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Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church 326 Leroy Street Audubon, IA 50025 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Audubon, Iowa Permit No. 75

“Knowing Jesus, Growing in Jesus, Sharing Jesus” 1

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church March, 2019 Shepherd’s Staff

LCMC Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ

OSLC address: 326 Leroy Street, Audubon, Iowa 50025

OSLC Telephone: (712) 563-2625 Pastor Ben’s Cell #: 805-444-1364

OSLC Website: oslcauduboniowa.org

OSLC Email: oslc@iowatelecom.net Pastor Ben’s Email: oslcpastor@windstream.net

Audubon Ecumenical Lenten Prayer Breakfasts (for men & women) Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m.

March 12th – Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

Watch the bulletins for locations for the following Lenten Breakfasts:

March 19th, March 26th, April 2nd & April 9th

Volunteers needed to help provide and serve Lent suppers Servers are needed for Lenten suppers each Wednesday, March 20th-April 10th. This could be a

committee, group or individuals or a fundraising opportunity. Supplies may be charged to the church. Please contact the church office if you are interested or have questions.

Easter Lily Would you like to sponsor an Easter lily to adorn our sanctuary on Easter morn-

ing? The cost is $15 each. You may take your lily after the 9:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship

service. Look for the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board above the water fountain or

contact the church office. Thank you!

World Day of Prayer Ecumenical gathering will be

hosted by OSLC Women of Faith on Friday, March 1st, 9:30 a.m. Brunch will be served by OSLC Women of Faith with a program

called, ―Come Everything is Ready‖ to follow in the sanctuary by First United Methodist women.

Plan to attend this time of ecumenical fellowship and bring a friend!

OSLC Aebleskiver Supper Wednesday, March 13th

Serving from 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. in the downstairs social room.

Free-will donation that goes towards attending Bible Camp.

Wednesday Lenten worship follows at 7:00 p.m.

Church Music Sunday will be celebrated February 24th

during worship with ―Behind the Cross‖ Praise Band, Senior Choir, and Kids Choir singing some

of their favorite songs. Ron Quanbeck, Okoboji Bible

Camp Director will be sharing during worship and joining our youth

in Sunday School.

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I’m somebody! I grew up on the Avenue on the Saints—US Highway 218 between Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Saint Louis, Missouri, running right through Saint Ansgar, Iowa!

No wonder I’m so saintly, even the mascot in Saint Ansgar is the Saints. But people told me wrong. The Avenue of the Saints follows US 218 but not through Saint Ansgar. I was lied to. I was cheated. Does that mean I am not a saint?

Every week I gathered with the saints in our beautiful old church building. I wanted to ring the bell, but they said that I was too small. I wore a robe and lit the candles as seriously as I could. I sang out loudly as most of these saints did. Almo boomed bass from the back. Verdie led with soprano from the front, and the rest of us filled in. I listened to long Scripture readings and tried to make sense of them. I attempted not to fidget through the sermon.

Listening carefully—when I wasn’t off daydreaming--I learned some pretty important truths. God made the whole world, and he loves me. Sin breaks God’s heart. God sent his Son, Jesus, to conquer sin and make me his child. God is with me everywhere I go, guiding, warning, providing and protecting me. God has put me here with all these other saints to be his hands and feet in my community. God has separated me for himself—made me a saint.

I also understood that I could cooperate with God or get in his way. I could submit my will to his or ignore him and do things my way instead. I heard from the Bible that going my way is difficult, but temptation lies to make it look easy and smooth. Sometimes I didn’t feel like a saint. Sometimes I didn’t talk or act like a saint.

Every spring Lent came. I was reminded that Jesus’ love for me knows absolutely no boundary. I cannot adopt myself into God’s family; that’s God’s work. I cannot wash away my wrong; that’s God’s work. I cannot starve or suffer my way into God’s favor; God already looks at me with boundless favor—we call it grace!

As we walk through Lent together, I encourage you to relish God’s overwhelming favor toward you. His boundless love and grace are ―new every morning‖ (Lamentations 3:23). How can you cultivate, deepen your awareness of this? From now till Easter, what could you alter in your schedule or habits to help you focus more on Jesus and his love for you and those around you?

