NOTEWORTHY DATES

Feb. 6 Men’s Steak Night

Feb. 7 5:00p Stewardship Committee

Feb. 8 11:00a Senior Bible Study/Lunch at Village Diner

Feb. 12 5:30p Valentine Banquet - pg. 6 for ticket information

Feb. 13 9:30a Sewing for Orphan Grain Train

Feb. 14 6:00p Committees 7:00p Boards 7:00p Elders

Feb. 19 4:00p Senior Youth

Feb. 22 2:30p Calling & Caring—All Members Welcome please meet at Church

Mar. 1 Ash Wednesday 6:00p 5-8th Catechism 6:00p Choir Practice

6:45p Imposition of Ashes 7:00p Lenten Worship

Mar. 16-19 Upcoming Dates for LifeTouch Family Photos & Directory pg. 4

WEEKLY SCHEDULE Saturday Divine Service 5:00p

Sunday Divine Service 8:00a & 10:30a

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class 9:15a-10:15a

Tuesday Bible Study 9:30a-10:30a (rescheduled for warmer weather)

March 7th –April 11th, 25th and continues until November 28, 2017 exception Holidays. Wednesday Catechism Classes for 5th-8th 6:00p-6:45p

Choir Practice 6:00p

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 329

HASTINGS, NE 68901

906 N. California Ave. Hastings, NE 68901-4079 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

«AddressBlock»

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

www.peacelutheranhastings.org

Lamplighter

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Transfiguration

2. Lent, Building

3. Capital Campaign

Building Project

4. LWML, Church

Photo Directory

Men’s Steak Night

5. Prayers, Facts

& Stats

6. HLHS, Valentines

7. Defend Life

Thanks! F.I.R.E.

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday

9:00a-12:00p

1:00p-3:00p

(402) 462-9023

Secretary:

Mrs. Jeri Dush

Pastor:

Marcus J. Mackay

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH – HASTINGS, NE Church-Hastings, NE FEBRUARY 2017

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 ESV

Transfiguration

As a young boy, there was

something I longed to hear. There

was someone that I longed to hear.

There was nothing like when my dad-

dy looked at me and said, “good job

son.” Having my father’s love and ap-

proval meant the world to me!

February 5th is Transfiguration Sunday,

a fitting beginning to our Pre-Lent Sea-

son (the “Gesima” Sundays . . . Ash

Wednesday is March 1st).

On a high mountain, possibly

Mount Hermon or Mount Tabor,

there is another son . . . THE SON!

And He is longing to hear from His

father as well. With Peter, James and

John, there is Jesus, God in the flesh.

Can you see Him? His divinity is

showing! It’s blinding! His clothes are dazzling white! Lightning white! Whiter than

any bleach or Oxiclean on the earth! Heavenly white . . . DIVINE white! Matthew

says that Jesus’ “face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light,” (Matthew 17:2). Luke tells us that Jesus’ “face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning,” (Luke 9:29).

And so, lo and behold, Jesus is transfigured on the mountain. His divinity is

showing full blast! Peter, James and John are honored eyewitnesses of His heavenly

majesty. “and he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” (Matthew 17:2). The divine kingdom of God

has come in the reign of this dazzling Jesus. Salvation for the world has arrived. All

you have to do is look at Jesus. All you have to do is be pleased with Him!

Or do you? Are you? The looking lasted only for a while. After Peter’s sug-

gestion of three tents (not knowing what to say), “a bright cloud overshadowed them.” God the Father’s presence covers them. The Father of our Lord Jesus

speaks. Just like He did at Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan. And do you know what He

says? “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased; listen to him.”

And then? Well, the looking at Jesus ends. The Transfiguration of the Son

of God lasted only for a moment. And we, together with Peter, James and John are

given orders. What is this divine command from Daddy? “Listen to him.”

Now is the time of hearing! That’s exactly why the Evangelists Matthew,

Mark, Luke and John have recorded what Jesus preached and taught.

Page 2 Lamplighter February 2017

“Listen to Him!” That’s the entire point of Transfiguration and why we celebrate it. “Listen to Him!”

Why? “Because He’s my Son,” the Father says. And, “as my Son I’m absolutely delighted, pleased and thrilled by His divine words and His divine actions that He speaks and does FOR YOU. I AM WELL PLEASED.”

To have faith means to be pleased with Jesus. He is enough. Because Jesus is the one who gives Him-

self into death FOR YOU the sinner! Jesus bears all your sin in His body on the cross. Incredibly, Jesus, who

knew no sin was “made to be sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21)! Consequently, He experienced His Father’s entire

wrath against all your sin. He was made to be a “curse,” (Galatians 3:13). He was damned! FOR YOU! That’s

when He proclaimed: “IT IS FINISHED!” The salvation job for you was accomplished. Won. Achieved!

