St. John Lutheran Church March 2018________________________________________________________________________

Church Office: 563-242-5588Pastor Dan Pool: 321-6757, home

e-mail: dpool@stjohn-clinton-ia.orgWeb Site: www.stjohn-clinton-ia.org

________________________________________________________________________

Revelation Bible Study with Pastor

We have been working our way verse by verse through Revelation. Join us for this small group Bible Study on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at either 9:30 a.m. (Classroom 1) or 7:00 p.m. (Fellowship Hall). This study is for men, women, and teens. No previous Bible study experience is necessary. Bring your Bible.

March 6: The Angel and the Scroll: Revelation 10:1-11

March 20: Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet: Revelation 11:1-19

Daylight Savings Time

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday, March 10. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 11.

Lent and Our Lenten Rotation

Our local LCMS pastors are going to be rotating pulpits for the Wednesdays of Lent. Services are at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m. Pastor’s Wednesday Catechism class will meet on Saturdays from 9:00-9:45 a.m. on March 3, 10, 17, and 24. Our Wednesday sermons will focus on some of the Hymns of Lent:

March 7: Stricken, Smitten, and AfflictedMarch 14: O Darkest WoeMarch 21: O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Pastor Pool’s Sunday Bible StudyThe Big Story: Genesis to Revelation

The Big Story is a unique study exploring the major themes, events, and people that are brought to life throughout the Bible. Our goal is to energize your study of the Bible and provide you with an overview of the whole of the Scriptures. This study will improve your ability to read, understand, and apply Scripture to your life. Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

March 4: Job - Song of SolomonMarch 11: Isaiah - DanielMarch 18: Hosea - MicahMarch 25: Nahum - Malachi

Discipleship and the Cross

In Mark we hear Jesus calling His disciples to the cross. Before we get to Easter, we have to go through Good Friday. I really encourage you to attend this service. We are not ready to celebrate the resurrection until we acknowledge the cross.

Jesus says in Mark 8, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.”

Following Jesus to the cross is good, but it will cost you everything. True Christian discipleship isn’t easy. Jesus defines it as self-denial. In Holy Baptism, you have become a servant and follower of Jesus Christ. Self-denial means knowing only Christ. Life no longer centers on your priorities, but His.

The cross that we take up is not suffering that stems from ordinary life. The cross that He refers to is not your latest illness or your problems at work. It is the suffering that comes from being a Christian. We are called to live as Christians. We are called to speak as Christians. And this will bring about the rejection of the world.

But more than that, the struggle is simply against the sin that we find inside our hearts. As Baptism drowns our sinful nature, the call of Jesus means the execution of the sin within us. As St. Paul says in Colossians 3, this means that we “put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Obviously this is painful work. For us, it is the cross. But the benefits are eternal.

Are you ready to take up that call? Are you ready to follow Jesus Christ to the cross in discipleship? When Jesus calls us, He calls us to come and die. This is serious, of course. But I would encourage you to hear this hard word as grace. The cross is our

theology and it is full of good news. The difficult work of discipleship is the fruit of being in Christ. He is not content to leave us in our sin. And to be in Christ is life itself. And His life leads to the resurrection. It leads to Easter.

Blessed Lenten Season,Pastor

Lenten Serving Schedule

Each year the congregation is divided into groups according to the church directory for Lent and Advent Services with one group serving after each service. Each family serving is asked to bring a plate or two of sandwiches, four dozen cookies, or a pan of bars. Otherwise a donation to purchase punch and coffee may be left in the marked container in the church kitchen.

The serving schedule is divided by those in the church directory as follows:

March 7 – Rod Simpson to Laura VonThunMarch 14 – Brian Wall to Ken DeckerMarch 21– Harlan Dell to Sue Ingwersen

Food Pantry Collection March 4

Donations of nonperishable food items, paper, and soap products may be brought to the fellowship hall on Sunday, March 4, for the food pantry collection at the

Victory Center. These items will be distributed to the unemployed of the community.

Final Four at St. John during Holy Week-from the desk of Kurt Flathers

This year, it is near perfect timing, for all those sports fans who enjoy college basketball. In mid-March, a fair number fill out the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament Bracket. They pick who of the 68 teams to start will end up being the champion and #1. Brackets are won, and brackets are busted, but people enjoy the games. This year, the Final Four coordinates right up with Holy Week at St. John. In fact, at the End of Holy Week, we have our own Final Four…..Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Those 4 days show us the grace, mercy, joy, and peace that God has given us by giving His Son up to crucifixion and then the glorious resurrection.

