St. Martin’s Lutheran Church Archbold, OH

203 S. Defiance Street Archbold, OH 43502 419-445-4656 Good News From

April, 2021 The Welcome Place Volume 15, Issue 4 www.the-welcome-place.org

E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Inside this issue: Worship Schedule

Sunday Worship – WELCOMING 9:00 am, Live broadcast

Our Mission Statement Wednesday Offering, 2 WPW Worship—7:00 pm Worship Assistants Live broadcast

Keep In Our Prayers 3 Office Hours Pastor Paul: Mon, Tue, Thru, 9-12 WORKING or by appointment Steve: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri.—am Pastor Paul 4 Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri.—pm Brenda: Tue—Fri, 8-12:30 Worship News 5 Steve Basselman

Holy Week, Welcome Place 6 Schedule Wednesday

Church Council 7-9 5:15—Meal—drive through 7:00—WPW Worship 10- Financials 12

Health News 13

14- Women of St. Martin’s, 15

Bus Adventure to 16 Passion of the Christ

Coloring & Puzzle Page 17 What’s happening at St. Martin’s . . .

Birthdays & 18 Sunday 9:00 am Worship Service, in-person & live broadcast Anniversaries Sunday School 10:00 am, in person PreK—High School, 7th& 8th grade Zoom WITNESSING 10:30, Zoom for adults See page 6 for & Easter Worship Schedule

This Month’s Calendar 19 Live broadcasts through Facebook Live and later on YouTube. Links & bulletins for live broadcasts are on the church’s website. Welcome Place News Page 2 God’s Work . . . Our Hands! Building The Welcome Place Who Are We? We are The Welcome Place Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. – Romans 15:7 What Is Our Mission As A Church And As Members? WWW We are…Welcoming friends and strangers with God’s love. Working to build deeper relationships with Jesus. Witnessing to share God’s love with everyone What Is Our Vision Of Who God Wants Us To Be? ORG People who are serving…One Real God, living One real faith, making One real difference. How Do We Remind Ourselves? www.the-welcome-place.org

Welcome to worship and join us in building The Welcome Place Jesus calls us to be.

From the Church Office . . . Worship Assistants Attendance & Offering

Worship 2-21: Attendance—24 Altar Guild—Michelle Collins, Jess Short $3,945.00 Mid Week 2-24: 12:00—8 Sound Team—Bill Phelps, Worship 2-28: Attendance—29 Darren Sonnenberg, Tracy Ziegler $9,041.67 Mid Week Lent 3-3: 12:00—8 Usher Team Leader—Jim Wyse Worship 3-7: Attendance—57 $9,486.00 Offering Counter Mid Week Lent 3-10: 12:00—7 April 4—Butch Blankenship Worship 3-14-: Attendance—376 April 11—Jeff Benecke $4,610.00 April 18—Robin Trudel Mid Week Lent 3-17: 12:00—9 April 25—Yanira Reyes Worship 3-21: Attendance—42 $

May Newsletter Deadline Holy Communion

April 22, 9:00 am See page 6 All Things in Common

Just as the bread is made out of many grains ground and mixed together, and out of the bodies of many grains there comes the body of one bread, in which each grain loses its form and body and takes upon itself the common body of the bread; and just as the drops of wine, in losing their own form, become the body of one common wine and drink — so it is and should be with us. … Through the interchange of [Christ’s] blessings and our misfortunes, we become one loaf, one bread, one body, one drink, and have all things in common. —Martin Luther, Treatise on the Blessed Sacrament Welcome Place News Page 3 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Keep In Your Prayers . . .

Jerry Geiger Sharon Heckel Al Siewert Joe Wyse Tracy Ziegler

Our Shut-ins: Rex Detwiler, Dorothy Huner, Ada Thrasher, Irene Liechty, Louise Wyse

Family & Friends of Jack McCormick who went to his heavenly home February 21

Family & Friends of Pastor Tim Sonnenberg who went to his heavenly home February 25

Pastor Paul, Beth, Moriah, Erinn, Isaac as they continue serving God now at Zoar, Perrysburg

Members of the Military and their families in active service for our country; Christopher Shirley, Steve & Sara (Delaney) Adams, Patrick Cirenza, Christopher Goertz, Brendon Johns, Kasyn Schaffner, Spencer Short

