April Newsletter
Saturday, April 1st, 2006click here for past entriesOUTREACH: BILLIOUS POND A.K.A. Don, Bob, Dave & Bill will be performing at the Ellice Theatre Sat. April 22nd (7-9p.m.) Jamie has graciously agreed to play bass guitar for us that evening, and also will be performing that night. There is no admission charge but a free-will offering will be taken and all proceeds will go to "New Life Ministries". We look forward to seeing as many as are able to come that evening. If you're wondering why "Billious Pond???" As Pastor would say: "Come and see!"
STEWARDSHIP Managing Our God's $$ Just too much month left at the end of the money? After figuring out one's bills (rent/mortgage, food, car payments, car repairs, clothing, unexpected expenses, education costs, miscellaneous, entertainment/vacation -What's that? - and the list goes on, and on, and on) it really is difficult to find anything to give back to God. If this is you, I know how you feel for I have been there many times. I've heard about God wanting us to be cheerful givers but all I'm left with is a sense of resentment. Often feeling that if only God had given me a little more I might have been able to give something back. Most times when we sit down to manage our finances we leave God out of the picture entirely or factor God in at the end of our figuring. And that means God gets what's left over and that usually isn't very much, if anything. God doesn't need our money. Are you surprised? For God is the creator and giver of everything. But God wants us to and we need to learn to trust in God in all aspects of our living. If you haven't done it before then try putting God at the top of your list when it comes to planning your finances. I don't know why but trust me it really works. We cannot out give God and it really is amazing how putting God first helps to put everything else in perspective.
PRAYER GROUP/PRAYER CHAIN Anyone interested in being part of a Prayer Group/Prayer Chain here at St. Luke's Zion please talk to or call Bill (334-2260/334-2237) for more information.
FINANCE STEWARDSHIP REPORT
February Income: $8,140.77 February Expenses: 7,848.98
PROPERTY & MAINTENANCE NEWS Did you notice the new television stand downstairs? A Great Big Thank you to Sid Nernberg for his craftsmanship in building this cabinet. Also thanks to Lawry Schmidt for getting us a free stepladder from Litemor Distributors. Thank you both so much.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Thank you so much to everyone who helped to make the World Day of Prayer such a success. We received so many compliments: i.e. What a beautiful church; Everyone is so friendly; You have an elevator - Wonderful!; The refreshments, sandwiches and dainties were absolutely delicious; Thank you for serving coffee and tea - I have trouble getting around; The service was very moving. These are just a few of the comments. No matter how you helped out - it made a DIFFERENCE! It couldn't have happened without YOU! Thank you,
dankie
The World Day of Prayer Committee
FOOD BANK Are you Spring Cleaning? Do you have clothing that doesn't fit anyone or no one is wearing? If you do the Food Bank would be more than happy to receive any items of clothing (in good repair) that you no longer need. Please drop them off in the box inside the front entrance of the church. Thank you.
"THE LUTHERAN COURSE" This course will be offered on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. beginning on Thursday, May 4th. It is a seven-week course that will finish on Thursday, June 15th. The course is designed for "new Lutherans, old Lutherans, and anybody in between." Each session includes singing, prayer, Scripture readings, a DVD presentation and discussion time. Topics include "How to Tell the Difference between Law and Gospel," "How to Read the Bible," and "How to share your Faith with Someone," among others. If you are interested in participating, please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex. You will need to indicate if you want to order just the workbook (the minimum needed to participate), or the Lutheran Handbook as well (needed if you want a more in-depth study). In the mean time, ask Pastor Lynne if you'd like to know more about this opportunity for fellowship and study.
MISSIONARY FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA Bonnie Weppler, currently serving as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, will be with us for worship and for a pot-luck lunch on Sunday, May 7th. She will share the message as part of our worship service and will show some slides following lunch downstairs. Some of you may recall that we donated to the "Tok Ples" project in Papua New Guinea in honour of the Haab family. Bonnie will be able to give us an update on what has happened with this project.
Poet's Corner
The Lord has spoken - HOPE (based on Isaiah 25: 6-8)
Here on Mount Zion The Lord Almighty A banquet will prepare A banquet of richest food A banquet of finest wine.
The Lord Almighty Will remove the cloud of sorrow, The cloud of sorrow hanging over all nations.
The Lord Almighty Will remove death forever Will wipe away the tears of everyone's eyes Will take away the disgrace his people have suffered The disgrace they have suffered throughout the world.
The Lord himself has spoken.
Then everyone will say: We have put our trust in God. He is our Lord. He has saved us. We are now happy. We are now joyful. He is our Lord God. Here on Mount Zion.
by Anna McDonald
Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are. Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazine and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.
LENTEN SERVICES APRIL 2006
Wednesday, April 5 - 7:30 p.m. - Holden Evening Prayer - Ezekiel 37:1-14
Maundy Thursday, April 13 - 7:30 p.m. - Holy Communion - John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Good Friday, April 14 - 7:30 p.m. - Tenebrae Service - John 18:1 - 19:42
** At the Holden Evening Prayer services there will be a series of Old Testament readings reminding us of the history of God's salvation, as well as a series of dramas called "On the Road with Jesus" by Tom Tozer. ** Offerings from the Lenten services have been designated this year to support seminary students from our synod (Manitoba & Northwestern Ontario).
NATIONAL YOUTH PROJECT 2004-2006 MISSION POSSIBLE: BUILDING HOPE
WORK CREW SCHEDULE
Please note the following opportunities to participate on the Pre-build, Blitz Build and Post Build of the Habitat for Humanity home that we know as Mission Possible: Building Hope.
Dates may change as affected by weather, etc. A detailed description of the kind of work needed will be available closer to the date. Youth younger than 16 may work on some of the pre-build and post-build dates. Each, however, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
If you would like to supply a crew, or volunteer as an individual for any of the following dates, contact Hank and Barbara Fast (204.284.1044 or bfast@elcic.ca) to reserve. Please indicate your first, second and third choices and the approximate number of volunteers you plan to bring.
PRE-BUILD (please register one month ahead) Tuesday, May 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 4 Thursday, May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6 Saturday, May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24
BLITZ BUILD JULY 8-15 (Preference will be given to full time volunteers) Saturday, July 8 Monday, July 10 Tuesday, July 11 Wednesday, July 12 Thursday, July 13 Friday, July 14 Saturday, July 15
POST-BUILD (please register one month ahead) Tuesday, July 18, 25, August 1, 8 Thursday, July 20, 27, August 3, 10 Saturday, July 22, 29, August 5, 12
ELCIC GATHERING SERVANT EVENTS (Preference will be given to youth from BC, ABT, SK and Eastern Synods) Monday, August 14, 21 Tuesday, August 15, 22 Wednesday August 16, 23 Aug 17-20 TBA
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