MAY 2014

Page 1 Pastor’s Message

Page 2 Craft Sale

Page 2 Ascension

Page 2 Stephen Ministry

Page 3 LWML

Page 4 Gifts from the Heart

Page 4 Volunteer Opp.

Page 4 Tues. Bible Class

Page 5 Lutheran Chorale

Page 5 LFS

Page 5 Lilies

Page 6 Bd. of Ed.

Page 6 Matthew 25 Fund

Page 6 Mothers

Page 7 Hymn of the Month

Herald

Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

8600 West 38th Avenue Wheat Ridge CO 80033 303-424-3161 www.wrlutheran.org

Rev. Kent A. Peck, Pastor

Easter Letdown?

Many of us, sadly, feel a bit of a let down on Easter Sunday and during the Easter

Season. The services during Holy Week were singularly pointed and beautiful. We gave

up the Gloria in Excelsis, the Hallelujahs, and the Gloria Patris. We entered Holy Week

on Palm Sunday with palms and the reading of the Passion from St. Matthew. On

Maundy Thursday we commemorated Our Lord's last will and testament to the Church,

the giving of His risen Body and Blood to us for food and drink to make us clean. Then

we watched with wonder and some sadness as the altar and chancel are laid bare. On

Good Friday, in what is easily the Church's most profound, deep, and moving Service of

the entire year, we hear the Passion from St. John, and chorales poetically pointing us to

God's costly grace.

By the end of Holy Week, we are exhausted. Our attention spans are not that

long. It is hard. But it is also moving. The spirit of joy that permeates the Church

outshines even that of Christmas. Lent and Holy Week are full of ceremonies unique to

the season, and, as designed, they tug on our heartstrings.

Then comes Easter Sunday and the Sundays following, and Church is pretty

much normal. It seems pale and ordinary. The white vestments and candles don't shine in

the morning with the same brilliance that they show in the darkness. The service is a

fairly straight communion liturgy as we know it year-round. Thus it can feel almost as a

sort of let down. But it shouldn't. In fact, its normalcy ought to be of great comfort. The

reason it seems so “normal” is because Easter, that is, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is

our norm. This is the Feast that defines all our Sundays, all our communions, all of our

life together. Even in the drama of Good Friday, we are celebrating and remember the

fact of Jesus’ victory over death for us.

The most fundamental reality of Christianity is that Jesus lives. He died, to be

sure, but He is not dead: He lives. This is our hope, our salvation, our reason for

gathering, the source of all our sacraments, of the forgiveness and grace that daily

sustains the faith He has given and planted in us: Jesus lives.

Rather than feeling let down because Easter is “normal” or “ordinary,” we ought

to recognize that on Easter Sunday we're coming home. We're done traveling, sleeping

in foreign beds, eating exotic foods, meeting strange, albeit fascinating, people. We're

home, where we belong, where everything is as it should be, not normal-boring, but

normal-safe, reliable, predictable, steadfast. Lent, and especially Holy Week, are times

of great joy and interest, like having a perfect crème brûlée or an exotic dish of chocolate

layers placed in front of you. But sometimes, especially when you are tired, nothing

beats straight up ice cream in a cone or popcorn at a comfortable place on the couch

surrounded by loved ones. Are we so spoiled that we forget that it is a treat? I hope not.

Let not Easter be a let down. Let it be a homecoming. Jesus lives! Hallelujah! Jesus

lives!

In Christ,

Pastor Peck

We are made new, born again in Christ through our Baptisms. Yet as time goes on our bodies age. This month we want to acknowledge our more senior members with love and respect. As we all move through the seasons of life we want to share our lives and our faith. with those around us.

ASCENSION – May 29th

The reality of Christ's Ascension is so important that all three Creeds confess that "He ascended

into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the

living and the dead." The denial of the Ascension is as grave a departure from Christian teaching as is

denial of Christ's Resurrection.

Christ's bodily Ascension foreshadows our own entrance into Heaven not simply as souls, after

our death, but as glorified bodies, after the resurrection of the dead at the Final Judgment. In

redeeming mankind, Christ not only offered salvation to our souls but began the restoration of the

material world itself to the glory that God intended before Adam's fall. Without the Ascension of

Christ, His work would not be complete.