Our College & Seminary Students both away from home and close to home

Our Northwestern Ohio Synod Bishop Daniel Beaudoin and his staff as they carry out the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Bethel Parish of Dodoma, St. Martin’s Companion Congregation, may they continue to carry out God’s ministry and mission in Tanzania

Our Mission Partner Congregation of Redeemer Lutheran, Toledo

Our Country and the nations of the world that all may experience God’s forgiveness and guidance so that peace may be restored and nations be reconciled

All First Responders, Hospital Staff, Caregivers who have been in harm’s way since the outbreak of the coronavirus, may we know the ever-present grace of God

All who have lost family members and friends to the corona virus, may we know the comforting presence of our Lord Jesus Christ

Ivy Nehls is turning 75 years old on April 10th! In light of COVID, we (her daughters) are thinking a card shower is the best way to celebrate her. Maybe even 75 cards?!? So, please consider sending Ivy a card or note in the mail, wishing her a Happy Birthday, in early April. Her address is: 108 Magnolia Lane, Bluffton, OH 45817 From Stefanie & Melanie

See page 5 for answer Welcome Place News Page 4 God’s Work . . . Our Hands! From Pastor Paul . . .

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, grace, mercy and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sometime in the past week as we were talking about newsletter articles being due, I realized something fairly overwhelming. Due to the way that these deadlines fall, this will be my last newsletter article. After more that 150 newsletter articles, how do I wrap this up?

I want to begin with Thank you. Thank you for being the people of God who keep welcoming, working, and witnessing; who keep looking to new ways to reach out to the world in Jesus name. From letting go of ministries that had run their course like the tutoring program to hearing the call of new ministries to build roofs in Puerto Rico and provide coats to those who were cold. And thank you for continuing to support so many ministries that make an ongoing difference in people’s lives.

And thank you for all the ways you have supported our family from meals and hand- me-downs to car rides in snow storms and helping us fly to Germany. I look back over these fourteen years and am humbled by the care we have received.

This past year of pandemic (can it really have been a whole year already?) has certainly not been the year any of us would have wished for let alone our last year together. But to quote one of my favorite authors, J. R. R. Tolkien, “…so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” And, as St. Martin’s has for the past one hundred and fifty five years, we have haltingly, imperfectly tried to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, thankful that because of his life, death, and resurrection we find daily forgiveness and opportunities to begin again. I am confident that walking in such a wondrous hope that St. Martin’s will continue to thrive as it reaches out to make a difference in Archbold, Northwest Ohio, our nation, and our world in Jesus’ name.

Thank you for inviting me into your times of joys and sorrows; into the intense and the mundane. It has been a great blessing to be your pastor, and now I commend you dear sisters and brothers in Christ to the next shepherd whose way (unbeknownst to any of us) the Holy Spirit is already preparing.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. – Jude 24-25

Peace, Pastor Paul Welcome Place News Page 5 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

From Our Worship Leader, Deacon Steve Basselman . . .

We Are an Easter People

There’s light at the end of the tunnel! Though we are still in the midst of Lent, we can count down the days left in Lent. Though we still have preparations to make, we can already taste the post-Easter feast ahead of us.

Our ALLELUIAS sound more joyous because we’ve taken a sabbatical from them since February. The whites and the golds of Easter sparkle more brightly because the purples and scarlets have told us their story in Lent. Light carries more intensity because of the times we met in darkness. Music may sound more jubilant after the rich resonance of Lent. We will treasure more our rejoicing because we have grieved.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel! That sentence carries a double meaning this year. We are about to enter our second Holy Week in pandemic times. We likely could not have imagined that this year’s celebration of , the Three Days, and the Resurrection of Our Lord would still take place apart from our gathered communities or at least transformed to look, feel, and sound quite different. Yet this is where we are. God in Christ meets us here just as he did for those at the tomb, who thought all seemed lost.

The plans we have had for all our celebrations in church, family, and community have rarely materialized as we expected this year. Much is still unknown, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel! And even though we are going to be experiencing some additional challenges as we enter a transitional period for our congregation, please remember this: We are an Easter people!