Pastor Ben Unseth

It’s so uplifting to hear the instrumental ensemble at the 9:00 a.m. Easter morning service as we sing ―Jesus Christ is Risen Today‖! Brandon Toft will be leading the ensemble and is

in need of musicians, high school age on up. Please contact the church office or Brandon (712-790-4034) if you are interested in playing in the ensemble. A brief rehearsal is held

at approximately 8:15 a.m. in the sanctuary on Easter morning.

Congratulations and God’s Blessings to Theodore Allen Kellner

baptized at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, February 17th.

Theodore is the Son of Trey & Heather Kellner and his sponsors are Andrew & Melissa Marshall. We give thanks for God’s gift of new life in Jesus Christ!

Please help Pastor Walt Kukkonen celebrate his 75th birthday with a surprise card shower! Cards will be given to Pastor Walt on March 3rd! Cards may be sent to:

Walt Kukkonen. C/O Lori Shelton 420 120th LN NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448

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Stewardship Square

Regular offerings 01/27 $2,745.00 02/03 $7,032.57 02/10 $3,070.00 02/17 $2,000.00

Weekly Worship Attendance 01/27 100 02/03 172 02/10 142 02/17 98

Needed Weekly to meet budget—$7,202.30 If you have any questions regarding the OSLC financial report, you are welcome to contact our Office Manager Pam Steckler or our Council Treasurer Brandon Toft.

Online Giving To donate online, go to the OSLC website http://oslcauduboniowa.org and click on the online giving

tab located at the upper right hand corner of the webpage. Questions, contact the church office.

Weather Cancellations If worship services, Sunday School, or church activities are cancelled due to bad weather, it will be

announced on KSOM 96.5 FM (www.965ksom.com) or KJAN 1220 AM (www.kjan.com). Please use your best judgment for your circumstances regarding attending worship during inclement

weather. Worship services will usually only be cancelled if town street are impassable. If school is cancelled or dismissed early on a Wednesday due to bad weather,

Kids Choir and Confirmation will not be held. If Wednesday school early out is cancelled due to a late start,

Kids Choir will be held after school until 4:30 and Confirmation will be held 4:00-5:00.

Palm Sunday Ecumenical Music Service Exira Lutheran Church is hosting a Palm Sunday ecumenical music service on

April 14th at 7:00 p.m. Coffee fellowship will follow the service. OSLC Senior Choir and area church choirs will be participating.

Congregational Meal Guidelines Advent Suppers, Lenten Suppers, etc.

*There is a budgeted amount for expenses incurred for congregational meals such as soup suppers. *Please charge all supplies (soup ingredients, sandwiches, bars, drinks, etc.) at Audubon Food Land to OSLC. You will be asked to sign a charge slip. Along with signing your name, indicate what you are purchasing supplies for (such as ―Soup Supper‖). This allows the church office to know where to categorize the expense as other groups also charge during the month. *If you need to purchase supplies somewhere other than Audubon Food Land and pay for them personally, please turn in a receipt for reimbursement within one week of the event. *If you have a free-will basket, the proceeds will go into the non-designated Memorial Fund unless a specific need has been pre-determined. *Since there is a budgeted expense for these meals, no one should need to incur personal expense when volunteering to help. Please consider your volunteer time as your donation.

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Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp Check out okoboji.org for information and camp dates. The majority of OSLC youth will be attending the week of July 7th. Register by March 1st and save $30 per camper. An extra $10 discount is applied

because OSLC is a camp association congregation. Camp brochures located by the coat racks.

Camp scholarships are available to help with the cost of attending Bible Camp. OSLC will reimburse the following per camper:

1st time camper: OSLC pays 3/4 of total cost. 2nd time camper: OSLC pays 2/3 of total cost. 3rd and 4th time camper: OSLC pays 1/2 of the total cost.

Confirmation students completing their confirmation camp requirement will pay $50.

Non Member children and youth who are active in OSLC children and youth ministries would also qualify for the same level of campership support. Examples, ―Behind The Cross‖ Praise Band, Kids

Choir, Confirmation, Sunday School, etc. Questions, contact the church office.