Therefore, we will observe the Feast of the Ascension on Ascension Evening, Thursday, May

29. The service will begin at 7 pm. Come and be in the presence of the ascended Christ. -2-

Are you adjusting to a new job, a change in

marital status, a serious illness, the death of a

loved one, or just experiencing a lonely or

difficult time in your life?

Could you benefit from having someone who

would listen and care and walk with you

through this difficult time?

There Is No Need

To Struggle Alone!

Everyone goes through difficult times. Having

someone to care, to listen, to share God’s love

with you can help you get through the

confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be

experiencing. God does not intend for you to

struggle alone.

Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to

walk with you on your journey to wholeness.

Contact Judy Kugler, Eady Broscheit or Joe

Broscheit for more information.

Is life more than you can

handle right now?

Bethesda CRAFT SALE

Sunday, May 5 9am-11am

Wheat Ridge Lutheran Church

There is something for everyone and your purchase supports the work of the Auxiliary that enhances the lives of people with disabilities as

they share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Welcome to all women of the congregation

Lutheran Women in Mission “Reach everyone as Christ’s Hands”

They realized that they had been with Jesus. “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:13b and 20

Easter is…

He is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Alleluia!

EASTER IS today in our lives! We can awake

each day to the Easter reminders around us:

sunshine after the darkness of night, blooming

flowers, new green grass, and waking to a new

day after a restful night’s sleep. These are

reminders that EASTER IS the power of a God

who brings life from death.

Some of you will be planting flower

seeds or garden seeds this spring. As you

plant, you expect each of those very small

seeds will be the source of great results and

produce rich, positive fruit or beautiful flowers

to enjoy. In much the same way, LWML

encourages you to plant some very small, but

very positive “mustard seeds” in the lives of

those around you daily. Share the blessings

God has given you, tell the Easter story to

someone else, send a card, share a hug, give

encouragement to someone. Even planting the

smallest of seeds can produce great results.

Be a Missionary with Your Mite Box! Partial payment of $5,000 for Student

Scholarships for MOST Ministries Mission Trips. This LWML Mission grant will provide scholarships to fifteen college and university

students so they may go on short term mission

trips, giving them experiences to inspire future

work in the mission field. An additional $15,000 is still needed to fund this grant.

MITE SUNDAY IS MAY 18

We invite you to support our many mission grants

with your gift of Mites at the fellowship coffee

table. Thank You!

Please support our Wheat Ridge LWML

Members who will be attending the District

LWML Convention in Northglenn this June.

The LWML Women in Mission will have a Bake

Sale on Sunday, May 4. We would appreciate your

donated baked items. You can bring your items on Saturday afternoon (May 3) or on Sunday morning.

These funds will help with scholarships for our

members to attend the Rocky Mountain District

LWML Convention, June 20-22.

Feed the Future Program We will discontinue collecting plastic grocery bags

during the summer months. We will begin again in September. Thank you for your contributions.

LWML Meeting Saturday, May 10 at 9:00 am

All women are welcome!

GREAT IS THE HARVEST

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN 2014 Convention Gifts From the Heart

During the month of May the LWML is asking you to help collect school supplies to be taken to the District LWML Convention, June 20-22, to be held in Northglenn. School supplies will be divided evenly between the Colorado West and Rocky Mountain Divisions of Orphan Grain Train.

Here are the needed items: Backpacks (new or gently used---sizes for all

students) Notebooks (spiral and/or 3-ring) Notebook paper (wide or college-ruled) Ball point pens (blue or black) Pencils (#2 lead or colored) Coloring books (all ages) Crayons Watercolors and brushes Chalk (for chalkboards) Soccer balls

This list is also being provided in your mailboxes, so you can take that list with you as you shop and pick up your items and bring them to the Treasure Chest in the narthex. Thank you for your help! ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lutheran Family Services

Luthe Lutheran Family Services (LFS) is proud of its Lutheran heritage in community service. We have been extending a healing hand to people for 66 years. We believe that all people, from the newborn infant to the most elderly person, deserve to be valued in our community. If you are interested in learning more about LFS or would like to have an LFS staff member share the LFS story with your congregation, please contact Becca Sager at 303.217.5841 or at becca.sager@lfsrm.org.

