Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

March 2016

Palm Sunday

March 20th Reading of the Passion

“Amazing Love”

Cantata

8:45 & 10:45 am

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Maundy Thursday, March 24th

Holy Communion Service

7:00 pm

Good Friday, March 25th

Services

11:00 am & 7:00 pm

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Easter Festival Services

Sunday, March 27th

7:00 am

9:00 am

11:00 am

Easter Breakfast will be served from 8:00 am — 10:30 am

Dear Friends in Christ,

As children we all heard the same things over and over again:

"Don't run with scissors!"

"Don't leave the refrigerator door open!"

"Don't put your brother's head in the toilet!"

"Always say ‘please' and ‘thank you.'"

"Look both ways before crossing the street."

"Eat all your vegetables."

"Do your homework first."

"Don't put the cat in the dryer."

And, as children, our tendency was to respond with a "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before." But there's a reason

why some things are said over and over again; a reason why some things must be said over and over again — It's be-

cause we need to hear these important things! We need to hear them over and over again because we don't always "get

it" the first ten times we heard them.

And what are the important things we need to hear over and over again? Anything connected to God's love for us and

our love for God and one another bears repeating. Put simply, some things cannot be said or heard enough, like the

words, "I love you." Such words are packed so chock full of life-giving-meaning that they call out to be heard over and

over again...70x7

This is the case with the parable of the Prodigal Son. Sure, we've heard it before but on March 6th we will hear it again.

We may even think we know all about it, but that doesn't change the fact that the parable of the Prodigal Son is one of

those all-important things we need to hear over and over and over again. Just like the words, "I love you," the parable of

the Prodigal Son is an unapologetic expression of God's radical, sacrificial, extravagant love for you and me and the

whole of the world. So, we're going to hear it again because we need to.

But just what is the message? Is there just one message, just one point to be made? What is it that Jesus wants us to hear

and understand? Why does the parable not have an ending? What is the Good News?

Well, we've been calling this parable the "Prodigal Son." But what exactly does the word "prodigal" mean? Does it mean

lost, wayward, rebellious. Or does it mean excessive, extravagant, lavish, unrestrained, wasteful?

It means all of the above which tells us the Father is a prodigal in a positive sense: he is excessive, extravagant, lavish,

unrestrained, lovingly wasteful. And the two siblings are prodigals in a negative sense: they are lost, wayward, and re-

bellious...each in their own way. So maybe what we have is a family of prodigals; maybe what we have is the church.

If that's the case then we're supposed to find ourselves in the parable. Who are you? Which character are you most like?

Maybe you're a complex person and not limited to just one character. Maybe you see a little Father in you, a little young-

er brother, a little elder sister. Maybe when we hear the parable and include ourselves we discover that love and justice

are given according to what is needed, not according to what is perceived to be deserved.

Maybe one of the messages of the parable is that God the Father claims His children in unconditional love, a love that is

extravagant, excessive, lavish, unrestrained, seemingly foolish and wasteful — a love we call Jesus Christ. Maybe we

need to hear that more often. Maybe we need to hear that over and over again until we really believe it with the whole of

our being.

Jesus leaves us with a parable that has no ending. What will happen to this dysfunctional family is left up to us. Do we

recognize our own lostness? Do we embody the love of God in all we say and do? Are we reconciled one to another?

Would you like to hear it again?

Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Lenten Worship: Good God Questions

What’s in a question? The asking of a question can be an entry point for new dis-

covery. And questions about God can open us to a deeper understanding of the

character of God and God’s mission in the world. Good God Questions feature

teachers from Luther Seminary who love God both with their heart and with their

mind. These brave souls take on some of the most troublesome questions of be-

lievers. Questions we will consider this Lenten season are:

What about my child who is baptized but doesn't believe?

What happens to us after death?

Join us for soup starting a 6:00 pm and worship will begin at 7:00 pm.

Easter Breakfast

Sunday March 27

8:00 – 10:30am

MENU

French Toast

Scrambled Eggs

Sausages

Assorted Baked Goods

Bagels/Muffins

Fruit Salad

Free Will Offering

All donations of baked items

(bought or Home Made) gladly accepted.

Sign up in the Fellowship Hall.

PALM SUNDAY DEDICATIONS

Please submit by Sunday, March 13, 2016

PALMS FOR DISTRIBUTION $20 ___________

ALTAR PALMS $20 ___________

Please PRINT so spelling will be correct in bulletin.