MARCH USHERS Steve Mathisen, Captain, Jeff Albertsen, Danny Budd, Brian Jensen, Kyle Kjergaard, Wes Thygesen, Bruce Andersen TAXI DRIVER Wes Thygesen ALTAR GUILD Paula Hansen, Donis Hansen, Pat Sunberg ACOLYTES 3- Michelle Brooks Zeke Konkler 6- Alexis Obermeier Cooper Nielsen 10- Sienna Albertsen Carson Vorm 13- Madi Doonan Collin Bauer 17- Keegan Deist Mattie Nielsen 20- Abbie Erickson Morgan Smith 24- Ashlyn Pruitt Brittany Huston 27- Ava Slater Jordan Porsch 31- Carson Bauer Alexis Obermeier PROJECTION SYSTEM 3- Curtis Derry 6- Shannon Jensen 10- 13- Krystal Albertsen

17- Shannon Jensen 20- Curtis Derry 24- Raydene Mathisen 27- 31- VIDEO OPERATORS 3- Ken Burns 10- Brian Jensen 17- Dan Jorgensen 24- Dan Christensen 31- Frank Olsen SOUND OPERATORS 3- Logan Nielsen 6- Jane Weber 10- Brandon Toft 13- Bob Weber 17- Krystal Albertsen 20- Logan Nielsen 24- Patrick Hamilton 27- Krystal Albertsen 31- Brandon Toft JUNIOR HIGH SS PARENT 3- Allie Brooks 10- Krystal Albertsen 17- 24- 31- Jen Deist NURSERY 3- Melissa Starmer 10- Sharon Winterboer 17- 24- 31-

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2019 LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES and HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Ash Wednesday, March 6th 7:00 Worship Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes

Wednesday, March 13th 7:00 p.m. Worship 5:00 – 6:45 p.m. Aebleskiver Supper

Wednesday, March 20th 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 – 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, March 27th 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 -6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 3rd 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 -6:45 p.m.

Wednesday April 10th 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 -6:45 p.m.

Palm Sunday, April 14th 9:00 a.m. Worship Children are invited to participate in a Palm Processional at the beginning of the service.

The Rock youth group will present a crucifixion reenactment entitled “This Blood”. Sunday School children will sing at the Friendship Home during the SS hour.

Maundy Thursday, April 18th 7:00 p.m. Worship Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion

Good Friday, April 19th 7:00 p.m. Worship Good Friday Tenebrae Service

Easter Sunday, April 21st 8:00 a.m. & 9:00 a.m. Worship 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Worship Service with Holy Communion

8:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship with Holy Communion

The Rock News for March: Special Thank You to those that supported The Rock and ordered from us

for ―Soup-er Bowl‖. We hope you enjoyed your food and the game! Dates to remember:

February 24th: Pizza and Movie afternoon at OSLC 1PM, come and relax with us!

March 13th: Aebleskiver Supper half of our confirmation kids will work this supper and half will work the Easter Breakfast. Please text

Tracie which one you can work. March 15th-16th: IGNITE youth leadership conference in Des Moines.

(Needed to be signed up by February 20th) April 14: The Rock puts on ―This Blood‖ presentation for the congregation on Palm Sunday. We will have a practice afternoon (date to be announced when we get closer for practice) and we will need many youth to help. You don’t need to speak, just act out. Practice/Pizza TBA

High School Youth: Remember Sunday night is high school youth group at 7PM OSLC. Come enjoy your Sunday evening with us and bring a friend!

The Rock Youth Group Leaders: Tracie (304-1256), Sara (304-2363), Nate (304-0548)

Facebook: The Rock OSLC OSLC website: oslcauduboniowa.org The Rock Email: therockaudubon@gmail.com

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1 9:30 World Day of Prayer brunch/service at OSLC

Exodus 20 (God Gives the Ten Commandments)

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Exodus 32 (Jews Worship a Golden Calf)

3 The Transfiguration of Our Lord 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 11:15 Worship Committee Meeting 11:15 ―BTC‖ Praise Band Practice 3:00 Jail Ministry Visit 7:00 High School Youth Group 1 Corinthians 10 (Whatever You Do, Do It All for the Glory of God)

4 9:00 Staff Meeting Exodus 34 (God Makes Moses Radiant)