1. 1. Each year in Colorado there are approximately 8,000 children who are unable to live with their biological parents because of abuse or neglect. Some of these children have witnessed domestic violence, have never experienced a birthday party or a sleepover with friends, or don’t know from day to day whether they will have a meal or a place to sleep. You can help by becoming a foster parent! Lutheran Family Services is looking for safe, nurturing homes for children in need. We especially need parents who are willing to foster children over the age of 8, sibling groups of two or more, and children with medical or behavioral issues. For more information on our foster care programs, please call 303-217-5869 or e-mail fostercentral@lfsrm.org.

2.

3. 2. Lutheran Family Services is running low on furniture for newly-arriving refugee families! We could use your gently used furniture (especially dressers, tables, chairs, lamps), as well as household items such as bedding and silverware. Please note that we do not accept: entertainment centers, desks, or TVs. We can pick up furniture in most locations in the Denver metro area. Contact Jaime at 303-217-5181 to see if your furniture items are eligible for pick-up.

4. Thank you for your continued partnership. We are grateful for all you do for us and with us!

Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group The Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group has completed our examination of the different Christian confessions and now know why the Lutheran Confession is the purest expression of the Gospel on earth. Next we will examine some of the different non-Christian religions that infect our world. For example, we will study the basic tenets of Islam, Hinduism, Mormonism, Jehovah's False Witnesses, and other so-called religions of Satan that seek to draw people away from Christ crucified. Our studies are on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. Check the May calendar for dates and subjects! See you there!

Sing to the Lord, All the Earth!

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Thank you AGAIN to those who donated Easter Lilies Noni Cessa Pastor John Rolf (in memory of Helen Rolf) Gretchen Christiansen (in memory of her father Howard) Margaret Richardson Bob and Mable Sprengel Janis Brunken Margaret Hayward Ruth Ervin Shirley Metcalf Shirley Vincent Jolene Weddingfeld (in memory of her Mom, Dad, and sister) Charles and Sherri DuValle

CHORALE PERFORMANCE

The Lutheran Chorale invites you to an afternoon or evening of music that “Runs in the Family”. It seems that many great composers weren’t alone. Often a sibling or son or daughter was also gifted with the ability to write beautiful music. We close our season with pieces composed by musical talent that runs in the family. Our concert will include Olaf Christiansen’s “Light Everlasting”, “Alleluia” by Praetorius, “Hear my Prayer/O for the wings of a dove” by Mendelssohn, “Jesus Loves Me” and more. Our concerts will be on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 3pm at St Peter Lutheran Church, 9300 E. Belleview Ave., Greenwood Village, and 7:30 pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 10304 W. Belleview Avenue, Littleton. Tickets will be available at the door. Tickets costs are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students, and $25 for families. For more information, visit our website at www.thelutheran chorale.org, or call Linda Blandin at 303-973-1161.

Volunteer at

Lutheran Medical Center!

Patients and Visitors at Lutheran Medical Center need your help!

Information Desk Volunteer – Look

up patient room numbers or meeting information on the computer. Must have computer skills and have good hearing and vision.

Courtesy Service Volunteer –

Dismiss patients (in wheelchair) from their rooms to the front of the hospital. Must be able to walk long distances and have good hearing and vision.

Lost and Found Assistant – Pick up

lost items, log them into the computer, make phone calls regarding items and prepare them for mailing.

For more information, please call Debbie Anderson at 303-425-8028.

Sing to the Lord, All the Earth!

