February Newsletter 2017 - You're Welcome...
Transcript of February Newsletter 2017 - You're Welcome...
The Church Year – A Walk Down Memory Lane
Paging through family photo albums refreshes the memory. Over time we forget old hair and clothing styles, or what we looked like with hair. Those old photos bring to mind classmates, aunts and uncles whom we haven’t seen in decades or who have gone home to heaven. When viewed with a group the stories of yesteryear burst out like popcorn from the kettle. The stories give birth to both smiles and tears as pleasant and painful times are relived in our minds. The Christian church year was wisely set up to simulate a photo album. Each year in the pages of Scripture we walk down memory lane as we relive the life of our Savior. In Luke 2 and Matthew 1 & 2 we see his baby pictures. The Son of God comes into the world born to parents so poor they can’t provide a lamb, just two pigeons, when he is redeemed as Mary’s firstborn son at the temple. There are scenes of a hurried visit to Egypt to avoid Herod’s murderous jealousy and a guarded return to trip to Nazareth. By watching over his Son, God was watching over us. His baby photos are followed by school photos. On his second temple visit we find snap shots of Jesus at twelve years of age obeying the Third Commandment in our place. His Father’s work was more important to him than play and hanging out with friends. On his inauguration day as the Christ, there are shots of John baptizing Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove lighting on him. On this day Jesus received public authority to serve as our prophet, priest and king. From there we have portraits of Jesus on the “North Shore” of Galilee calling disciples, preaching to crowds, healing the sick and raising the dead. Proving and proclaiming himself the Christ, the bread of life, the Good Shepherd, the resurrection and the life, Jesus’ ministry matched the portrait God’s prophets of old had painted of him hundreds even a thousand years earlier. These were the happy times of Jesus’ life that make us smile. Then, like photos from the scene of a fatal car crash, we see God’s Son taking on himself our guilt and our curse. Like a gory YouTube video during Lent we see the Lamb of God arrested and abused by those he came to save. We hear the guiltless one declared guilty and sentenced to an innocent death in Pilot’s courtroom. We recoil at the crack of the whip on his back, the thud of punches to his face, and the crunch of nails piercing his hands and feet. These scenes remind us both how much God hates sin and sinners and yet how much he loves sinners. His death was counted as our death. His life and righteousness are counted as our life and righteousness through faith in him.
4240 Gettysburg Ave New Hope
763-533-0600 www.htlc-wels.org
Holy Trinity
Herald
February 2017
As we turn the page from the gore our hearts soar. The tomb that imprisoned his lifeless body is opened to reveal its emptiness. The confusion of its meaning is cleared up as we see Jesus pictured alive with Mary Magdalene, the two disciples on the way to Emmaus and the eleven in the house together. After forty days of “living proof” appearances, the Bible replays his rise into the sky to the right hand of his Father. That scene reminds us of his promise, “I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). Every year we are privileged to relive these memories as we page through the Bible’s photo album from December through May. The journey is more than nostalgic. It is faith renewing and soul refreshing. Let’s enjoy our Sunday walks down memory lane!!
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Mission Statement
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church exists to:
• Evangelize the lost for life everlasting by sharing the Gospel in our community and world.
• Preserve and strengthen the faith of those who believe in Christ through worship and study of the Word.
• Equip God’s people for kingdom work and service through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel and provide them with opportunities to serve.
IN THIS ISSUE This is a quick view of the important dates or information highlighted in this month’s newsletter. Please add them to your calendar.
• Martin Luther College Chorale – Sunday, February 19th @ 10AM
• Ash Wednesday Service – Wednesday, March 1st at 6:30PM
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please remember the following brothers and sisters in Christ in your prayers:
V Ken Schultz – as he recovers from heart by-‐pass surgery
V The Family of Bette Trask who was called to heaven in January
V Matthew Cephas as he returns to Liberia to instruct pastors there with lessons from his WELS Pastoral Studies Institute Classes
ALL THE NEWS
Lenten Services March 1st, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of our 40 day Lenten Journey. This year’s Lenten series is entitled “Repent. Turn to Jesus!” The theme flows from the critical questions that occasioned the Ninety-‐five Theses and thereby the Lutheran Reformation: What is the essence of repentance? Is repentance the act of “doing penance”—making satisfaction for sin? Or is repentance something else entirely? Repentance, Luther came to see, is God’s gracious gift to us. Luther proclaimed the biblical truth that the believer’s entire life is a life of repentance—a daily return to the saving waters of Baptism. Lenten services will be held Wednesdays at 6:30 PM beginning March 1st with our Ash Wednesday service that will include communion and the imposition of ashes. Pastor Klatt will be rotating pulpits with the pastors of King of Grace, Golden Valley; Timothy, St. Louis Park; Ascension, Plymouth. Join in the spiritual journey of Lent to refresh and renew your faith!
Martin Luther College Chorale Sunday, February 19th, the Chorale of Martin Luther College (our WELS college of ministry in New Ulm, MN) will share the word of gospel in song in our 10:00 AM worship service. The service will be followed by a potluck dinner. Each congregation family is asked bring a main dish and salad or dessert. Please mark the date on your calendar. You won’t want to miss it.