5 7:00 Men’s Bible Study 9:00 Women’s Bible Study Exodus 40 (God’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle)

6 Ash Wednesday 9:30 Caring & Sharing 2:30 Kids Choir 7:00 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion Worship Isaiah 58 (God’s Chosen Fast)

7 Leviticus 1 (The Burnt Offering)

8 Leviticus 16 (The Day of Atonement)

9 1:00 Social Room reserved for a Baby Shower Leviticus 23 (The Appointed Festivals)

10 First Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 11:15 Education Committee Meeting 4:00 Exira Care Center Vespers 7:00 High School Youth Group Hebrews 3 (Jesus Is Greater Than Moses)

11 9:00 Staff Meeting 1:15 Quilting 6:30 Building & Property Committee Meeting Leviticus 25 (The Sabbath and Jubilee Years)

12 6:30 Lenten Breakfast at OSLC 9:00 Women’s Bible Study 2:00 Naomi Circle Bible Study Numbers 9 (God Guides Jews with a Cloud)

13 2:30 Kids Choir 5:00-6:45 Aebelskiver Supper 7:00 Lent Worship Joel 2 (The Day of the Lord Is Great and Dreadful)

14 10:30 Friendship Home Communion 6:00 Church Council Meeting

Shepherd’s Staff Deadline

Numbers 13 (Twelve Spies Explore Canaan)

15 Ignite Youth Conference in Des Moines (15th & 16th) Numbers 14 (Jews Refuse to God to Canaan)

16 Numbers 20 (Moses Again Brings Water from a Rock)

17 Second Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 11:15 ―BTC‖ Praise Band Practice 7:00 High School Youth Group Ephesians 5 (Counsel for Husbands and Wives)

18 9:00 Staff Meeting Deuteronomy 6 (The Greatest Commandment)

19 6:30 Lenten Breakfast 9:00 Women’s Bible Study Deuteronomy 28 (God’s Blessings and Curses)

20 2:30 Kids Choir 6:00-6:45 Lent Supper 7:00 Lent Worship Amos 8 (God Will Punish Israel)

21 9:30 Ruth Circle Bible Study Deuteronomy 30 (God Offers Life or Death)

22 Joshua 1 (Joshua Succeeds Moses)

23 Joshua 2 (Rahab Hides the Spies)

24 Third Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship with ―BTC‖ Praise Band 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 7:00 High School Youth Group James 2 (God’s Law and Faith)

25 9:00 Staff Meeting 1:15 Quilting Joshua 3 (The Jews Cross the Jordan River)

26 6:30 Lenten Breakfast 9:00 Women’s Bible Study Joshua 6 (The Jews Build and Altar)

27 2:30 Kids Choir 6:00-6:45 Lent Supper 7:00 Lent Worship Obadiah 1 (The Day of the Lord)

28 Joshua 24 (The Jews renew God’s Covenant)

29 Judges 4 (Deborah Frees the Jews)

30 Judges 6 (God Calls Gideon)

31 Fourth Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 7:00 High School Youth Group Judges 7 (Gideon Frees the Jews) (God’s Law and Faith)

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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1 9:30 World Day of Prayer brunch/service at OSLC

Exodus 20 (God Gives the Ten Commandments)

2

Exodus 32 (Jews Worship a Golden Calf)

3 The Transfiguration of Our Lord 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 11:15 Worship Committee Meeting 11:15 ―BTC‖ Praise Band Practice 3:00 Jail Ministry Visit 7:00 High School Youth Group 1 Corinthians 10 (Whatever You Do, Do It All for the Glory of God)

4 9:00 Staff Meeting Exodus 34 (God Makes Moses Radiant)

5 7:00 Men’s Bible Study 9:00 Women’s Bible Study Exodus 40 (God’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle)

6 Ash Wednesday 9:30 Caring & Sharing 2:30 Kids Choir 7:00 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion Worship Isaiah 58 (God’s Chosen Fast)

7 Leviticus 1 (The Burnt Offering)

8 Leviticus 16 (The Day of Atonement)

9 1:00 Social Room reserved for a Baby Shower Leviticus 23 (The Appointed Festivals)