In memory of _____________________________________

In honor of ______________________________________

In thanksgiving ___________________________________

Given by ________________________________________

Update on what’s happening around Church…..

Committee Meetings

Executive Committee — Monday, March 7 at 7:30 pm

Council Meeting — Monday, March 14 at 7 pm

Property Work Morning — Saturday, March 12th from 9 am — 12 pm

March—Make Wednesday Nights Easy! Join your Christ Lutheran Family for a simple supper each Wednesday night

in the Fellowship Hall

March 9th & 16th — 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Lenten Soup Supper at 6 pm followed by Worship at 7 pm.

March 30th — 6:30—7:00 pm

All are welcome from our Bell ringers, Choir members, Confirmation families

and anyone who needs a break from the kitchen for an evening.

In Need of a walker, crutch or other supply to help you get moving again? Our church has several items to lend out.

Contact Carol Schmid at 631-567-2112 who has volunteered to connect people in need with the sup-

plies that have accumulated in the church closet.

Property Work DAY

SATURDAY, March 12th

Beginning at 9 am

Chores and tasks for all ages and abilities! If you are

available for work on another day, please see or call Joe or

Chris. ALL ARE WELCOME!

PROPERTY & MAINTENANCE

REHEARSALS for the PALM SUNDAY

CANTATA — AMAZING LOVE have begun.

Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm until

Lent and then rehearsals will still be on Wednesdays

but after the mid-week worship service.

Palm Sunday is on March 20th and the Cantata will

be sung at both services.

ALTAR FLOWERS & SANCTUARY CANDLE The 2016 Altar Flower and Candle Charts are posted on the Communication Bulletin Board outside Pastor’s Office. Please remember your loved ones with an arrangement of flowers for $18 or by lighting the candle for $10. Use a yellow envelope and mark it Altar Flowers and Candle for your donation.

HYMNAL

DEDICATIONS

AVAILABLE

Hymnals can be

donated in

memory of some

one but also in

honor or thanksgiving for someone.

The cost to donate a hymnal is

$20.00. If you would like to donate

a hymnal, please use the yellow

envelopes. If you have any ques-

tions, please speak to Pastor Mark,

Janet O’Mara or anyone on the

Church Council.

Christopher Mottenski, Joseph Thomesen, Lynn Musa, Barbara Krause, Bernie

Phalen, Eddie Wecera, bertina Gamblin, Mary Stagner, Logsdon Family, Daily Fami-

ly, Owen Preston, Ronald J. J. Fuzia, Maureen Consiglio, Christine Apoian, Bob

Smith, Ruza Rados, Alba Bran, Grace, Albert Vitarelli, Frank Schadock, Eleanor At-

kins, Betty Eichner, John Musa, Lorraine Cunningham, Michael Dinger, Hasan Skin-

ner, John Forman, Rene Doumeng, William Hajek, Jr., Chris Levey, Jeanette Perry,

Davante, Anmol, Justin, Dee Sulima, Margaret Lenahan, Lisa & Marvin, John Ver-

milyea, Jamey Musa, Mona Lang, Amelia Newhoff, Charles Moonsammy, Kenneth Schultheis, Chris-

tine (Johnson) Porter, Ruth Knudsen, Debbie Rasmussen, Robert MacLachlan, Eleanor Owens,

Christine Sparacino, Thomas DeFranza, Gail Callis, Adele Henneborn, Phyliss Stack, Henry Bou-

chard, Bob Lobacz, Kim Schiniener, Leonard Crowe, Cathy McWilliams, Alyssa Furlani, Marie &

Thomas Curr, Jim Musa, Linda Smith, Dorothy Jenssen, Gloria Marsh, Steve Sparacino, Gary

Patera, Lorraine O’Donnel, Paul Bouchard, Bill Paddack, Daniel Taddei, Donald Lemp, Miecia

Webb, Frieda Costa, John & Janice Reilly, Scott Cunningham, Bob Wilson, Kevin Wispell, Kristen

Gilliar, Paulette Schery, Nazema Singh, Joan Deangelis, Tina Crachiolo, Bebe Zalina Singh, Kailey

Marie Johnstone, Albert Trabold, Kenneth Longacre, Jennifer Hassig, Rose Crowe, Christine Lam-

bert, Lane Romano

Marie Schrader, John Jansen, Anita Joanni, Christopher McCarthy, Eugene Diaz, Al Smith, Barbara Bou-

chard, Mary Ann Osborne, Mary Ann Rescigno, Theodore Papamarcos, Anne Marie Lowe, James Hansen,