Seminary Chorus The Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Chorus is made up of men studying to be pastors in the WELS at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. The chorus will be appearing at two area locations the first week of March: 7:00 PM Thursday, March 2nd at Cross of Christ, Coon Rapids and at West Lutheran High School at 2:00 PM, on Friday, March 3rd. You are invited to hear the gospel in song.
L-‐Shaped Office Desk Needed Mrs. Hanson, our child care director, is in need of an L-‐shaped office desk for the child care office. A second hand desk in good condition would be acceptable. If you have one or know where one is available please contact Mrs. Hanson at 763-‐533-‐0600 x.209 or [email protected].
Camp Croix 2017 Registration Registration will open on January 2nd, 2017. Don't miss this opportunity to brighten your child's summer. Children going into 4th -‐ 9th grade are welcome to take part in this wonderful week of God's Word, swimming, sports, games,
crafts, mission work, and more. Counselors and staff are also needed! We offer three weeks of summer camp -‐ July 9-‐15, July 16-‐22, or July 23-‐29. For more information, and to register, go to www.campcroix.org.
Administrative Assistant Position
At its annual meeting the voters of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church approved funding a part-‐time administrative assistant position for the church, child care center, and school. We are requesting resumes from members who are interested in this position. Applicants can expect to work up to 20 hours per week. Compensation will be $13/hour. Copies of the job description with desired skills are available on the narthex console. Please submit resumes to the church office.
West Gala & Auction On Saturday, April 8, 2017 the West Lutheran High School Gala & Auction event will be held. The theme this year is Come Sail Away. In addition to a silent and live auction, this event will include a “Captain’s Dinner”, fun games, and exciting events throughout the evening. Proceeds from this year’s event will be directed to the WLHS tuition assistance fund and for parking lot repair and improvements. Watch for more information to come!
Box Tops for Education Our spring submission is at the end of February. Please bring in your box tops now so they can be counted and sent it. You can put them in the mailboxes of Bonnie Buskirk or Sandy Thurber.
Card Rack There are many different cards available for every upcoming season – Easter, Confirmation, Graduation, Weddings, Birthdays. Please stop by and take a look. Proceeds from card sales support the many projects for the Sisters in Christ group.
Recycled cards 50¢ Hand-‐stamped cards $1.00 Gift card holders $2.00 Boxed cards $3.00 -‐ $4.00
Holy Trinity Lutheran School With spring on its way, we will soon see the temperatures rise. We will also get to learn more about the work of our Savior Jesus during this upcoming Lenten season. His perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection has saved all of us from the depths of hell and given us a home in heaven. Now that is something that can keep us feeling warm all the time. Here are the major highlights of some recent/upcoming school activities
1. TASTE OF KINDERGARTEN – Mrs. Roth held a “Taste of Kindergarten” event in her classroom early in January. She had 17 PreK students attend. She is planning to have a similar event in March.
2. SCHOOL PROSPECTS -‐-‐ Last week, some parents and I visited Ascension’s PreK and spoke with a few of their parents. We gave them some goodie bags, school information, and invited them to an Open House / Movie Night on February 3rd. We also have a number of prospects from our PreK and SLCC PreK. They were all invited to the Open House. I will follow up with any interested families soon after the event.
3. WELSSA – The faculty is reviewing our self-‐study report, WELSSA 5-‐year plan, and information bin to see what needs further updating. In the coming months, the faculty will bring all necessary needs/updates to the appropriate groups. We currently have completed over 30 of the 47 recommendations from the WELSSA visiting team. We are on pace to complete all of the
recommendations by December 2018. Our next WELSSA visit is in early 2019.
4. SURVEY -‐-‐ Mr. Roth and the Board of Education sent surveys to all school families and other groups. The school is seeking their input on a variety of topics. We plan to gather the information and use it to plan for the future to make Holy Trinity an even better place for Christian education.
5. BASKETBALL – Some of our 4th-‐8th graders are
currently participating in basketball. The B-‐teams will play in a tournament at West Lutheran on February 4-‐5. The following weekend, the A-‐teams will compete in our league tournament at West and St. Croix. They will also travel to Martin Luther College to compete in a tournament. Special thanks to all the parents, players, and coaches for a successful basketball season. GO RAMS!
6. DRAMA AUDITIONS -‐-‐ Mrs. Denninger
and the cast are in the early stages of preparing for "The Mystery at the Cookie Jar.” It is part musical, party mystery, part preteen romance, mostly comedy, and a whole lot of poodle skirts. Performances are Friday March 24th at 6:30p and Saturday, March 25th. We also plan to have a Band concert and have the Junior Choir perform on the evening of the 24th.
7. QUESTIONS -‐-‐ If you would like to speak
with me about any school related joys and concerns, please let me know. Your feedback is truly appreciated
May our Lord bless us with confidence, as we live and work for Him.
In Christ’s Service, Ryan Roth, Principal