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BOARD of CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Lord blessed us with a beautiful Easter and a BIG thank you to everyone who helped.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

We continue our Spring Quarter lessons, “Cross Exploration”: 5/4/14- Jesus Appears on the Emmaus Road, Luke 24:13-35 5/11/14- Peter and John Heal the Lame Man, Acts 3 5/18/14- Peter and Cornelius, Acts 10 5/25/14- Peter's Escape from Prison, Acts 12

Vacation Bible School I am sure everyone is looking forward to Summer and

most of all our VBS. Preparations for our VBS- “GANGWAY to GALILEE” (An Amazing Grace Adventure) are under way. It will be held Monday through Friday the last week of June…that’s June 23-27. Vacation Bible school is a wonderful way to help children learn about Jesus. At the center of every day of VBS they will hear God's message of His amazing grace through Jesus, through each day’s Bible lesson, even through the snacks and the daily activities. Watch for more information coming soon. Parents and children, start planning your time so you can attend our VBS. JUNE 23-27, 2014. We will be looking for volunteers-Teachers, teachers’ aides, kitchen helpers, activity leaders, and especially all of you who can help with your prayers and support.

MISSION PROJECT

We continue to take donations for the people affected by the floods last summer. God bless everyone who has given to this much needed project.

Sherry DuValle

MATTHEW 25 FUND

Thank you to all who contributed to the MATTHEW 25 FUND at our 5 Lenten Soup Suppers! A total of $219 was raised. What is the MATTHEW 25 FUND? Read Matthew 25:35-40. This fund is monies used by the Pastor to help members and non-members alike who are in need. If you did not attend the soup suppers and would still like to make a contribution, make a check out to the church, drop in the offering plate or leave in the church office, but be sure to state that it is for MATTHEW 25. Thanks again! =============================================

BLESSED IS THE MOTHER….. The celebration of Mother’s Day is usually credited to Anna Jarvis who, in 1906, began to remember other mothers on the anniversary of her own mother’s death. But Mother’s Day was first celebrated in Boston in 1872. It was organized by Julia Ward Howe, a poet, reformer, scholar, mother of six children, author of the words to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and founder of the Women’s Peace Conference in 1870. At the time of the Franco-Prussian war, she wrote, “Why do not the mothers of mankind interfere in these matters, to prevent the waste of human life of which they alone bear and know the cost? The august dignity of motherhood and its terrible responsibility now appeared to me in a new aspect.” She began to promote Mother’s Day in 1872 as a festival for the advocacy of peace. It was so celebrated in the U.S. and abroad for many years, but gradually lost ground to the Jarvis celebration. Remember Mother’s Day - May 11!

Sing to the Lord, All the Earth!

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Sing to the Lord, All the Earth!

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Wheat Ridge Lutheran Church

8600 West 38th Avenue Wheat Ridge

303-424-3161 www.wrlutheran.org

Vacation Bible School Registration Child’s Name___________________________________________________________________________________________ Grade completed ____________ Birthday __________________________________________________ Age_ ____________ Parents’ names ________________________________________________________________________________________ Home address _________________________________________________________________________________________ Home phone ________________________________________ Alternate phone_____________________________________ E Mail address_________________________________________________________________________________________ Emergency contact person _____________________________ Relationship to student _______________________________ Home phone ________________________________________ Alternate phone _____________________________________ Food allergies Y____N__(List:) ____________________________________________________________________________ Medical concerns Y____N__(Explain:)_______________________________________________________________________ Family doctor ______________________________________________________ Doctor’s phone _______________________ Siblings attending VBS (names and ages) ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Church affiliation _____________________________ Church membership at ________________________________________ People who may pick up the child ___________________________________________________________________________ Transportation needed? Y______N_______ Attendance 1 2 3 4 5 Parent’s signature _______________________________________________________________Date____________________ VBS leaders have permission to photograph/film the minor(s) designated above in any manner or form for any lawful purpose associated with this VBS program.

All VBS programs are not alike! Amazing Desert Journey stands apart from others because it is VBS with Purpose. At the center of all teachings is God’s Word and His gracious gift

of the Savior, Jesus Christ. After Amazing Desert Journey is finished, the craft glue dries, the decorations come down, and the snacks are gone, the real message is that the

children in our VBS know their need for a Savior and His name is Jesus.

One form per child, please.

June 18-22