Helen Muller, Steve Caruso, Diana Mancini, Betty-Jo Molina, Barbara Johnson, Ivy Sukhu, Donna Vito,

Robert Burns, Danielle Fischetti, Cathy Roosa, Edna Muller, Dick Guenste, Christopher Mayotte, Todd

Panzner, Petya Licheva, Jamie Rodriguez, Heather Panzner, Barbara Suchopar, Ron Weber, Dawn Rotolo,

Marisa Carney, Liam Kruer, John Flynn, Paul Harrington, Ruth DeMartino, Linda & John Jeziorkowski,

Ashley Thornberg, Helen Gronus, Reggie Fountain, Gene Fairbrother, Russell Weber, Peg Bartnick, Frances

Quervalu, Sally Sukhu, Dolores Johnson, Asen Traykov, Millie Ramos, Brian Doherty, Jeffery Belford,

Dorothy Heusel, Karen Sussman, Linda Hanna, Pat Geist, Justin Coco, Leigh & Dalton Families, Michelle

Diaz, Thorleif Berntsen, Tom Connors, Joan McDonald, Tricia Ciccone, Iris Simmons, Ryan Hall, Christian

Jean-Pierre, Marie vonBargen, Heather McNamara, Kari Dinges, Neil Blam, Diane Lorelli, Larry Hanna,

Fortunado Paturso, Helen Cacavas, Cathy Murray, Benjamin Archer, Lauren McCormack, Banfalvy family,

SERVING IN THE MILITARY: Alex Newhoff, Nikko Navarro, Travis Montgomery, Billy DeCarlo, Matthew Gallino, Gregory Lon-gacre, Justin Holke, Michael Beiner, Brian McClain, Daniel Eich-ner, Brian Eichner, Sean Moller, Christopher Gaudio, Daniel Riley, Evan Book, Eric Thomesen, Brett Marcinik, Alexandria Gentry

Notes from the Stewardship Committee

E-GIVING Did you know that you can have your weekly offering given to church every week automatically without an envelope? Every week your designated offering is taken out of your bank account and sent directly to church. It’s very simple and you don’t have to worry about forgetting your envelope.

The Women’s Book Group is Back!

March Book Selection is The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman and the discussion will

be led by Helen Gronus on March 6th at the home of Carol

Carty at 12:45 pm.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

3 year olds to 5th Graders

Every Sunday during the 10:45 Service Start your lesson in church with your family, listen to a special

children’s sermon delivered by Pastor and then head to your class-

room to discuss and participate in activities based on the Bible

readings of the day. Lessons, crafts , music and more!

Jr. Youth Group

March 26

Easter Egg Coloring and Hunt

10-1 pm BRUNCH will be served

6th through 8th grades: Confirmation Students are to attend Wednesday Night

Lenten Services during the remainder of March. There will be a light supper at 6:00 pm.

Service begins at 7 pm. In addition , students should be at Maundy Thursday and Good

Friday Services during Holy Week.

Regular Confirmation classes resume on Wednesday, March 30th at 7 pm with a light supper

at 6:30 pm.

Make sure to complete your Confirmation Notes at each service. Forms can be picked up and returned to the basket in the narthex.

Sr. Youth Group News

Good News!!! The Retreat is on! Friday, April 8 – Sunday, April 10. Retreat Topic: Trust and Bonding Exercises Retreat Activities: Hiking, Basketball, Bonfire – weather permitting

Game Room, Board Games (Marathon Monopoly?), Ice Cream Sundaes Retreat Deposit of $50 Due on Sunday, March 13, 2016

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 SYG is hosting the Lenten Soup Supper at 6:00 pm Set-up is 5:00 pm

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Distribution of Easter Food Baskets

Community Notes and

Information

Christ Lutheran Church Food Pantry - Hours are Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 pm Cub Scout Pack 38 - For boys from 1st grade through 5th grade. Call Emy Terhune 631-258-8452 for more information Boy Scout Troop 327 - For boys from 5th grade to the age of 18. Meets every Friday night in the Wolpert Building from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Call Dave Maziarz, Scoutmaster at 834-6118 for more information. Homemakers - Meets at Christ Lutheran Church every Tuesday morning. Call Sandy Deck at 581-1289 for more information.

AA - High Noon Group - meets every weekday at 12:00 noon in the Wolpert Building. AA - Evening Group - Meets Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Wolpert Building at 8:00 pm

CHRISTLUTHERANIT.ORG

Your Passport to Everything at Christ Lutheran Church!