10 First Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 11:15 Education Committee Meeting 4:00 Exira Care Center Vespers 7:00 High School Youth Group Hebrews 3 (Jesus Is Greater Than Moses)

11 9:00 Staff Meeting 1:15 Quilting 6:30 Building & Property Committee Meeting Leviticus 25 (The Sabbath and Jubilee Years)

12 6:30 Lenten Breakfast at OSLC 9:00 Women’s Bible Study 2:00 Naomi Circle Bible Study Numbers 9 (God Guides Jews with a Cloud)

13 2:30 Kids Choir 5:00-6:45 Aebelskiver Supper 7:00 Lent Worship Joel 2 (The Day of the Lord Is Great and Dreadful)

14 10:30 Friendship Home Communion 6:00 Church Council Meeting

Shepherd’s Staff Deadline

Numbers 13 (Twelve Spies Explore Canaan)

15 Ignite Youth Conference in Des Moines (15th & 16th) Numbers 14 (Jews Refuse to God to Canaan)

16 Numbers 20 (Moses Again Brings Water from a Rock)

17 Second Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 11:15 ―BTC‖ Praise Band Practice 7:00 High School Youth Group Ephesians 5 (Counsel for Husbands and Wives)

18 9:00 Staff Meeting Deuteronomy 6 (The Greatest Commandment)

19 6:30 Lenten Breakfast 9:00 Women’s Bible Study Deuteronomy 28 (God’s Blessings and Curses)

20 2:30 Kids Choir 6:00-6:45 Lent Supper 7:00 Lent Worship Amos 8 (God Will Punish Israel)

21 9:30 Ruth Circle Bible Study Deuteronomy 30 (God Offers Life or Death)

22 Joshua 1 (Joshua Succeeds Moses)

23 Joshua 2 (Rahab Hides the Spies)

24 Third Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship with ―BTC‖ Praise Band 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 7:00 High School Youth Group James 2 (God’s Law and Faith)

25 9:00 Staff Meeting 1:15 Quilting Joshua 3 (The Jews Cross the Jordan River)

26 6:30 Lenten Breakfast 9:00 Women’s Bible Study Joshua 6 (The Jews Build and Altar)

27 2:30 Kids Choir 6:00-6:45 Lent Supper 7:00 Lent Worship Obadiah 1 (The Day of the Lord)

28 Joshua 24 (The Jews renew God’s Covenant)

29 Judges 4 (Deborah Frees the Jews)

30 Judges 6 (God Calls Gideon)

31 Fourth Sunday in Lent 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Sunday School 7:00 High School Youth Group Judges 7 (Gideon Frees the Jews) (God’s Law and Faith)

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp Check out okoboji.org for information and camp dates. The majority of OSLC youth will be attending the week of July 7th. Register by March 1st and save $30 per camper. An extra $10 discount is applied

because OSLC is a camp association congregation. Camp brochures located by the coat racks.

Camp scholarships are available to help with the cost of attending Bible Camp. OSLC will reimburse the following per camper:

1st time camper: OSLC pays 3/4 of total cost. 2nd time camper: OSLC pays 2/3 of total cost. 3rd and 4th time camper: OSLC pays 1/2 of the total cost.

Confirmation students completing their confirmation camp requirement will pay $50.

Non Member children and youth who are active in OSLC children and youth ministries would also qualify for the same level of campership support. Examples, ―Behind The Cross‖ Praise Band, Kids

Choir, Confirmation, Sunday School, etc. Questions, contact the church office.

MARCH USHERS Steve Mathisen, Captain, Jeff Albertsen, Danny Budd, Brian Jensen, Kyle Kjergaard, Wes Thygesen, Bruce Andersen TAXI DRIVER Wes Thygesen ALTAR GUILD Paula Hansen, Donis Hansen, Pat Sunberg ACOLYTES 3- Michelle Brooks Zeke Konkler 6- Alexis Obermeier Cooper Nielsen 10- Sienna Albertsen Carson Vorm 13- Madi Doonan Collin Bauer 17- Keegan Deist Mattie Nielsen 20- Abbie Erickson Morgan Smith 24- Ashlyn Pruitt Brittany Huston 27- Ava Slater Jordan Porsch 31- Carson Bauer Alexis Obermeier PROJECTION SYSTEM 3- Curtis Derry 6- Shannon Jensen 10- 13- Krystal Albertsen