The Christian Church began to grow and expand with this single event: Easter, the . A weekly celebration of the resurrection is why we gather on Sundays. We are shaped by the saving love of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We do not visit the garden and the tomb expecting only to grieve, but instead we are surprised and comforted by his living presence.

There is indeed light at the end of the tunnel—it is our lives shaped by the resurrection and our lives sent to serve. Christ has fought and won a tremendous battle for the sake of that light which blesses our baptisms, guides our living, hallows our dying, and promises resurrections. We cannot help but sing praises and proclaim such good news. Let’s get to work Easter people!

Answer to puzzle on page 3: Praise the Lord Welcome Place News Page 6 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

2021 Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Worship . . .

Wednesday Worship + March 24 & 31 12 noon, In-person 7:00 pm, Online only through Facebook

Palm Sunday + March 28 Worship, 9:00 am with Communion Sunday School, 10:00 am

Holy Week Evening Prayer—7:00 pm March 29, 30, 31, 7:00 pm, Online only through Facebook

Maundy Thursday + April 1 12 noon, In-person led by Deacon Steve, following the same pattern as the Wednesday Noon Lenten services 7:00 pm, Online only through Facebook with virtual communion

Good Friday + April 2 7:00 pm, In-person worship & live broadcast through Facebook

Easter Sunday + April 4 – 3 Worship Services All 3 Worship services will be in-person and live broadcast 8:00 am—Worship with Communion 9:15 am—Worship with Communion 10:00 am – Sunday School 10:30 am—Worship with Communion

2nd Sunday of Easter + April 11 Pastor Paul’s last Sunday at St. Martin’s 9:00 am—Worship with Communion 10:00 am—Sunday School 11:00 am—Worship with Confirmation and Communion

Welcome Place News Page 7 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Special Congregational Council Minutes—March 5, 2021 . . .

St. Martin’s council met on a special zoom meeting at 7:00 on Friday, March 5, 2021, with all members present.

Butch Blankenship call the meeting to order; Pastor Paul lead with prayer.

Butch informed that the he had met with Pastor Paul earlier that day. Pastor Paul informed Butch that late January, early February he had put his papers in for eligibility of call by request of the Bishop. At the current time he has had two interviews with one congregation (Zoar, Perrysburg) and was told that he would be up for congregational vote on March 14th. If the vote is approved, the timeline for the last Sunday at St. Martin’s would be April 11, 2021. This information has also been shared with Mutual Ministry.

Butch shared that he, Aaron and Steve met anticipating Pastor Paul leaving. Discussion included communication with the Synod for transition steps; Council’s need to set up a Call Committee, and determining the needs of the congregation.

As the second rostered person, Steve has also been in contact with the Synod office. Plans are for him to be working with an Interim Pastor, and with the current limited number it is anticipated that he will be adding to his current work load to assist. (Steve shared that he has just completed further instruction for Word and Sacrament ministry through the Synod)

Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Robin Trudel, Secretary

Parkinson’s & Care Givers Support Group . . .

The Parkinson's & Care Givers Support Group will not be meeting in April. If you have questions please call Facilitator: Bonnie Lauber, 419-445-9516.

Super Value Receipts . . . Yes, St. Martin’s is still collecting Super Value Receipts. You may put them in the box on the desk in the Narthex. Please check the receipts first. If there is areas on the receipt that cannot be read, or are damaged, please throw away. We cannot use them if parts are unreadable. Super Value returns 1 cent for every $1.00 turned in. Thanks from the Women of St. Martin’s.

Loosed from death Almost 100 years ago, one-time U.K. poet laureate John Masefield wrote a play called The Trial of Jesus. In it, the centurion who oversaw Jesus’ execution returns to give Pontius Pilate an official report. When Pilate’s wife requests and receives details about the crucifixion, she asks, “Do you think he is dead?” Despite what he had witnessed, the centurion answers, “No, lady, I don’t.” Confused, Pilate’s wife inquires, “Then where is he?” The man’s response: “Let loose in the world, where none can stop his truth.” Indeed, as 2 Timothy 2:9 (ESV) attests, “The word of God is not bound!” Welcome Place News Page 8 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Congregational Council Minutes—March 11, 2021 . . .