CHECK OUT OUR HOMEPAGE ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB!

Miss a special event or need a little inspiration--check out the

links to listen to the Festival Choir sing a Cantata, relive the

Sunday School pageant, be inspired by the fabulous voices of the Central Islip

High School Concert Choir. Need to check a date — check out the on-line cal-

endar of events. Much more is waiting for you. Go on-line today!

A monthly publication by and for the members of Christ Lutheran Church, Islip Terrace, NY.

Submissions should be made by the 20th of each month. Rev. Mark Kreemer, Pastor Cell: (631) 533-2446

Office: (631)581-1710 E-mail: christchurch.it@verizon.net

Deacon: Janet O’Mara

Congregation Officers: President: Karl Von Seggern Vice President: Lorraine Hajek, Jr. Secretary: Jason Terhune Treasurer: Ricci Ordway Assistant Treasurer: Gail Callis Financial Secretary: Ellen McManus

Parish Coordinator: Madeline Sharrock Parish_coordinator@christlutheranit.org

2016 Church Council

Karl Von Seggern Ricci Ordway Jason Terhune Marie Von Seggern Joe Callis Judy Gauthier Ellen McManus Jean Musa Peter Sharrock Gail Callis Helen Carioscia Lorraine Hajek Jr. Holly Von Seggern Ken Hill Ed Preuss Joan DeAngelis Dawn Rotolo

Become a STEWARD BOOSTER for $10 and have your name printed in

the issue with the designation of your choice.

In memory of ___________________________

In honor of _____________________________

In thanksgiving for __________________________

On the occasion of _________________________

Your Name ______________________________

STEWARD BOOSTERS FOR MARCH 2016

In memory of Nancy by Joe Cervenka

In memory of Nora-Jo by Joe Cervenka

P&J SCHEDULE—WINTER /SPRING 2016

FEB 28 – MARCH 5 ---SHARROCK, VONSEGGERN

MARCH 6 – 12 ----GAUTHIER, BIRSNER, EICHNER

MARCH 13 – 19---- O’TOOLE,PICECE, DEANGELIS, KREB

MARCH 20 – 26 ---KOBEL, CUNNINGHAM

MARCH 27 – APRIL 2 ------ TERHUNE, SUKHU

APRIL 3 – 9 ----- MCWILLIAMS, MUSA, HILL, CARTY

APRIL 10 – 16 – MCMANUS, LAMBDIN, CARIOSCIA

APRIL 17 -23 ----- NEWHOFF, SWAINE, O’MARA

APRIL 24 – 30 --- HOMEMAKERS

MAY 1 – 7 ---- CONFIRMATION CLASS/ SR YOUTH

MAY 8 – 14 ----- SHARROCK, VONSERGGERN

MAY 15 – 21 --- GAUTHIER, BIRSNER, EICHNER

MAY 22 – 28 ---- O’TOOLE,PICECE,DEANGELIS,KREB

MAY 29 – JUNE 4 ----- KOBEL, CUNNINGHAM

JUNE 5 – 11 ----- TERHUNE, SUKHU

If your group cannot do your assigned week, please switch with another

group. We are being counted on to provide two boxes of sandwiches each

and every week! If your group needs help, please recruit your friends,

family and neighbors!

Please let church office know when you are making

sandwiches so delivery

to St Anne’s in Brentwood can be arranged. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

LENTEN FOLDERS

Lent is a time for self-

reflection and a time to focus

more on self-discipline. Christ

was tempted by the devil and

constantly questioned by believ-

ers and those with doubts. The

Lenten Offering Folder is en-

closed for your use as a reminder

of the sacrifices made by God’s

only Son. Please use as part of

your faithful journey through

Lent and return it with your

Easter Offerings.

EASTER DEDICATIONS

Please submit by Sunday, March 20, 2016

FLOWERS FOR THE CROSS $20 ___________

EASTER FLOWERING PLANTS $15 __________

Please PRINT so spelling will be correct in bulletin

In memory of__________________________________

In honor of ____________________________________

In thanksgiving for______________________________

Given by _____________________________________

The Food Pan-

try is beginning

its collection for

Easter Baskets.

Donations of Hams,

Turkeys and Roasting

chickens are needed.