17- Shannon Jensen 20- Curtis Derry 24- Raydene Mathisen 27- 31- VIDEO OPERATORS 3- Ken Burns 10- Brian Jensen 17- Dan Jorgensen 24- Dan Christensen 31- Frank Olsen SOUND OPERATORS 3- Logan Nielsen 6- Jane Weber 10- Brandon Toft 13- Bob Weber 17- Krystal Albertsen 20- Logan Nielsen 24- Patrick Hamilton 27- Krystal Albertsen 31- Brandon Toft JUNIOR HIGH SS PARENT 3- Allie Brooks 10- Krystal Albertsen 17- 24- 31- Jen Deist NURSERY 3- Melissa Starmer 10- Sharon Winterboer 17- 24- 31-

3

2019 LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES and HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Ash Wednesday, March 6th 7:00 Worship Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes

Wednesday, March 13th 7:00 p.m. Worship 5:00 – 6:45 p.m. Aebleskiver Supper

Wednesday, March 20th 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 – 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, March 27th 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 -6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 3rd 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 -6:45 p.m.

Wednesday April 10th 7:00 p.m. Worship Lenten Supper 6:00 -6:45 p.m.

Palm Sunday, April 14th 9:00 a.m. Worship Children are invited to participate in a Palm Processional at the beginning of the service.

The Rock youth group will present a crucifixion reenactment entitled “This Blood”. Sunday School children will sing at the Friendship Home during the SS hour.

Maundy Thursday, April 18th 7:00 p.m. Worship Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion

Good Friday, April 19th 7:00 p.m. Worship Good Friday Tenebrae Service

Easter Sunday, April 21st 8:00 a.m. & 9:00 a.m. Worship 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Worship Service with Holy Communion

8:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship with Holy Communion

The Rock News for March: Special Thank You to those that supported The Rock and ordered from us

for ―Soup-er Bowl‖. We hope you enjoyed your food and the game! Dates to remember:

February 24th: Pizza and Movie afternoon at OSLC 1PM, come and relax with us!

March 13th: Aebleskiver Supper half of our confirmation kids will work this supper and half will work the Easter Breakfast. Please text

Tracie which one you can work. March 15th-16th: IGNITE youth leadership conference in Des Moines.

(Needed to be signed up by February 20th) April 14: The Rock puts on ―This Blood‖ presentation for the congregation on Palm Sunday. We will have a practice afternoon (date to be announced when we get closer for practice) and we will need many youth to help. You don’t need to speak, just act out. Practice/Pizza TBA

High School Youth: Remember Sunday night is high school youth group at 7PM OSLC. Come enjoy your Sunday evening with us and bring a friend!

The Rock Youth Group Leaders: Tracie (304-1256), Sara (304-2363), Nate (304-0548)

Facebook: The Rock OSLC OSLC website: oslcauduboniowa.org The Rock Email: therockaudubon@gmail.com

2

I’m somebody! I grew up on the Avenue on the Saints—US Highway 218 between Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Saint Louis, Missouri, running right through Saint Ansgar, Iowa!

No wonder I’m so saintly, even the mascot in Saint Ansgar is the Saints. But people told me wrong. The Avenue of the Saints follows US 218 but not through Saint Ansgar. I was lied to. I was cheated. Does that mean I am not a saint?

Every week I gathered with the saints in our beautiful old church building. I wanted to ring the bell, but they said that I was too small. I wore a robe and lit the candles as seriously as I could. I sang out loudly as most of these saints did. Almo boomed bass from the back. Verdie led with soprano from the front, and the rest of us filled in. I listened to long Scripture readings and tried to make sense of them. I attempted not to fidget through the sermon.

Listening carefully—when I wasn’t off daydreaming--I learned some pretty important truths. God made the whole world, and he loves me. Sin breaks God’s heart. God sent his Son, Jesus, to conquer sin and make me his child. God is with me everywhere I go, guiding, warning, providing and protecting me. God has put me here with all these other saints to be his hands and feet in my community. God has separated me for himself—made me a saint.

