April 2018 Reformation Lutheran Church Easter Breakfast Join us on the Journey to Easter Sunday, April 1 9:15-10:45 a.m. Maundy Thursday March 29, 12:00 & 7:00 p.m. 12 p.m.—simple communion service 7 p.m. Foot Washing, Prayer Stations, Holy Communion, and Stripping of the Altar Wake up your taste buds at the With nightfall our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Chris- Annual Easter Breakfast! The tians around the world to begin the Three Days during which we participate once Reformation Youth will be again in the saving power of Jesus' passing over from death to life. At the heart of hosting breakfast Easter the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus' commandment to love one another. As Je- morning, April 1, between sus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his example as we worship services, and we need humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. your help to prepare a yummy Good Friday March 30, 5:00 & 7:00 p.m. meal. We are seeking donations 5:00 - An interactive family experience for all of specific breakfast treats: fresh Holy Week is rich with powerful stories about the depth of God’s love for us. But fruits, canned fruits, fruit breads, sometimes those stories and the worship services shaped around them can be orange juice, and egg casseroles. difficult for little ones to understand. In order for families to fully enter into the If you missed your chance to sign wonder and power of this week, you are invited to a special experience on Good up to bring something, contact Friday afternoon, where we will walk together through different pieces of this Pastor Kristin and she’ll let you holy story of Jesus with hands-on experiences. Join us as we enter into this story in a family friendly way. know what we still need. Thanks! 7:00 - A service of Scripture and darkness At the heart of the Good Friday liturgy is the passion according to John, which pro- claims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. The ancient title for Holden Evening Prayer this day - the triumph of the cross - reminds us that the church gathers not to Third Saturday mourn this day but to celebrate Christ's life-giving passion and to find strength and hope in the Tree of Life. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions for all of each Month the world for whom Christ died. 5:30 p.m. Easter Vigil March 31, 7:00 p.m. Do you love Holden Evening with Holy Communion Prayer? Would you like to This is our Passover with Christ from darkness to light, from captivity to freedom, worship using that liturgy more from death to life. Tonight is the heart of our celebration of the Three Days. The often than just on Wednesdays resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in word and sign, as we gather around a pillar during Advent? If you answered of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, and share the food and drink of the prom- “yes,” you are in luck! ised land. Holden Evening Prayer will be Easter Sunday April 1, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. with Holy Communion the foundation of our Saturday 8:30 - Rise worship, led by piano, guitar, percussion and vocalists 11:00 - Traditional worship, led by organ, piano, choirs and brass evening worship on the third Saturday of each month. Join us Christ is risen, indeed! On Easter morning, we are met by an angel at the tomb. at 5:30 p.m. as we sing this With the women and the disciples, we are called to proclaim the amazing news of beautiful liturgy together on a the resurrection. regular basis. Easter Breakfast will be served 9:15-10:45 a.m. Maybe you have heard this joke ning of the week, but by the final day, before… the things they come up with are too many to mention! A couple had two little boys, ages eight Watch for God! and ten, who were excessively mischie- Several years ago, we started a tradi- vous. The two were always getting into tion with the confirmation students trouble and their parents could be during the season of Lent, where they confident that if any mischief occurred were to watch for God and find at in their town, their two young sons least one moment each week when were involved in some capacity. they saw or experienced God at work in their daily lives. They document The parents were at their wit's end as those encounters with pictures, to what to do about their sons' behav- songs, or simply writing about the ior. The parents had heard that a pas- experience, and on our first Wednes- tor in town had been successful in dis- day back together after Easter, we ciplining children in the past, so they share those experiences with one an- contacted him, and he agreed to give it other. It is one of my favorite eve- his best shot. nings of the year. He asked to see the boys individually, I do, however, get a little preview, as so the eight-year-old was sent to meet Pastor Kristin Neitzel Woelk students are supposed to submit one Associate Pastor with him first. The pastor sat the boy God moment a week. These middle down and asked him sternly, "Where is school students have seen God in the God?" The boy made no response, so hospitality of friends, in solid team- the pastor repeated the question in an work with a sports team, through the even sterner tone, "Where is God?" emergency personnel working at the Again the boy made no attempt to an- scene of an accident, in the buds and swer, so the pastor raised his voice flowers of springtime, in the success even more and shook his finger in the of their siblings (yep! it’s true!), and boy's face, "WHERE IS GOD?" even something as simple as having a At that, the boy bolted from the room, few really good days in a row. ran directly home, and slammed him- As we intentionally watch for God, we self in his closet. His older brother fol- will see God everywhere around us – lowed him into the closet and said, because that is where God is! As we "What happened?" The younger broth- Jesus said: journey through Holy Week and into er replied, "We are in BIG trouble this the season of Easter, I encourage you “And remember, time. God is missing and they think we all to watch for God. Not just in wor- I am with you always, did it!" ship, but in every moment of your to the end of the age." The misunderstanding of the pastor’s day. Watch for God in those moments Matthew 28:20 question brings a laugh, but it is a that you feel like you are standing at good question to ask ourselves. As we the foot of the cross. Watch for God in think about the pastor’s question, our resurrection moments of celebration answers may include “everywhere,” and joy. Watch for God in those mo- “in heaven,” or “in my heart,” or, if ments in between, that feel like noth- you are feeling particularly Lutheran, ing special. Because God is in each “in, with and under the bread and one. wine.” Where do YOU see God? Perhaps a rephrasing of the question Watching with you, would help us to think about it in a different way. During Vacation Bible School, it has become a tradition for children and volunteers alike to “Watch for God!” throughout the week. Answers about where they saw God may come slowly at the begin- 2 Yellow Bag Challenge Women of Reformation Calendar April 2 Blanket Makers, 9 a.m. April 12 Rebecca Circle Lesson Leader: Dallas Cronk Hostess: Jolene Dougherty April 16 Blanket Makers, 9 a.m. April 18 Dorcas Circle, 1:30 p.m. Open Door Pantry Focus for April Lesson Leader: Jan Barr Who doesn’t love a casserole and what Hostess: Sandy Muse at church makes a great start for a quick and healthy one? Let’s make the April Food Focus: April 21 Annual Ark River Valley Spring Meeting Resurrection Lutheran Church, 9 a.m. canned meat and fish! Tuna, salmon, chicken, Spam, dried beef – whichever is your family favorite, grab an extra can or two to help feed hungry kids and parents. Beginning April 17 through April 23, we will begin collecting professional attire Don’t forget we always have a need for clothing, shoes and jewelry for Dress for canned vegetables and fruit, boxed Success. macaroni and cheese, dried beans, cereal These items should be clean and only and oatmeal, sugar and flour, soup and gently worn. You may bring your items crackers. Place your items in the grocery anytime the church is open. There will be cart located by the door in Parish Hall. a clothes rack and boxes for collections at the east end of the parish hall by the basketball goal. The mission of Dress for Success is to Best Times of Life empower women to achieve economic Laura Hartley independence by providing a network of support, professional From the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Your support is needed and appreciated. BTOL (Best Times of Life) will meet April 9 at 12:00 p.m.