St. Martin’s Church Council met on March 11, 2021 with Butch Blankenship, Pastor Paul, Aaron Short, Jeff Benecke, Yanira Reyes, Steve Basselman in person and Robin Trudel and Stan Schmidt (via zoom). Butch Blankenship called the meeting to order, Pastor Paul lead council in devotions and prayer.

Secretary’s Report Thank you notes received from Northwest Ohio Synod, Food for the Poor, and Oesterlen. Minutes from February 11, 2021 were reviewed, corrected and approved.

Finance/Treasurer's Report: February, 2021 report was reviewed. Motion to accept passed.

Financial Recap: + Postage – Bulk Mailing Permit annual renewal was paid. + WPW Meals purchases made for the month. + Insurance – Brotherhood Mutual premium installment was paid.

Pastor Paul’s Report 2020 2021 2021 Worship Video Views February Attendance 584 120 1573 February Average Weekly 146 30 393 Feb. Lenten Midweek 16 360 Feb. Lenten Midweek avg. 8 180

Pastoral Acts since February Council Funerals—1 Jack McCormick Weddings—0 Baptisms—0

Sermons prepared 9 Little Lutheran Videos 4 Worship recordings 8 In person pastoral conversations 13 Catechism Zooms 7 Text conversations 160 Zoom calls/Bible studies 6 Phone messages 11 Lenten Video Devotions 21 Pastoral phone calls 30

Dean Acts +Zoom meetings—3 Phone calls—8 Text conversations—4

Maumee Valley Conference +The next Dean’s meeting is April 13. Pastor Paul took part in the Synod Leadership Summit discussing future staffing of parishes and new ministries in light of on-going retirements.

St. Martin’s +AAMA did not meet; next scheduled meeting is April 7th. +Mutual Ministry met. +MVC was February 18th on Zoom. Discussion included different approaches congregations are taking for Ash Wednesday and Lenten services. +Lutheran Ministries of Mercy Annual meeting was held virtually on Monday, March 8th Unfortunately, we did not receive the connection information so this was not attended. +Daily Lenten devotions continue to generate 30-80 views. Welcome Place News Page 9 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Congregational Council Minutes—March 11, 2021 . . .

+Pastor Paul attended the Fresh Expressions Future Church Conference with the NWOS via zoom on February 26-27, which looked at new directions for reaching out into the community with the Gospel in the next 10 years. (This is part of Continuing Ed.) +Looking back: A year ago this month was the first mention of the pandemic. Thanks to Steve, Brenda, the Health Team, Technology Team and Council for navigating these rough waters through the past year.

Team/Network Reports

Property Team +Rich Winzeler is still working on meeting with contractors for the HVAC project.

Youth Network: No update.

Worship Network +Wednesday Lenten services are underway with Deacon Steve leading in-person devotion service (Tree of Life) at noon; the virtual service broadcast (Journey with Jesus) is at 7:00 p.m. Steve is working on Holy Week and Easter Sunday service options (seating/ overflow).

Nurture/SWAT Team +Fourteen cards were sent.

Vision Team No update

Stewardship Network No update

Education Network +In-Person Sunday School for Pre-K through 6th grade started March 7th; March 14th will start in-person Pre-K through High School Sunday School

Memorial Committee +Positions for the team remain open; Council is working on filling the vacancies.

Evangelism & Outreach Network No update

Technology Team No update

Old Business +The final payment was received from the Vicky Lindley Estate.

New Business +Steve presented information on Flocknote. This is an e-mail management system for church-based use; the subscription cost is $33 per month for our e-mail tier; it can be used for RSVPs, surveys, links, etc. This expense would be part of the office budget. Motion to approve the use of the system, with evaluation after six months, was made, motion passed.

A congregational memorial for Rev. Tim Sonnenberg was discussed and tabled at this time.