So we should be warned. The Father’s “Listen to Him!” is salvationly serious. You don’t have better

words than Jesus! Really! You don’t! Jesus’ words are divine. Yours are not. Jesus’ words are perfect and pure.

Yours aren’t. God is well pleased with Jesus, not you. Repent when you find pleasure in yourself or think that

you please God by your works. Receive His free gifts of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation . . . in your Bap-

tism, in the Absolution, in the reading and preaching of His Holy Word, in the His Body and Blood. In faith.

Listen to Jesus and you have salvation!

See you in the DIVINE Service!

Pastor Mackay (thanks to my good friend Rev. Brent Kuhlman for sharing much of this same Word with me)

Wednesdays in Lent

3/1 Ash Wed. Psalm 51:1-2 “When Mercy is All That We Can Ask For”

3/8 Lent 1 Psalm 51:3-5 LWML

“God’s Judgment is Justified”

3/15 Lent 2 Psalm 51:6-8 Sr. Youth “God Seeks Truth”

3/22 Lent 3 Psalm 51:9-13 Elders “A New Creation by the Mercy of God”

3/29 Lent 4 Psalm 51:14-15 Human Care & PR “God Opens Lips to Praise His Mercy”

4/5 Lent 5 Psalm 51:16-19 Sr. Youth “Sacrifices by the Mercy of God”

Service at 7pm

Supper served from 5:30 – 6:30pm

Lamplighter February 2017 Page 7

FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!

Let the love of Jesus burn in your hearts, and share it with our

youth!

Attend the FIRE banquet March 4 at the Adams Co. Fairgrounds

in Hastings.

It’s a fundraiser for Lutheran education in Adams Co., with an

elegant banquet, and live and silent auctions and fellowship (and

not only does the meal satisfy but your soul will be satisfied that

you’re spreading the news of Jesus!).

Tickets are $55/person or $800 for a table of ten. Purchase your

ticket at Ruhter Auction (463.8565), at Christ Lutheran-Juniata,

and at Zion Lutheran-Hastings. Don’t miss this wonderful op-

portunity to enjoy the company of others and to fund parochial

education! For more info: www.AcleaFire.org.

Ruth Nicolaus

Thanks to all of the Generous Ladies

for supplies and our special time to-

gether in making the Book Angels at

Christmas Time. Carol Krause

Thank You to the Ladies of the L.W.M. L. and Members

of Peace Lutheran Church for the prayers and cards after

my recent surgery. Your kindness has warmed my

heart! God’s Blessings, Ethel Schukei

DEFENDING THE DEFENSELESS

Since the tragic Roe vs. Wade decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme court on January 22,

1973, more than an estimated 60 million tiny human beings have been terminated before they had a

chance at life. Without question, we are up against formidable forces in the struggle to save babies.

However, with education, prayer, and unified action in the defense of the sanctity of human life,

there is hope for change. Pro-life organizations are gradually winning the battles for the hearts and

minds of the American people.

Murder is not the answer for the so-called unwanted child. At the National Prayer Breakfast in

Washington, D.C. on February 3, 1994, Mother Teresa said, “The greatest destroyer of peace today is

abortion. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching the people to love but to use any violence

to get what they want.”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have

it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV Joan Primrose

Page 6 Lamplighter February 2017

Peace

Lutheran

Choir

6:00p

Wednesday’s

Dave Witt

Dr. Phil

Parents

&

Acolytes

schedules

for the

8:00 AM.

and

10:30 AM. 5th-8th Graders

should sign up for at least one ser-vice per month.

Services are posted on

Monthly

Calendars

Thank You!

Altar Guild

Communion

Wine or

Donations are

always

appreciated!

Thanks to those

who have given.

Altar Guild

Our Lord, Love and Laughter Please join us at Peace Lutheran Church in Hastings

for a Valentine Dinner at 5:30pm followed by a

short Bible Study led by Pastor Mackay, a round of

the Match Game and a Valentine Activity. Purchase

tickets in advance from Peace Lutheran Board of Public Relations Members,

Lisa Novak, Vicki Haller or

Gwen Ruppert 402-984-4389 or Church Office 402-462-9023.

Tickets: $15 per couple $ 8 Individual

Sunday, February 12th 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Daycare will be Provided

www.peacelutheranhastings.org

906 N. California, Hastings, NE

Supporting our Heartland Lutheran

High School Students

With two families of our congregation attending our local Heart-

land Lutheran High School, we wanted to make sure Parishioners had the opportunity to give assistance if they desired. Financial support can

be given to Peace Lutheran students as a group or individually.

Prayerfully consider, and if you desire to help, a check can be

mailed to Heartland Lutheran High School, 3900 W Husker Hwy, Grand Island, NE 68803 . Please specify the name of the student or students

you wish to assist in the memo portion of your check.

Students currently attending Heartland Lutheran are:

Abbie Hoins & Malachi Mackay.

