March 2010 Newsletter

Behold The Hidden Glory Of The Cross!

We will continue to observe this season of repentance with special services. Come and ponder the hidden glory of the cross Wednesday nights at 6:30.

Feb. 17

Pastor Boehringer

"Hidden in the Savior's Solitude"

Feb. 24

Pastor Iwinski

"Hidden in the Savior's Rejection by His Own"

Mar. 3

Pastor Boehringer

"Hidden in the Savior's Sighs"

Mar. 10

Pastor Iwinski

"Hidden in the Savior's Stumbling"

Mar. 17

Pastor Boehringer

"Hidden in the Savior's Rejection by the World"

Mar. 24

Pastor Boehringer

"Hidden in the Savior's Powerful Words"

Apr. 1

Pastor Boehringer

"Hidden in the Savior's Feast"

Apr. 2

Pastor Boehringer

"Hidden in the Savior's Promises"

Apr. 4

Pastor Boehringer

"Hidden Even in the Savior's Triumph"



Holy Week Schedule

Holy Week will begin with Palm Sunday on March 28. We'll be offering three short devotional services at 6:30 am on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week. The services will last 10-15 minutes. Maundy Thursday service will begin at 6:30 pm. Good Friday's Service of the Cross of Christ also begin at 6:30 pm. We will rest and meditate on our Savior's cross on Holy Saturday at home. Resurrection Festival Service with Communion will begin at 9 am. Following the divine service we will enjoy an Easter brunch. (There won't be Sunday School or Bible Class on Easter Sunday.)



Easter Lilies

Karyn Yets has ordered a supply of Easter lilies. The cost to purchase a lily is $9.50. Please contact Karyn if you are interested.



MLC Softball Coming Soon

The Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) Softball team will be playing in the Augustana College Tournament on March 26-27. We'll need host families for the team on the nights of March 26-27.

Mar 27 @ 9 am

Dubuque

Mar 27 @ 1 pm

Finlandia

Mar 28 @ 9 am

River Falls

Mar 28 @ 1 pm

Wittenberg

All games are at the Green Valley Sports Complex, Rock Island



WLS Chorus To Cap Holy Week

An opportunity to hear an all-male choir doesn't come around very often. A chance to hear a choir of future pastors is really rare! The Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Chorus is coming to St. Paul's in Moline on March 31. The service is at 7:30 pm. Please consider this event in your schedule. It will be well worth your time. We are going to assist St. Paul's in preparing a meal for the seminarians Wednesday night at six o'clock. Please also speak to Pastor about hosting a pair of students the night of March 31. You'll need to prepare them breakfast and have them back to St. Paul's in the morning. They be departing at 8:30 am for Overland Park, Kansas.



Membership Changes Approved By The January Voters Meeting

New Member by Profession of Faith: Randy Fechner

New Members by Transfer: Paul Wirth and daughter Sarah

Peaceful Releases: Bob & Carolyn Gabrilson



The Theology Of The Cross

Our Lutheran Book Club continues to read and discuss this insightful book (Tuesdays, 7 pm). Here are some thoughts on this topic and this book:

In 1518 Martin Luther prepared a set of thesis for a debate to be held during a meeting of Augustinian monks at Heidelberg, Germany. In Theses 18-21 Luther brought up the subject of the theology of the cross. He would come back to this truth repeatedly during his career. The theology of the cross, however, was not new with Luther. The early church knew of this teaching because it is revealed in Scripture.

Although Professor Deutschlander’s book refers to Luther, this is not a book about Luther. [He] takes us back to the basis for Luther’s teaching; he takes us back to the Word. Frequent references to the Old and New Testaments make it clear that our salvation is found in the cross of Christ. Unfortunately sinful people tend to overlook the cross and its demands. Instead they focus on a glory which they believe they should enjoy now simply because they call themselves Christians. As a result they take their eyes off Jesus and turn their attention to themselves. This book deals with the seeming paradox between the theology of the cross and the theology of glory. In true Lutheran fashion Deutschlander plumbs the depths of “what does this mean” for our lives?

This volume deals with a weighty theological issue. Yet it is not simply a book on doctrine. This book is a devotional exercise. By posing questions and then exploring the rich responses of Scripture, Professor Deutschlander helps the reader to understand and to appreciate what God has done for us in Christ. At the same time he explores our relationship to Christ and the Savior’s impact on our daily lives. There is much here that is a practical application of Scripture to my life.

Too many today have lost sight of the forgiveness of sins won for us by Christ. They have replaced justification with an emphasis on sanctification, as if the Bible was nothing more than a “how-to-do” book; as if Christianity was nothing more than instruction in moral living. Deutschlander helps us to see that Christ’s cross is our cross. He reminds us that our good works have no value for our salvation. Yet our good works are valuable as fruits of faith done out of gratitude for God’s gift of salvation.

This book is a worthy addition to a professional and a personal library. It deepens our understanding and appreciation for God’s gift of life in Christ. It warns us of Satan’s efforts to turn us from Christ to ourselves. It comforts us with the assurance that the cross of Christ leads to heavenly glory.

Professor James F. Korthals

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary



Lutheran Women's Missionary Society Rally

Gethsemane is hosting the Spring Rally on Saturday, April 24.



Pulpit Recommendation

Remember that we are still seeking feedback on the recommendation to the Voters to remove and store the pulpit. The Voters will address this item at their next quarterly meeting on April 25.



Conference Meetings

The Wisillowa Conference is gathering in Elizabeth, Ill. for its spring meeting on April 12-13. WELS called workers from southwestern Wisconsin, central Illinois, and eastern Iowa are part of this conference.



Birthdays & Anniversaries

Mar. 2 Fred Johnson

Mar. 11 Brianna Curtin

Mar. 14 Aaron Dammann

Mar. 14 Matt Johnson

Mar. 14 Jim & Carol Berger

Mar. 16 Kaitlyn Weier

Mar. 17 Randy West

Mar. 18 Jim Clark

Mar. 20 Paul Grunewald

Mar. 23 Jerilyn Clark



March Worship Servants

Usher Captain

Jeff Yets

Ushers

Travis Yets, Rick Fechner, Paul Trier

Elder

Bill Mateski

Altar Care

Jessica Trier



March Church Cleaning

Mar. 7

Johnson

Mar. 14

Norm & Sharon Trier

Mar. 21

Loss

Mar. 28

Running