Motion to adjourn passed. Meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer. Next scheduled meetings: April 8, 2021 Respectfully Submitted, Robin Trudel Welcome Place News Page 10 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

St. Martin 2021 Income Statement for One Month ending February 28, 2021

Current Month Current Month Year to Date Year to Date Actual Budget Actual Budget

Revenues Operating Income $ 22,951.66 $ 24,224.00 $ 40,346.82 $ 48,447.00 WPW Meals Inc 208.00 0.00 400.00 0.00 Johnson House & Short Haven 500.00 500.00 500.00 1,000.00 Interest 3.22 0.00 6.49 0.00 TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES 23,662.88 24,724.00 41,253.31 49,447.00

Salary 3,956.84 3,849.00 7,699.68 7,698.00 Housing Allowance 2,845.00 2,650.00 5,298.84 5,300.00 Supply Pastor 0.00 66.00 300.00 132.00 Worship Team Leader 6,180.92 3,471.00 9,540.76 6,942.00 Secretary 943.20 1,053.00 2,030.50 2,106.00 Treasurer 377.92 378.00 755.84 755.00 Custodian 780.00 780.00 1,560.00 1,560.00 Expenses . SALARIES 15,083.88 12,247.00 27,185.62 24,493.00

SECA 520.26 498.00 994.34 996.00 Mileage 0.00 386.00 0.00 772.00 Pension 732.20 699.00 1,399.28 1,398.00 Benefits 3,279.08 3,272.00 6,543.84 6,543.00 Cont. Education 0.00 84.00 0.00 168.00 Worship Medical Allowance 337.50 337.00 675.00 674.00 Worship Retirement 436.86 424.00 846.76 848.00 Worship & Office Continuing Ed 0.00 75.00 0.00 150.00 Employer Sos Sec 451.76 450.00 904.04 900.00 Workers Comp Taxes 0.00 25.00 0.00 50.00 . BENEFITS 5,757.66 6,250.00 11,363.26 12,499.00

Office Supplies 188.90 399.00 591.33 798.00 Postage 519.89 167.00 655.55 334.00 Copier Lease 480.14 477.00 982.32 954.00 Technology 0.00 84.00 0.00 168.00 . OFFICE EXPENSES 1,188.93 1,127.00 2,229.20 2,254.00

Synod Assembly 0.00 43.00 0.00 86.00 Covid 19 Expenses 0.00 166.00 0.00 332.00 . OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE 0.00 209.00 0.00 418.00 Welcome Place News Page 11 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Current Month Current Month Year to Date Year to Date Actual Budget Actual Budget

Worship Materials 66.50 234.00 1,085.22 468.00 Music 0.00 159.00 33.23 318.00 Flowers 0.00 9.00 0.00 18.00 Altar Guild 0.00 84.00 0.00 168.00 Instrumentalist/Choir Director 0.00 334.00 150.00 668.00 . WORSHIP NETWORK 66.50 820.00 1,268.45 1,640.00

Sunday School 0.00 209.00 0.00 418.00 Catechism 54.86 50.00 54.86 100.00 Subscriptions 0.00 25.00 0.00 50.00 Vacation Bible School 0.00 62.00 0.00 125.00 Church library 0.00 41.00 0.00 82.00 . EDUCATION NETWORK 54.86 387.00 54.86 775.00

Welcome Place Wednesday 0.00 21.00 0.00 42.00 WPW Meals 670.76 234.00 1,216.39 468.00 Community Meals 0.00 184.00 0.00 368.00 Misc. outreach 0.00 41.00 0.00 82.00 Living Lutheran 0.00 91.00 0.00 182.00 Furniture Ministry 0.00 84.00 0.00 168.00 Welcome Team 0.00 84.00 0.00 168.00 Sharing the Warmth 0.00 125.00 0.00 250.00 . EVANGELISM & OUTREACH 670.76 864.00 1,216.39 1,728.00

Johnson & Short Property Exp 0.00 250.00 1,032.52 500.00 The Lodge Expenses 171.50 250.00 512.82 500.00 Snow removal 0.00 225.00 0.00 450.00 Inspections etc. 0.00 20.00 0.00 40.00 Insurance 1,319.75 450.00 1,319.75 900.00 Electricity 445.11 600.00 845.42 1,200.00 Gas 238.00 300.00 476.00 600.00 Telephone 33.42 40.00 69.64 80.00 Water 35.87 50.00 71.74 100.00 Refuse 53.11 60.00 106.22 120.00 Repairs 0.00 400.00 0.00 800.00 Supplies 63.75 50.00 63.75 100.00 Lawn 0.00 125.00 0.00 250.00 . PROPERTY NETWORK 2,360.51 2,820.00 4,497.86 5,640.00

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 25,183.10 24,724.00 47,815.64 49,447.00