PLC Elders

Kevin Hoins

Wes Christensen

Dale Ellis

Ernesto Alvidrez

Don Nissen

Dale Grotelueschen

Roger Buck

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Lamplighter February 2017 Page 3

Open the Doors of Peace Construction Project Update

Construction Update - January

The new addition’s frame and

metal side wall are up. Ten percent of

the roof on the south side is up. The

weather is delaying the installation of

the rest of the roof. Once the building

is enclosed, the sub-contractors can

begin their interior work. The con-

struction will progress faster at this

time.

In addition, the exterior bricks

were ordered in November and will be

delivered at the end of February or the

first of March. The new double ovens

and kitchen cupboards are ordered and

are awaiting delivery times. The elec-

tricians are working in the elevator and

the stairwell east of the elevator is be-

ing constructed.

PLC Building Committee

Will you help us finish this project debt free by April 30th, 2017?

Amount Needed: $ 450,117.00

Please write “Open the Doors of Peace” on your check memo line and send to

Peace Lutheran Church, 906 N. California, Hastings, NE 68901. Every gift helps!

Page 4 Lamplighter February 2017

Men’s Steak

Night

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)

February 2017 Calendar of Events February 6 - Sewing for Orphan Grain Train at 9:30a.m.. Join the group to help

with quilt making. Do you want to help but don’t feel you know anything about

quilt making? Let the ladies teach you how.

February 18 – The Zone Planning Meeting for Officers is at 9:00 a.m. in Min-

den. February 25th is the planned snow date if necessary.

Diane Gundlach is supplying the Altar flowers for the month of February.

Thank you, Diane.

Please check out our card room located at the top of the stair across from the

office. Carol Hansel stocks a variety of cards and seasonal items as well. Take

time to browse then pay Carol for your purchase or stuff the money into the box

located on the wall. Paula Kehoe

Monday,

February 6th

at 6:00pm all men are invited to enjoy steak & fellowship! (eat

around 6:30pm) $12 p/person. We play cards & enjoy

beverage after a short Bible

Study. Join Us!

NEW CHURCH

PHOTO

DIRECTORY!

Mark your calen-

dars for March

16th-19th, 2017

16th-19th

We are looking for a few members that

could volunteer their time in

scheduling the

Portrait Times and serving as Hosts!

Please call the

Church Office

402-462-9023

DRIVER’S NEEDED!

to drive our Church Bus on

Sunday mornings. If you are

willing to drive please contact

Gary Ockinga (402-469-9797).

We Are looking for someone to host

a Ladies Night on March 23rd at 6:30pm

Do you have a special talent or craft idea you would like to share with your

Fellow Peace Ladies? Contact Gwen Ruppert at 402-984-4389 to schedule

a Ladies Night. Gwen Ruppert

LWML Reminder - Ladies if you wish to re-

ceive the Quarterlies and

Echoes please pay Janelle

Ham the $8 to reimburse

costs. Thank you.

Kay Krueger

Christian Life Chairman

Asleep in Jesus, Blessed Sleep + Harvey Herbert + Cleon Han-

sen + Buddy Martin Recovering from Surgery + Ethel Schukei

+ Shannon Blakley Expectant Mothers + Kayla Reutzel + Erica

Siebert + Jamie Thurin Hospitalized + Steve Portenier Health

Issues + Bruce Black + Artie Elshof + Liz Phennegar + Robin

Hinrichs + Linda Parsons + Kelly Pratt + Elisia Mendez Cancer

+ Ed Elshof + Clee Wolske + Nancy Grams + Marilyn Houston

+ Margaret Grotelueschen + Alissa Bousquet + Dee Anne Janssen + Patrick Sullivan + Military

+ Gary Thompson + Jon Bullard + Ross Peters

Lamplighter February 2017 Page 5

YTD Weekly Average Church Attendance 139

CURRENT

At 112%

OFFERINGS

BUDGETED

$ 234,087

$ 209,730

PROPERTY

At 103%

OFFERINGS

BUDGETED

$ 2,771

$ 2,700

SPECIAL

At 131%

OFFERINGS

BUDGETED

$ 3,813

$ 2,900

Open the Doors of Peace – Ending December 31, 2016

(figures include all monies that have been received from 2013 to present)

Pledged Donations $ 767,230

Non-Pledged Donations $ 30,412

Alan Koepke Pledge $ 35,030

LCEF Building Fund $ 5,480

Interest $ 3,465

Total expenses $ - 556,950

Respectfully Submitted,

Jan Hinze, Treasurer

Five Points Bank $ 51,378 LCEF Church Savings Fund $ 736

Memorial Funds $ 20,927 LCEF Endowment Fund $ 48,689

Property Funds $ 2,772 LCEF Youth Fund

(transferred to General Fund) $ 0

2016 Year-End Financial Summary Reports