I also understood that I could cooperate with God or get in his way. I could submit my will to his or ignore him and do things my way instead. I heard from the Bible that going my way is difficult, but temptation lies to make it look easy and smooth. Sometimes I didn’t feel like a saint. Sometimes I didn’t talk or act like a saint.

Every spring Lent came. I was reminded that Jesus’ love for me knows absolutely no boundary. I cannot adopt myself into God’s family; that’s God’s work. I cannot wash away my wrong; that’s God’s work. I cannot starve or suffer my way into God’s favor; God already looks at me with boundless favor—we call it grace!

As we walk through Lent together, I encourage you to relish God’s overwhelming favor toward you. His boundless love and grace are ―new every morning‖ (Lamentations 3:23). How can you cultivate, deepen your awareness of this? From now till Easter, what could you alter in your schedule or habits to help you focus more on Jesus and his love for you and those around you?

Pastor Ben Unseth

It’s so uplifting to hear the instrumental ensemble at the 9:00 a.m. Easter morning service as we sing ―Jesus Christ is Risen Today‖! Brandon Toft will be leading the ensemble and is

in need of musicians, high school age on up. Please contact the church office or Brandon (712-790-4034) if you are interested in playing in the ensemble. A brief rehearsal is held

at approximately 8:15 a.m. in the sanctuary on Easter morning.

Congratulations and God’s Blessings to Theodore Allen Kellner

baptized at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, February 17th.

Theodore is the Son of Trey & Heather Kellner and his sponsors are Andrew & Melissa Marshall. We give thanks for God’s gift of new life in Jesus Christ!

Please help Pastor Walt Kukkonen celebrate his 75th birthday with a surprise card shower! Cards will be given to Pastor Walt on March 3rd! Cards may be sent to:

Walt Kukkonen. C/O Lori Shelton 420 120th LN NW Coon Rapids, MN 55448

7

Stewardship Square

Regular offerings 01/27 $2,745.00 02/03 $7,032.57 02/10 $3,070.00 02/17 $2,000.00

Weekly Worship Attendance 01/27 100 02/03 172 02/10 142 02/17 98

Needed Weekly to meet budget—$7,202.30 If you have any questions regarding the OSLC financial report, you are welcome to contact our Office Manager Pam Steckler or our Council Treasurer Brandon Toft.

Online Giving To donate online, go to the OSLC website http://oslcauduboniowa.org and click on the online giving

tab located at the upper right hand corner of the webpage. Questions, contact the church office.

Weather Cancellations If worship services, Sunday School, or church activities are cancelled due to bad weather, it will be

announced on KSOM 96.5 FM (www.965ksom.com) or KJAN 1220 AM (www.kjan.com). Please use your best judgment for your circumstances regarding attending worship during inclement

weather. Worship services will usually only be cancelled if town street are impassable. If school is cancelled or dismissed early on a Wednesday due to bad weather,

Kids Choir and Confirmation will not be held. If Wednesday school early out is cancelled due to a late start,

Kids Choir will be held after school until 4:30 and Confirmation will be held 4:00-5:00.

Palm Sunday Ecumenical Music Service Exira Lutheran Church is hosting a Palm Sunday ecumenical music service on

April 14th at 7:00 p.m. Coffee fellowship will follow the service. OSLC Senior Choir and area church choirs will be participating.

Congregational Meal Guidelines Advent Suppers, Lenten Suppers, etc.

*There is a budgeted amount for expenses incurred for congregational meals such as soup suppers. *Please charge all supplies (soup ingredients, sandwiches, bars, drinks, etc.) at Audubon Food Land to OSLC. You will be asked to sign a charge slip. Along with signing your name, indicate what you are purchasing supplies for (such as ―Soup Supper‖). This allows the church office to know where to categorize the expense as other groups also charge during the month. *If you need to purchase supplies somewhere other than Audubon Food Land and pay for them personally, please turn in a receipt for reimbursement within one week of the event. *If you have a free-will basket, the proceeds will go into the non-designated Memorial Fund unless a specific need has been pre-determined. *Since there is a budgeted expense for these meals, no one should need to incur personal expense when volunteering to help. Please consider your volunteer time as your donation.