NET OPERATING INCOME/ (DEFICIT) ($ 1,520.22) $ 0.00 ($ 6,562.33) $ 0.00 Welcome Place News Page 12 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Current Month Current Month Year to Date Year to Date Actual Budget Actual Budget

BENEVOLENCE RECEIVED 2,624.00 2,453.00 0.00 4,906.00 Lutheran Social Services Paid 0.00 31.00 0.00 62.00 . LSS Received (285.00) 0.00 (565.00) 0.00 Genacross LHS Paid 0.00 12.00 0.00 24.00 Genacross - LHS-Napoleon Paid 0.00 12.00 0.00 24.00 Lutherwald Paid 0.00 31.00 0.00 62.00 Christmas Cheer Paid 0.00 90.00 0.00 180.00 . Christmas Cheer Received (100.00) 0.00 (200.00) 0.00 FISH Paid 0.00 75.00 0.00 150.00 . FISH Received (250.00) 0.00 (300.00) 0.00 Friendship House Paid 0.00 296.00 0.00 592.00 . Friendship House Rcv'd (520.00) 0.00 (540.00) 0.00 Solid Rock Paid 0.00 47.00 0.00 94.00 Shepherd's Circle Paid 0.00 158.00 0.00 316.00 Redeemer Lutheran Church Paid 84.17 85.00 168.34 170.00 . Redeemer Lutheran Rcv'd (100.00) 0.00 (100.00) 0.00 Flexible Benevolence 0.00 142.00 0.00 284.00 ELCA General Benevolence Paid 957.67 957.00 1,915.34 1,914.00 . ELCA Benevolence Rcv'd (689.00) 0.00 (1,138.00) 0.00 ELCA Hunger Paid 489.33 490.00 978.66 980.00 . ELCA Hunger Rcv'd (680.00) 0.00 (880.00) 0.00 ELCA Disaster Paid 26.33 27.00 52.66 54.00 BENEVOLENCE PAID (1,066.50) 2,453.00 (608.00) 4,906.00

NET BENEVOLENCE INCOME/ (DEFICIT) $ 1,066.50 $ 0.00 $ 608.00 $ 0.00

NET SUMMARY INCOME(DEFICIT) ($ 453.72) $ 0.00 ($ 5,954.33) $ 0.00

Other Income LWR 500.00 Hope Chest 960.00 Capital Improvement 112.00 Please remember to call the church office when . . . 1. You will be moving or have already moved. 2. You have an addition to your family. 3. You have an address update and/or correction, or birthday correction. 4. New email address and/ or phone number. Note: it cost from $.57 to $1.75 for an address correction through the Post Office. An email, phone call or in person is free! Welcome Place News Page 13 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Health Information for St. Martin’s

Welcome Place News Page 14 God’s Work . . . Our Hands! Women of St. Martin’s . . . Kris Jemmott, President

Symbols of the Resurrection The true story of the - from Gather Magazine, April 2019