SUNDAY SERVERS for March

3/6/2016 3/13/16 3/20/16 3/27/16

Greeters 8:45 Helen Gronus

Irene Montgomery

Ellen McManus

Bob Lobacz

Jean Musa Kevin O'Mara

Irene

Montgomery

10:45 Chris Swaine Barbara Carney

Vanessa

Von Seggern

Phyllis Kobel

Marie

Von Seggern

Ushers 8:45 Joe Callis

Alan Cunningham

Alan

Cunningham

Bruce Dochnahl

Don Lemp

Alan Cunning-

ham

Alan

Cunningham

Kevin O'Mara

10:45 Al Smith

Bill Schrader

Billy Schrader

Karl

Von Seggern

Jason Terhune

Edward Pruess

Phyllis Kobel

John Kobel

Nicholos Hober

Doug Hajek

Jan Coco

Ron Fuzia

Jim Musa

Tom Primiano

Eucharistic

Ministers

8:45 Ricci Ordway

Betsy Cunningham

Nancy Hill

Ken Hill

Ellen McManus

Helen Gronus

Janet O'Mara

Madeline

Sharrock

10:45 Marie Von Seggern

Karl Von Seggern

Marie

Von Seggern

Marcia Coco

Judy Gauthier

Karl

Von Seggern

Jason Terhune

Dolores Johnson

Assistant

Ministers

8:45 Madeline Sharrock Cathy

McWilliams

Judy Gauthier Janet O'Mara

10:45 Veronica Kreemer Karen Carrier Karl

Von Seggern

Phil Bertuglia

Acolytes 8:45 Joseph Picece

Nicholas Picece

10:45 Dylan Campson Nicholas Monz Jason Birsner

Nursery 10:45 Ginny Da Silva

Amanda Da Silva

Regina Campson Geradine

Lambdin

Emy Terhune

Joshua Terhune

Coffee Hour 8:45 Carol Carty

Billy Carty

Nancy Hill

Ken Hill

Jean Musa

Jim Musa

Phil Bertuglia

10:45 Stan Fuzia Mary Varak

Craig Kadane

Judy Gauthier Janice Fuzia

Ron Fuzia

Altar Guild Alan Cunningham

Betsy Cunningham

Pat Guenste

Cindy Terk

Dee Sulima

Everyone Everyone

The Family of Christ Lutheran Offers

Prayers of Sympathy for the Families of :

Nora-Jo Cervenka — 1st wife of Joe Cervenka

John Gansle—husband of Patricia

Father of Kathy Gansle Stickler

Father-in-law of Dave Stickler

Memorial Service and Luncheon for

Christine Simoncini, mother of Jackie Flamio

Saturday, March 12th at 11:30 am

Take Your Faith Outside this Summer!

Welcome to Camp Ma-He-Tu

Best. Camp. Ever. A sleep away camp for girls ages 7-15. Cel-

ebrating our 78th summer on the shores of

Lake Kanawaukee in Harriman State Park,

Bear Mountain, just 40 miles north of New

York City.

Not ready to let your daughter go to camp on her

own or do you need a break?

Check out Ma-He-Tu’s Wom-en in the Woods - July 2nd

to July 6th 2016 Girls of ALL ages just wanna have fun! Moth-

ers and daughters - Aunts and nieces - Friends

young... and not so young.... All women and

girls are welcome. Come spend one day, or even

a few playing, laughing, singing and relaxing .

Check out the website at http://www.mahetu.org

The 84th Annual Lutheran Summer Conference at Silver

Bay “A week unlike any other.” We invite you to join

three hundred others this summer at the annual Luther-

an Summer Conference on the YMCA’s spectacular cam-

pus at Silver Bay on beautiful Lake George in the Adiron-

dacks. An all-inclusive, Christian getaway with fun for

every age All on-campus accommodations include all

meals and activity costs. A Conference Fee ($65/ person

or $325 maximum for families) includes all Lutheran pro-

gramming, including evening activities, classes and dis-

counted conference rates for Silver Bay. Silver Bay also

offers morning camp programming for all children

through age 13. Saturday, July 16th — Friday, July 22nd,

2016

For more information on Silver Bay contact our

registrar, Karen Hoffman, for information: Luther-

anSummerConference@gmail.com , (203) 454-2842

Pinecrest is a Lutheran Leadership school which meets annually for a one-week session in August to train young

leaders in Christ.

http://pinecrestbuzz.weebly.com/

Christ Lutheran Church

Carleton Ave & Nassau Street

P.O. Box 205

Islip Terrace, NY 11752-0205

Office Phone: (631) 581-1710

The Rev. Mark Kreemer, Pastor

Cell: (631) 533-2446

Dated Material - Please Rush

Current Resident or

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

Growing in the Lord