March 25 kicks it all off with Palm Sunday. We celebrate the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. We celebrate the Divine Service. We will have palm branches for all. Start Holy Week off right by attending worship.

March 29 is Maundy Thursday. Our Lord and Savior institutes the Holy Supper in His Body and Blood. We go to the upper room and hear his final teachings to the disciples. Judas betrays him in the Garden of Gethsemane, he is arrested, tried, and condemned. We worship at 1:30 & 7:00 p.m. and receive the Lord’s Supper. The service concludes with the stripping of the Altar.

March 30 is Good Friday. We gather to ponder the crucifixion and death of our Lord and Savior. Go to Golgotha and hear His words and also learn of the suffering he endured for our sins. The Savior ascends His throne, the cross, in our place. We worship at 1:30 & 7:00 p.m., with both being Tenebrae Services.

March 31 is Holy Saturday. We will be setting up the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m. Anyone who wishes to lend a hand

for an hour or so can stop by. We will be setting up tables, decorating, and cracking eggs. Many hand make light work. Stop on over and enjoy the morning with us.

That afternoon at 1:00 p.m., we will meet at church to go Easter Caroling. We go to take Easter joy and music to those members of our church in nursing homes and home bound. It is a great time, and everyone enjoys it. We deliver the extra palms from Palm Sunday and sing the praises of Him who died and is risen for our justification. Music is provided and we sing the hymns of Easter. Afterwards, we stop at Dairy Queen for a treat to cool our throats. We are done by around 3:30 p.m.

April 1 is not April Fool’s day for us; it is the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord. We celebrate the championship of our Lord and Savior over sin, death, and the grave. We have a Son-Rise service at 6:30 a.m. The Easter Breakfast follows that at 7:30 a.m. Then we have the Divine Service of Easter at 10:15 a.m. Both services include the Sacrament of the Altar. Come and hear the Word, partake in the blest Sacrament of His true Body and Blood, and sing triumphant praises! Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

This is the true Final Four! The true number 1 is crowned, first with thorns, then with heavenly glory! Make no mistake, no one can defeat Christ! He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first fruits of those raised from the dead. Come and worship all the days of Holy Week, because you cannot have one of the days without the others. Come and worship and celebrate.

March Movie Night

Join us for our next movie night, Sunday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Children with their parents and teens are especially encouraged to attend. We will be watching The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The movie is based on the classic

book by C.S. Lewis. Snacks are being provided. Bring your own comfortable chair if you would like!

Board of Elders

The Board of Elders will meet on Monday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Board of Stewardship

The Board of Stewardship will meet on Monday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m.

Board of Education

The Board of Education will meet on Monday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Board of Evangelism

The Board of Evangelism will meet on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m.

Voters’ Assembly

Board Meetings

Our Voters’ Assembly will meet on Monday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. All are invited to the Voters’ Assembly. Come and get involved in the work of the Church.

World Day of Prayer

All ladies are invited to attend the World Day of Prayer service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton. A luncheon will follow the service.

Ladies Aid

Ladies Aid will attend the World Day of Prayer service and luncheon on Friday, March 2 at Trinity in Clinton. We will have our monthly meeting at Trinity immediately following the luncheon. All ladies are encouraged to attend.

Mary Martha Soup Supper

All ladies are invited to attend the Mary Martha Soup Supper on Tuesday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. St. John Mary Martha members and volunteers care for the church altar by

preparing for communion and washing the silver after communion services, maintaining the altar candles and linens, and delivering the altar flowers to shut-ins. Please join us March 13 for good food, fellowship, and a chance to learn about our group.

Quilting Bee

The Quilting Bee will meet on Thursday, March 15 at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship

hall. All ladies interested in helping sew and tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief are invited to attend.

Farewell

The Ralls will be moving to Davenport in the near future and we are saying farewell. Of course, we will still get to see them from time to time for services, but not as regularly as we do now. We will be holding a reception for them Sunday, March 18 after the late service at approximately 11:15. Cards and personal notes are encouraged. We will miss them immensely!

Moving Help!

The Ralls will be moving some of their furniture down to Davenport on Saturday, March

24. We are asking for able-bodied helpers to meet at the Rall’s house at 9:30 a.m. to help load the truck. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall if you are able to help.