An egg doesn’t seem like much. Small enough to sit snugly in your palm in a plain white or brown shell, available to buy in any grocery store, convenience store and even some gas stations, an egg is one of the most unassuming, common foods we know. But at Easter time, eggs of all sizes and colors appear everywhere. They are made, hidden, gathered and loved by Christians and non-Christians alike to celebrate the holiday. How did this happen? Eggs are part of the springtime holiday in many religions: An egg is placed on the Jewish Seder plate for Passover, and decorated eggs are shared during the Persian New Year. The connection is natural: As there are more and more hours of daylight in the spring, poultry lay more eggs. Also in springtime, when the food stores of the previous harvest are depleted after a long winter, the return of a steady supply of eggs is a welcome source of nourishment before gardens or fields are producing much or animals are big and fat enough for butchering. Eggs are also a miraculous incarnation of new life: A seemingly inanimate object, resembling a stone or sealed tomb, cracks open to reveal a living, breathing creature. Even an egg cooked for your plate is beautiful: a pure white and gold “chapel,” as poet Anne Sexton once wrote about her breakfast. An eggshell is an irresistible canvas for decoration, whether dunked in cups of dye on your kitchen counter; traced with pencils, crayon, beeswax or markers in simple or intricate patterns (think of Ukrainian Easter eggs); or covered with paper shapes, glitter and even gold leaf. (In 1290, King Edward I of England had 450 eggs gilded to be given as gifts.) It was during the Victorian era, when childhood and family life began to be especially cherished, that dying and hiding eggs became an Easter activity for children. The first chocolate Easter eggs appeared in this era, too. Today, however, Easter eggs most often are either chocolate or plastic eggs, not dyed chicken eggs. Plastic eggs (which can be filled with candy, money or tiny toys) and chocolate eggs are more common these days because they are simpler to prepare, shelf-stable, and more exciting to eat or crack open for most kids than a hardboiled egg. With our busy lives and schedules, who’s to argue with making Easter easier for families and congregations? On the other hand, plastic eggs create more landfill waste if they are not reused each year, and a plastic egg doesn’t have the same, physical connection to new life that a real egg has. Still, many families and churches who use plastic eggs for their Easter egg hunts have told me they also dye hardboiled eggs, both because they see it as part of tradition and because it’s fun. I don’t have children of my own, but I haven’t let that stop me from decorating Easter eggs for my own home. I’ve colored cups of vinegar with the classic PAAS tablets (which, it amazed me to learn, have been on the market since 1880, when a Newark pharmacist began selling them from his shop), and I have tried simple, natural dyes, using pantry items like purple cabbage, herbal tea bags, beets and turmeric.

Continued page 13 Welcome Place News Page 15 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Women of St. Martin’s . . .

This Month’s Schedules . . . Circles are cancelled Sewing, April 20, 9:00 am

Women of St. Martin’s Board Members . . . President—Kris Jemmott Vice President— Secretary—Amy Blankenship Treasurer—Brenda Shibler Mission Action— Mission Growth—Joyce Winzeler Mary Martha Circle—Barb Poston Friendship Circle—Bridget Lovejoy Women’s Breakfast Bible Study—Gwen Grisier

Women of all ages are invited to join the ladies at 7:00 Thursday for breakfast Bible Study at the Home Restaurant. Women of St. Martin’s continued . . . Kris Jemmott, President

Symbols of the Resurrection The true story of the Easter egg - from Gather Magazine, April 2019 continued

When I learned about the old Orthodox tradition of dying eggs red using yellow onion skins, I couldn’t quite believe it would work, so I had to try it. To my astonishment onion skins turned white eggs a dark, mottled shade of red, impossible to describe. Meanwhile, in my research about red eggs, I also learned about the legend of Mary Magdalene and her red egg, well-known in the Orthodox Church and the story most often told to explain the tradition for dying red eggs at Easter. In this legend, Mary Magdalene decided to seek an audience before the Roman Emperor, Tiberius Caesar. Anyone who appeared before Caesar was expected to bring a gift, so Mary Magdalene brought a plain, ordinary egg. She came before the imperial throne holding out the egg in her hand and greeting Tiberias, declaring: “Christ is Risen!” She told him about her teacher and savior, Jesus, and the unfair treatment and death penalty he’d received from Caesar’s own governor, Pontius Pilate. She also told him how Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared, alive, to her and all his disciples. Caesar responded with bored disbelief: “How can anyone rise from the dead? That’s as impossible as that egg in your hand turning red.” And, miraculously, the egg in her hand turned from white to a deep red. In Orthodox iconography, Mary Magdalene is often pictured holding up this red egg in her hand, sometimes with the words, “Christ is Risen,” spelled out on it in tiny letters.

Written by Heidi Haverkamp is an Episcopal priest and author of Advent in Narnia and Holy Solitude, both published by Westminster John Knox Press. She lives in DeKalb, Illinois, with her husband. Welcome Place News Page 16 God’s Work . . . Our Hands!

