Sunday. Thank you, Jean, for sharing your gift with us!
There will be no Adult or Junior Choir rehearsals on Sunday, March 31st.
Rehearsals will resume on April 7th.
We’ve Reached Our Fundraising Goal!!!
With the final fundraising push, we have met our goal! In the past 2 weeks, we’ve raised an additional $3,203, bringing the total given to $16,986. With school athletic use and proceeds from selling the 104th Street right-of-way, we have $134 beyond the contracted cost for the work. Any funds we receive beyond the contracted cost will be used for additional unexpected expenses, replacing worn parking lot signage and lighting, or reducing the sale proceeds we use. 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 entry and center section is anticipated to be done this week.
Crack-filling, sealing, and striping to be done in May or June.
Wednesday Evenings in Lent
Join us for these weekly Lenten activities through April 10:
- Soup Supper at 5:45 - Eat anytime up until 6:45. Sign up by the kitchen to cook.
- Conversation at 6:15 - Sharing our faith stories
- Holden Evening Prayer at 7:00 - Calm your heart and mind
Get Ready for Hosanna! Day, April 14
On Palm Sunday, April 14, we’ll celebrate our second annual Hosanna! Day after worship. This is a great event for all ages to think about their faith, share conversation over a meal, have some fun, make some memories, and take something home with them. We’ll have an egg hunt journey with Jesus, rustic Hosanna! sign-making, animals to pet, and more! A sign-up is in the fellowship hall for bringing food for the meal. However, if you’d like to help prepare the meal, run the activities, or come up with a fun game, please speak with Pastor Mike. Please also consider inviting family, friends, and neighbors to join us for worship and the festivities!
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 spring, please speak with 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.
Easter Flowers
Order forms for Easter Flowers are in today’s bulletin and here. This years cost is $7 per plant. For more information, see Robbin Musgrave.
Tom Anderson Memorial Service
Hosanna! founding member Tom Anderson died Friday, March 15 at home with his family. We extend our Christian sympathy to Tom's wife Phyllis, son Tommy and Janet Anderson, daughter Cindy and Mike Plesko, and son Dan and Nona Anderson.
A memorial service was held at Hosanna! on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 10:00.
Doug and Dawn Moving
 Members Doug Pontius and Dawn Refsell have moved to Iowa, where Doug has a new job. Sunday, March 24 was their last regular Sunday at Hosanna! We pray and trust that God goes with them, and will bless their new home and this new chapter in their lives. Their new address is 4811 SE 104th St., Runnells, IA 50237.
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.
Pantry Collection for In As Much Ministry
Don’t forget that we collect food for the In As Much food pantry the first Sunday of each month. Located just off Church Rd., south of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, the ministry serves hungry residents of the Clay County area on Thursdays and Saturdays. If you’d like to contribute, please bring your non-perishable items and place them in the red wagon by Sunday, April 7.
Adult Sunday Updates
· The adult Sunday school wraps up their series on forgiveness this Sunday.
· If you are interested in the topic of forgiveness, but haven’t been able to attend Sunday school, talk to Pastor Mike about borrowing the book and video used in the class.
· There will be no adult Sunday school April 7, 14, and 21 due to Hosanna! Day, Easter, and planning for them.
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.
Save the Date: April 7th
Please set April 7 after coffee hour, as a time to discuss the property and what upkeeps that we might need to tackle. While helping to clean the church, I get to see things that need attentions and well as new things that appear and need fixing. A list of items will be listed as well as how much we will be allowed to spend. A reminder we have a tight budget and will need to stay within.
Election Day
Tuesday, April 7th is Election Day in Kansas City and Clay County. Hosanna! will once again serve as a polling place.
If you would like to provide some treats to the poll workers and voters, please drop of your treats by Tuesday in the kitchen. Help spread that Hosanna! hospitality!
Help Keep Hosanna! Clean
Reminder that we do not have a cleaning company to help shine this great place. Council had set up three teams. There will be weeks that is spot cleaned and then others weekends that get a good mopping and wiping down. If you can put a hour in the detail cleaning days that would be great. It there are four to five people on those days, time goes by quickly and can have the church knocked out in two to two and a half hours. You don't need to stay with that team but whatever fits your schedule. The more the merrier. Please see Ryan Herman, Chris Jung, or Justin Noel. Or you can ask me Scott Schmidt. Please come and help the team keep the shine. Thank you.
Visit an Old Friend
Tom Willet, long time friend to Hosanna! has reached out and asked that we share his contact information with you. He would love a visit or phone call so
if you’re in the area, stop by and say Hi! Tom is located just west of Liberty Hospital at:
Liberty Health and Wellness
2201 Glenn Hendren, Rm 127
Liberty MO, 64068
His phone number is 816.516.153
In Our Prayers
Celebrations
Abby Schott & Colin O’Leary engaged to be married (3/17)
Arrival of Spring
Birthdays
- Ryan Eickman 3/31
- Ben Oprinovich 3/2
- Sandy Bauer 3/6
Sympathy
Family of Dalton “D-Ray” Hanna (friend of Sam Schoening) lost cancer battle (3/26)
Family of Tom Anderson - charter member of Hosanna died Mar. 15 (3/15)
Family of Mike Senfert (friend/co-worker of Beth Schoening) - died 3/17 (3/18)
Concerns
Steve Harnish (son to Art & Shirley), recovering from surgery March 27 (3/26)
Fran Lantz - foot issues related to diabetes (3/26)
Flooding victims
Steven Goins - surgery on Friday (3/17)
Susan Anderson (Abby Schott’s grandma) - declining health due to dementia complications (3/17)
Trinka - (Abby Schott) tragic loss of a friend (3/17)
Jerry Hiers - friend of Jeanine Stubbs has cancer (3/17)
Scott Hall (Marty Berggren’s husband) - surgery pending further procedures (3/19)
Kim Berry - back issues and other 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) - experiencing life altering health issues (2/28)
Cindy Plesko - broke 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) diagnosed with 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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