St. John Preschool Now Enrolling

The preschool is now accepting students for the 2018/2019 school year. We will continue to have a multi-age classroom setting with 3 year olds attending 3 days per week and older children attending 5 days per week. Our hours of operation are 8:50 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. to be more accommodating to parents and to provide more for our students. Tuition will be $135.00 per month for 1st year 3-day students, $165.00 per month for 1st year 5-day students, and

will be free for 2nd year returning students. Contact the church office, 242-5588, for more information or enrollment forms.

Higher Things

We have 10 youth and 4 adults going to the Higher Things Youth Conference this summer in Minnesota. We are excited to have so many go! But we could use your help. The cost per person is $355, plus adult and travel expenses. Would you consider giving a gift to help our young people go? Thrivent Choice dollars directed to St. John Lutheran Church are also

helping us. Our Higher Things youth will be participating in the Easter breakfast and all proceeds will support our trip.

Confirmation Day – May 6

On Sunday, May 6, at the 10:15 a.m. service, five young adults of St. John will be received into communicant membership of the congregation. Those to be confirmed this year are: Kaleb Bovis, Maya Murtha, Ben Poland, Zac Poland, and William

Schemers.

On Wednesday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. the confirmation students will participate in an oral exam followed by a reception. Family

and friends of the confirmands are invited to the exam and reception.

Check It OutIn Our Church Library

The season of Lent is a good time to tap into the reference section of our library.

Why do the Gospel accounts differ? Are there demon-possessed people today? Why did Jesus use parables? Find the answers to these questions and others like them in The Big Book of New Testament Questions and Answers.

The Lutheran Bible Companion [2 volume set] has more than 600 color photographs, illustrations and landscapes along with Biblical reflections from Martin Luther and Johann Gerhard. It includes events, people and places found in detailed outlines and maps.

The Apocrypha – This book has so much to offer and has a wealth of information. The introduction and the appendix are so interesting it will be hard to put down. You will find charts and guides, translations and definitions.

The Lutheran Difference – As Lutherans interact with other Christians they often find themselves struggling to explain their beliefs and practices. This book is written especially for the lay person and will help Lutherans learn about denominational differences.

Lutheranism 101 – Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran looking to dig deeper or a new Lutheran and want answers, this reference guide will help you easily get to know the theology basics in a way that won’t make your brain hurt.

March Birthdays & Anniversaries

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

Happy Birthday to: Lucille Dodd, who will be 101 on March 4. Darlene Schroeder, who will be 89 on March 13.Millie Martzahn, who will be 93 on March 17.Geri Kophamer, who will be 85 on March 17.Barbara Kroymann, who will be 80 on March 22.

Happy Anniversary to: Howard & Linda Paysen, 15th wedding anniversary on March 15.

Russ & Lois Henningsen, 45th wedding anniversary on March 17.

Mark & Lisa Hagen, 1st wedding anniversary on March 1.

We list birthdays 80 and above and anniversaries for year one and every five years thereafter unless we receive a request not to do so.

Private Communion Calls

Pastor Pool makes his visits to those in nursing homes throughout the month. Those at home who would like to receive a communion visit are asked to call Pastor at the Church Office, 242-5588, to schedule a time.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN MARCH

Early

Elders: Dave Reynolds Bill Ross

Ushers: Jay Mueller Brian Wall Calvin Lange Wesley Melchin

Nursery Attendants (Late)

4 – Kristi LaShelle

11 – Tara Sirna

18 – Heather Becker

25 – Barb Bialas

Recording

4 – Darlene Paysen11 – Paul Wenzel18 – Darlene Paysen25 – Paul Wenzel

Late

Elders: David Becker Jim Kophamer

Ushers: Bryce Petersen Randy Housenga Harlan Dell Kevin Dell

Acolyte Schedule

4-Early – William Schemers4-Late – David Graham

7-Lent – Elder

11-Early – Ben Poland11-Late – Kaleb Bovis

14-Lent – Sam Reynolds

18-Early – Maya Murtha18-Late – Aaron Becker

21-Lent – Elder

25-Early – Zac Poland25-Late – Elder

29-Maundy Thurs. – Elder

30-Good Friday – Elder

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: MARCH 20If you would like to put any information in the newsletter, contact Angie Stewart, and get her the information by March 20.