Welcome Place News Page 18 God’s Work . . . Our Hands! April April Birthdays Anniversaries

1—Bonnie (Wyse) Meyer 3—Paul & Pat Robison 2—Lydia Grime 8—Stan & Deb Schmidt 3—Dawson Liechty 9—Jeff & Jo Ann Benecke Aden McCarty 12—Brett & Shelly Conway 5—Harold Plassman 13—Sam & Connie Lauber Betsy (Wyse) Elting 17—Rich & Joyce Winzeler Joshua Wyse 18—Caleb & Emily Turnbull 6—Audra Pinter 8—Gabriel Short

9—Justin Thatcher 10—Ivy Nehls 11—Drew McCarty More churches lately have been 12—Jeremy Grime resurrecting (pardon the pun!) the Melanie Nagel early-church tradition of Pastor Paul Reichert celebrating the second Sunday of 15—Andrea Avers Easter as Holy Humor Sunday, 16—Judi Rupp affirming the season’s joy. 17—Dane Riley Need some jokes for April 11? Try these: Moriah Reichert MacKenna Whitacre Easter is the only time when it’s perfectly safe to put all 18—Andi Erbskorn your eggs in one basket. Fred Witte, Jr. 19—Mitchell Campbell Knock knock. Who’s there? Hatch. Hatch who? God bless you! Lauren (Rupp) Ice 21—Tyrone Burks What should you do after eating so many Easter Addison Thompson treats? Eggs-ercise! 22—Trey Sonnenberg 23—Bonnie J Lauber Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke? It might crack up! David Schweinhagen 24—Ashton Wyse An irate subscriber called the newspaper, demanding to Jonathan Siewert know where her Sunday edition was. “Ma’am,” said the 25—Joe Delaney employee, “today is Saturday. The Sunday paper isn’t Anne McCarty delivered until Sunday.” After a brief pause, the caller 26—Emma Martenies 27—Bailey Johns spoke with a ray of recognition: Bridget Lovejoy “So that’s why no one was in church today.” Emma Thatcher

Good News from the Welcome Place is the newsletter of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Archbold. Ohio. This non-profit corporation is part of the Northwestern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with Rev. Paul Reichert as pastor. Good News from the Welcome Place is published 11 times per year during the last week of the month. Average circulation per issue is 280 copies. Entered as 3rd class matter, Archbold, Ohio. April, 2021 St. Martin’s Lutheran Church 203 S. Defiance Street Archbold, OH 43502 Phone: 419-445-4656

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Maundy 2 3 Thursday

7:00-Women’s Breakfast 7:00—Worship 9:00-Bulletin Deadline In person & live 12:00 Noon-Steve 7:00-Worship-on line

4 Easter 5 6 7 8 9 10 7:00-Bible Study-zoom 6:30-Men’s Breakfast-FH 5:15-WPW Meal 7:00-Women’s Breakfast

8:00-Worship 4:30-Mutual Ministry Team -drive through 9:00-Bulletin Deadline 9:15-Worship Holy Communion 7:00-WPW Worship 7:00-Church Council 10:00-Sunday School -live broadcast 10:30-Worship 7:35-Catechism-zoom

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9:00-Worship 7:00-Bible Study-zoom 6:30-Men’s Breakfast-FH 5:15-WPW Meal 7:00-Women’s Breakfast

10:00-Sunday School -drive through 9:00-Bulletin Deadline 11:00-Worship 7:00-WPW Worship Holy Communion Confirmation -live broadcast 12-2:00-Farwell drive-thru

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 9:00-Worship 7:00-Bible Study-zoom 6:30-Men’s Breakfast-FH 5:15-WPW Meal 7:00-Women’s Breakfast

10:00-Sunday School 9:00-Sewing Day -drive through 9:00-Bulletin Deadline 10:30-Adult Sunday School 7:00-WPW Worship 9:00-Newsletter Deadline -live broadcast

25 26 27 28 29 30 9:00-Worship 7:00-Bible Study-zoom 6:30-Men’s Breakfast-FH 5:15-WPW Meal 7:00-Women’s Breakfast

10:00-Sunday School 8:30-Newsletter Mailing -drive through 9:00-Bulletin Deadline 10:30-Adult Sunday School 7:00-WPW Worship -live broadcast

Non Profit Org US Postage Paid Permit No. 46 Archbold, OH 43502

St. Martin’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) 203 S. Defiance Street Address Service Requested Archbold, OH 43502-1408 Phone (419) 445-4656 or 445-2952 Web Page: www.the-welcome-place.org E-Mail Address: [email protected]

Worship Schedule

Sunday Worship – 9:00 —Live broadcast

Wednesday WPW Meal—5:15 pm-drive through Worship—7:00 pm—live broadcast

Dated Material: March 23, 2021

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